Discussion
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2018-0228, dated October 22, 2018 (``EASA AD 2018-0228'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus SAS Model A330-201, -202, and -203; and Model A330-301, -302, and -303 airplanes. The MCAI states:
Occurrences were reported on A330 aeroplanes fitted with General Electric CF6-80E1 engines, where the air inlet cowl inner barrel lower panel, was found disbonded between the back skins and the honeycomb core. The technical investigation results revealed that this occurrence may have been caused by freezing of water, accumulated in the non-drained honeycomb cells, damaging the adhesive bond between the panel core and the back skin.
This condition, if not corrected, in combination with an engine surge condition, could lead to in-flight detachment of an air inlet cowl inner barrel, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane, and/or injury to persons on the ground.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the inspection SB [Airbus Service Bulletin A330-71-3035] to provide instructions for [repetitive] detailed inspections (DET, tap test inspection method) of the air inlet cowl inner barrel lower panels, based on the Goodrich SB [Goodrich Aerospace Service Bulletin CF6- 80E1-NAC-71-048]. Airbus also developed mod [modification] 203989, installation of improved inner barrel lower panels, based on Goodrich Aerospace SB CF6-80E1-NAC-71-052, and published the modification SB [Airbus SB A330-71-3036] as terminating action.
For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires repetitive DET (tap tests) of the inner barrel lower panels of each affected part on both engines and, depending on findings, replacement with an improved inner barrel lower panel [which terminates the repetitive inspections]. This [EASA] AD also allows, in case of no findings, the modification SB [Airbus SB A330-71-3036 (replacement with an improved inner barrel lower panel) to be accomplished] as optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2018-0228 describes procedures for repetitive detailed inspections of the engine air inlet cowls, and corrective actions. Corrective actions include an inspection of the inlet anti-ice seal installation, modification of affected parts, and replacement of damaged inlet anti-ice seals. This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section and it is publicly available through the EASA website.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Requirements of This AD
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD 2018-0228 described previously, as incorporated by reference, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. As a result, EASA AD 2018-0228 is incorporated by reference in the FAA final rule. This AD, therefore, requires compliancewith the provisions specified in EASA AD 2018-0228, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Service information specified in EASA AD 2018-0228 that is required for compliance with EASA AD 2018-0228 is available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
[[Page 14601]]
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0191.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary. In addition, for the reasons stated above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0191; Product Identifier 2018-NM-161-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, we provide the following cost estimates to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $850 per $2,814 per inspection cycle...... $3,664 per inspection cycle.
inspection cycle. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Costs for Optional Actions ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up to 172 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $184,124 per engine........ Up to $198,744 per engine.
$14,620 per engine. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition actions that would be required based on the results of any required actions. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up to 172 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $184,124 per engine........ Up to $198,744 per engine.
$14,620 per engine. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs isnormally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. Will not have a significant economic impact,positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.