Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0008, dated January 10, 2018 (referred to after this as the
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Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A350-941 airplanes. The MCAI states:
Following an Airbus quality control review on the final assembly line, it was identified that short retaining pins may have inadvertently been installed at the incorrect location of the main landing gear support structure (MLGSS) forward pintle. On the A350, two short retaining pins are installed through the fuse pin carrier and four long retaining pins are installed through the trunnion block. These six retaining pins are to prevent rotation and migration of the fuse pins.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could leadto premature failure of the retaining pin, subsequent fuse pin migration and disconnection, with consequent main landing gear collapse, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to the occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued Service Bulletin (SB) A350-57-P011 to provide inspection instructions.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one- time detailed inspection (DET) of the four retaining pins installed in the MLGSS trunnion block, both left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) sides [for nonconforming (incorrect) pins, i.e., those having a gap between the retaining pin and the forward surface of the trunnion block], and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable [related investigative actions, i.e., a detailed inspection for damage or deformation of nonconforming pins and] corrective action(s) [including repairing or replacing damaged (cracked), deformed, or nonconforming retaining pins].
You may examinethe MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018- 0490.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A350-57-P011, dated May 17, 2017. This service information describes procedures for a detailed inspection of the four retaining pins installed in the MLGSS trunnion block, left- and right-hand sides, and related investigative and corrective actions. This service information 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.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
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 and service informationreferenced 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.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since none of the affected aircraft are currently on the U.S. Register, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary.
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-2018-0490; Product Identifier 2018-NM-018-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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510.... $0 $510 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary on-condition replacements 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 replacements:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Up to 16 work-hours x $85 per Up to $16,000.. Up to $17,360
hour = Up to $1,360. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, wehave included all known costs in our cost estimate.
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,
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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 is normally 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 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.