2021-16-03: Wings

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n((Page 47557)) \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-16-03 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-21665; Docket No. FAA-2021-0142; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01400-T. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 30, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0220, dated October 13, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0220). \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code57, Wings. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by in-production findings of missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at specific locations in the wing tanks. The FAA is issuing this AD to address missing or incorrectly applied sealant, which in combination with an undetected incorrect installation of an adjacent fastener and a lightning strike in the immediate area, could result in ignition of the fuel-air mixture inside the affected fuel tanks and loss of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2020-0220. \n\n(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0220 \n\n\n\t(1) Where EASA AD 2020-0220 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) The ''Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0220 does not apply to this AD. \n\t(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2020-0220 gives a compliance time of ''the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 6 years since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD,'' for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD. \n\t(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before exceeding 6 years since Airbus date of manufacture, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(ii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0220 refers to ''discrepancies,'' for this AD, discrepancies include missing or incorrectly applied sealant. \n\n(i) Other FAA AD Provisions \n\n\n\tThe following provisions also apply to this AD: \n\t(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. \n\t(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, theapproval must include the DOA-authorized signature. \n\t(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Nick Wilson, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3230; email [email protected]. \n\n(k) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0220, dated October 13, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For EASA AD 2020-0220, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. \n\t(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,call 206-231-3195. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0142. \n\t(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on July 21, 2021. Gaetano A. Sciortino, Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-18332 Filed 8-25-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P