2022-08-08: Fuselage

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-08-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22011; Docket No. FAA-2022-0091; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01123-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 26, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects AD 2020-20-05, Amendment 39-21261 (85 FR 65197, October 15, 2020) (AD 2020-20-05). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0227, dated October 11, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0227). (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes. (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes. (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes. (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports that, during inspections accomplished as specified in certain airworthiness limitation items (ALIs), cracks were detected in the double joggle areas at frame (FR) 16 and FR20 in the nose forward fuselage. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks in these areas, which, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the fuselage. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0227. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0227 (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0227 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0227 does not apply to this AD. (3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2021-0227 specifies to "contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly" if any cracks are detected, for this AD if any cracking is detected, the cracking must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (4) Where paragraphs (3) and (4) of EASA AD 2021-0227 specify "Airbus approved repair instructions," or "post-repair inspection instructions approved by Airbus," for this AD, to be acceptable for credit, the repair instructions must be approved by Airbus SAS's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA authorized signature. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0227 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements in AD 2020-20-05 Accomplishing the initial inspections required by this AD terminates ALI Tasks 531153-02-1, 531153-02-2, 531155-02-1 and 531155-02-2, as required by paragraph (i) of AD 2020-20-05 only for the airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this AD. (k) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (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 (l) 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. (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 DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by paragraphs (h)(3), (i), and (k)(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. (l) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone 206-231-3229; email [email protected]. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0227, dated October 11, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2021-0227, 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. (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. (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. Issued on April 4, 2022. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-08494 Filed 4-20-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P