2023-06-08: 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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-18-07, Amendment 39-19734 (84 FR 50721, September 26, 2019); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-06-08 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-22394; Docket No. FAA-2022-1581; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00803-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 18, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2019-18-07, Amendment 39-19734 (84 FR 50721, September 26, 2019) (AD 2019-18-07). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes; certificated in any category, as identified in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0115, dated June 20, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0115). (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by widespread fatigue damage (WFD) evaluations and full-scale fatigue testing that revealed several broken frames in certain areas of the cargo compartment, and by the determination that additional work is needed for certain airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the open tack holes and rivet holes at the cargo floor support fittings of the fuselage. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the structural integrity of the airplane. (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 2022-0115. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0115 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0115 refers to January 3, 2014 (the effective date of EASA AD 2013-0310), this AD requires using October 2, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-17-14, Amendment 39-18247 (80 FR 52182, August 28, 2015) (AD 2015-17-14)). (2) Where EASA AD 2022-0115 refers to November 9, 2018 (the effective date of EASA AD 2018-0233 at original issue), this AD requires using October 31, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-18-07). (3) Where EASA AD 2022-0115 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2022-0115 specifies "contact Airbus for approved repair instructions and, within the compliance time identified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly" if a crack is detected, for this AD if any cracking is detected, the cracking must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (5) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0115 does not apply to this AD. (i) Additional FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2019-18-07 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0115 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD. (iii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2015-17-14 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2022-0115 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD. (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, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (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. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3228; email [email protected]. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (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. (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 2022-0115, dated June 20, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA AD 2022-0115, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on March 17, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-07752 Filed 4-12-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P