[Federal Register: November 5, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 214)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64504-64506]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no04-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19542; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-282-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-622R and A300 F4-
622R Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-622R and A300 F4-622R airplanes. This
proposed AD would require doing a one-time inspection to determine if
lower guide fittings for the forward doors are installed in the correct
positions, and corrective action if
[[Page 64505]]
necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports that lower guide
fittings for the forward doors were found installed in the wrong
positions at frames 14 and 16A. We are proposing this AD to prevent
difficulty opening the forward doors, which could impede an emergency
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 6,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical Information: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
Plain Language Information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Docket Management System (DMS)
The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19542;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-282-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.Examining
the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-622R and
A300 F4-622R airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during the delivery
process of an airplane, lower guide fittings for the forward doors were
found installed in the wrong positions at frames 14 and 16A.
Inspections on the production line revealed that other airplanes may
also have lower guide fittings for the forward doors installed in the
wrong positions. This condition, if not corrected, could cause
difficulty opening the forward doors, which could impede an emergency
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-53-6140, Revision 01, dated
November 24, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for a
detailed visual inspection to determine if lower guide fittings for the
forward doors are installed in the correct positions, based on which
part number is installed in which location. Corrective action, if any
lower guide fitting is installed in the wrong position, includes re-
installing the lower guide fitting in the correct position, or
replacing the lower guide fitting with a new, improved guide fitting,
as applicable. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The
DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness
directive 2003-292(B), dated August 6, 2003, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. According to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the
situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between
the Proposed AD and Service Information.''
[[Page 64506]]
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information
The Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service bulletin
describe procedures for reporting inspection findings to the
manufacturer. This proposed AD would not require this.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
In this proposed AD, the ``detailed visual inspection'' specified
in the Airbus service bulletin is referred to as a ``detailed
inspection.'' We have included the definition for a detailed inspection
in a note in this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 25 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $3,250, or $130
per airplane.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2004-19542; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-
282-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by December 6, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-622R
airplanes, serial numbers 0797 and 0836; and Model A300 F4-622R
airplanes, serial numbers 0805 through 0828 inclusive; certificated
in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports that lower guide fittings
for the forward doors were found installed in the wrong positions at
frames 14 and 16A. We are issuing this AD to prevent difficulty
opening the forward doors, which could impede an emergency
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.
Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified,
unless the actions have already been done.
Inspection and Corrective Action
(f) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
do a one-time detailed inspection to determine if lower guide
fittings for the forward doors are installed in the correct
positions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6140, Revision 01, dated November
24, 2003.
(1) If the lower guide fittings are installed in the correct
positions: No further action is required by this AD.
(2) If any lower guide fitting is not installed in the correct
position: Before further flight, re-install the lower guide fitting
in the correct position, or replace the lower guide fitting with a
new, improved guide fitting, as applicable, in accordance with the
service bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Issue of Service
Bulletin
(g) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin
A300-53-6140, dated June 12, 2003, are considered acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.
No Reporting Requirement
(h) The Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin
A300-53-6140, Revision 01, dated November 24, 2003, describe
procedures for reporting inspection findings to the manufacturer.
This AD does not require this.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) French airworthiness directive 2003-292(B), dated August 6,
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 27, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24731 Filed 11-4-04; 8:45 am]
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