[Federal Register: April 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 63)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17111-17113]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01ap04-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-201-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A310 series
airplanes. This proposal would require inspecting the pressure-off
brakes (POBs) installed on the power control units of the slats and
flaps to determine their serial numbers; and replacing any POBs having
affected serial numbers with new, serviceable, or modified POBs. This
action is necessary to prevent failure of the retaining ring on the
POBs, which could result in slat or flap blowback or runaway, with
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 3, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-201-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-201-AD'' in the
[[Page 17112]]
subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via
the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in
Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example,
discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change
the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to
the proposed AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data)
for each request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-201-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2001-NM-201-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on all Airbus Model A310 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that the manufacturer has found that some
pressure-off brakes (POBs) installed on the power control units of the
slats and flaps have been operated beyond the allowable life limit of
12,000 flight cycles. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
failure of the retaining ring on the POBs, which could result in slat
or flap blowback or runaway, with consequent reduced controllability of
the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated
September 19, 2001, which describes procedures for inspecting the POBs
installed on the power control units of the slats and flaps to
determine the serial numbers of those POBs, and replacing affected POBs
with new, serviceable, or modified POBs. The DGAC classified a previous
issue of that service bulletin as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directive 2001-185(B), dated May 16, 2001, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
The Airbus service bulletin refers to Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg
Service Bulletin 511A0100-27-03, dated November 16, 2000, as the
appropriate source of information for identifying the serial numbers of
POBs that must be replaced, and as a source for additional service
information for replacing the POBs.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is 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. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the Airbus service bulletin described
previously, except as discussed below.
Differences Between Proposed AD and Referenced Service Bulletins
Operators should note the following differences among the proposed
AD and referenced service bulletins:
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the
referenced service bulletins describe procedures for reporting
inspection results to the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not
require such reporting.
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the
Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg service bulletin specify that POBs with
affected serial numbers must be returned to the POB manufacturer, this
proposed AD would not require this action.
Although the Airbus service bulletin states
that, ``if the affected POB is not available,'' the POB may be replaced
at the next scheduled ``A''-check, this proposed AD would require
replacement of any affected POB with a new, serviceable, or modified
POB before further flight. We have determined that the compliance time
of 18 months for performing the required inspection to determine
whether an affected POB is installed on the airplane provides an
appropriate interval of time in which any required parts can be
obtained.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by
this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor
rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,990, or $65 per
airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost
[[Page 17113]]
impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the
time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the
AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as
the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus: Docket 2001-NM-201-AD.
Applicability: All Model A310 series airplanes; certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the retaining ring on the pressure-off
brakes (POBs) of the power control units of the slats and flaps,
which could result in slat or flap blowback or runaway, with
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Inspection
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD:
Inspect the identification plates of the POBs installed on the power
control units of the slats and flaps to determine the serial numbers
of the POBs, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated September
19, 2001.
Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01,
dated September 19, 2001, refers to Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg
Service Bulletin 511A0100-27-03, dated November 16, 2000, as the
appropriate source for identifying affected serial numbers of POBs,
and as an additional source of service information for replacing
affected POBs.
Replacement
(b) For any POB with an affected serial number, as identified in
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated September
19, 2001: Before further flight, replace the POB with a new or
serviceable POB that does not have an affected serial number, or
with a POB that has been modified per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01,
dated September 19, 2001. Replace the POB per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01,
dated September 19, 2001.
Actions Accomplished Previously
(c) Inspections and replacements accomplished before the
effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096,
dated March 21, 2001, are acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding actions required by this AD.
Parts Installation
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any airplane, a POB with a part number and serial number listed
in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated
September 19, 2001.
No Reporting or Return of Parts Is Required
(e) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify
to submit certain information and return POBs with affected serial
numbers to the POB manufacturer, this AD does not include such a
requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2001-185(B), dated May 16, 2001.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7292 Filed 3-31-04; 8:45 am]
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