[Federal Register: April 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 63)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17109-17111]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01ap04-31]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-277-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-
300 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 certain Airbus Model A330, A340-
200, and A340-300 series airplanes. This proposal would require
inspecting the ram air turbine actuator (RAT) to determine its serial
number; and re-identifying the RAT actuator, inspecting the RAT
actuator to determine whether the rotary solenoids are in the correct
position, and replacing the RAT actuator, as applicable. This action is
necessary to prevent failure of the RAT actuator to deploy when
necessary during flight, which could result in 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. 2003-NM-277-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. 2003-NM-277-AD'' in the 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: Gary Lium, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1112; 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
[[Page 17110]]
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 2003-NM-277-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. 2003-NM-277-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 certain Airbus Model A330, A340-200,
and A340-300 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during ground
tests on a Model A330 series airplane, the ram air turbine (RAT)
actuator failed to deploy when commanded. Investigation revealed that
the failure was caused by incorrectly adjusted rotary solenoids in the
RAT actuator. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure
of the RAT actuator to deploy when necessary during flight, which could
result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
The same RAT actuator part numbers that are installed on Model A330
series airplanes are also installed on Model A340-200 and -300 series
airplanes. Therefore, those airplanes may be subject to the same unsafe
condition revealed on the Model A330 series airplanes.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-29-3083, dated August 6,
2002; and A340-29-4064, Revision 01, dated August 8, 2002. Those
service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting the RAT actuator
to determine its serial number, and re-identifying RAT actuators that
are not affected (i.e., subject to additional inspection) with a new
part number. For a RAT actuator with an affected serial number, the
service bulletins describe procedures for performing a detailed
inspection of the RAT actuator to determine whether the rotary
solenoids are in the correct position; and replacing the RAT actuator
with a new or serviceable actuator (including adjusting and testing the
replaced RAT), or re-identifying the RAT actuator with a new part
number, as applicable. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
applicable service bulletin is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these service
bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 2002-
422(B) R1 and 2002-423(B) R1, both dated January 22, 2003, to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
The Airbus service bulletins refer to Hamilton Sundstrand Service
Bulletin ERPS06M-29-16, dated July 18, 2002; and Liebherr-Aerospace
Service Bulletin 1560A-29-03, dated July 8, 2002; as additional sources
of service information for identifying and inspecting subject RAT
actuators, determining whether inspection findings are within
acceptable limits, and re-identifying actuators if necessary.
FAA's Conclusions
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. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has 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 bulletins described
previously, except as discussed below.
Difference Between This Proposed AD and Service Bulletins
Although the Liebherr-Aerospace service bulletin described
previously specifies completing and returning a sheet recording
compliance with that service bulletin, this proposed AD would not
require this action.
Although the Airbus and Liebherr-Aerospace service bulletins
described previously specify returning removed actuators to Liebherr-
Aerospace for inspection, this proposed AD would not require this
action.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 9 Model A330 series airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed
inspection, 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 $2,340, or $260 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 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.
Currently, there are no affected Model A340-200 or -300 airplanes
on the U.S. Register. However, if an affected airplane is imported and
placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it will be subject to the
same costs stated above for the Model A330 series airplanes.
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
[[Page 17111]]
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 2003-NM-277-AD.
Applicability: Model A330, A340-200, and 340-300 series
airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with a ram air
turbine (RAT) module, Model ERPS06M, having part number (P/N)
766351, 768084, 770379, 770952, or 770952A; and containing RAT
actuator P/N 5911905, 5911326, or 5913234.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the RAT actuator to deploy when necessary
during flight, which could result in reduced controllability of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
Service Bulletin Reference
(a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins listed in
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD. Although these service
bulletins specify returning removed actuators to Liebherr-Aerospace
for inspection, this AD does not require this action.
(1) For Model A330 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin
A330-29-3083, dated August 6, 2002.
(2) For Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes: Airbus Service
Bulletin A340-29-4064, Revision 01, dated August 8, 2002.
Note 1: The service bulletins refer to Hamilton Sundstrand
Service Bulletin ERPS06M-29-16, dated July 18, 2002; and Liebherr-
Aerospace Service Bulletin 1560A-29-03, dated July 8, 2002; as
additional sources of service information for identifying and
inspecting subject RAT actuators, determining whether inspection
findings are within acceptable limits, and re-identifying actuators
if necessary. Although the Liebherr-Aerospace service bulletin
specifies completing and returning a sheet recording compliance with
that service bulletin and returning removed actuators for
inspection, this AD does not require these actions.
Serial Number Inspection
(b) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the RAT actuator to determine its serial number (S/N), per
the applicable service bulletin. If the RAT actuator has a S/N
greater than 1286, re-identify the RAT actuator, per the applicable
service bulletin. No further action is required by this paragraph.
Inspection to Determine Position of Rotary Solenoids
(c) If the RAT actuator has a S/N less than or equal to 1286:
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-
time detailed inspection of the RAT actuator to determine whether
the rotary solenoids are in the correct position, per the applicable
service bulletin.
(1) If the position of the rotary solenoids is within the limits
specified in the applicable service bulletin: Before further flight,
re-identify the RAT actuator, per the applicable service bulletin.
(2) If the position of the rotary solenoids is outside the
limits specified in the applicable service bulletin: Before further
flight, replace the RAT actuator with a new or serviceable actuator,
per the applicable service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
Parts Installation
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any airplane, a RAT actuator having P/N 5911905, 5911326, or
5913234, unless the actions required by this AD are accomplished.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 2002-422(B) R1 and 2002-423(B) R1, both
dated January 22, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7293 Filed 3-31-04; 8:45 am]
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