[Federal Register: July 19, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 137)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 41354-41356]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19jy05-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21860; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-032-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-
200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (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 A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require operators to modify
the hydraulic control block of the nose landing gear. This proposed AD
is prompted by a report of an unexpected steering event (swerve) during
the take-off roll of one affected airplane. We are proposing this AD to
prevent loss of airplane steering while on the ground, which could
result in the airplane going off the side of the runway.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 18, 2005.
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. This
docket number is FAA-2005-21860; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2005-NM-032-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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-2005-21860;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-032-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
[[Page 41355]]
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.
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 A330-200, A330-300,
A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that a Model
A340 series airplane had an unexpected steering event (swerve) during
its take-off roll, while traveling at 47 knots. Analysis showed that
the event was caused by a braking and steering control unit (BSCU)
channel 1 fault, followed by a loss of the nose wheel steering (NWS).
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the loss of airplane
steering while on the ground, and the airplane going off the side of
the runway.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3156, and Airbus
Service Bulletin A340-32-4194, both dated December 22, 2004. The
service bulletins describe procedures for modifying the hydraulic
control block (HCB) of the nose landing gear by adding a check valve
between the selector valve and the servo valve. 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 F-2005-016, dated January 19,
2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
France.
The service bulletins refer to Messier-Bugatti Service Bulletin
C24856-32-064, dated January 26, 2005, as an additional source of
service information for modifying the HCB.
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. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA 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.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 22 Model A330-200 and A330-300
airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 39
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
There is no charge for required parts. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $55,770, or
$2,535 per airplane.
There are currently no Model A340-200 or Model A340-300 airplanes
on the U.S. Register. Should one of these airplanes be imported and
placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the proposed actions would
take about 39 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 would be $2,535 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
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-2005-21860; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
032-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by August 18, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223,
-243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes;
[[Page 41356]]
and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes;
certificated in any category; with hydraulic control block (HCB)
part number (P/N) C24856000-9 or C24856001-7.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of an unexpected steering
event (swerve) during the take-off roll of one affected airplane. We
are issuing this AD to prevent loss of airplane steering while on
the ground, which could result in the airplane going off the side of
the runway.
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.
Modification
(f) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify
the hydraulic control block (HCB) in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin in
paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3156, dated December 22,
2004, for Model A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes.
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4194, dated December 22,
2004, for Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes.
Note 1: The Airbus service bulletins refer to Messier-Bugatti
Service Bulletin C24856-32-064, dated January 26, 2005, as an
additional source of service information for doing the modification.
Parts Installation
(g) After the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane an HCB having P/N C24856000-9 or C24856001-7, unless
it has been modified in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, 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
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-016, dated January 19,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-14172 Filed 7-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P