[Federal Register: September 19, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 180)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 54852-54854]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19se05-13]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 54852]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22455; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-095-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and
F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes
(Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes); and Model A310-300
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 A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series
airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called
A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310-300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require inspecting the pilot's and co-pilot's seats
to determine if a certain actuator having a certain part number is
installed, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD results
from a production defect found in certain actuators during overhaul of
the pilot's and co-pilot's seats. We are proposing this AD to prevent
uncommanded movement of the pilot's or co-pilot's seat, which could
result in interference with the operation of the airplane and
consequent temporary loss of airplane control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 19,
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.
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.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-
116, International Branch, 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. Include the docket number ``FAA-
2005-22455; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-095-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 received 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
that 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket Management System
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 B4-600, B4-
600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and Model
A310-300 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that a production defect
(abnormal wear of the gear at the end of the rotor shaft) was found on
certain actuators during overhaul of the pilot's and co-pilot's seats.
That defect could cause a deficiency in the seat control system and
consequent uncommanded horizontal movement of the seats which is
hazardous at high speeds during takeoff. Further investigation revealed
that a batch of actuators were equipped with defective rotor shafts.
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in uncommanded
movement of the pilot's or co-pilot's seat, which could result in
interference with the operation of the airplane and consequent
temporary loss of airplane control.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A300-25-6194 (for A300-600
series airplanes) and A310-25-2182 (for A310-300 series airplanes),
both dated February 1, 2005. The service bulletins describe procedures
for inspecting the pilot's and co-pilot's seats to determine if a
certain actuator having a certain part number (P/N) is installed, and
corrective action if necessary. The corrective action includes
replacing any affected actuator with a new actuator. Accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately
address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the
[[Page 54853]]
service information and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-
038, dated March 2, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in France.
The proposed AD refers to Sogerma-Services Service Bulletin TAA12-
25-616, dated November 30, 2004, as an additional source of service
information for accomplishing the actuator replacement.
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 airplanes 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 Airbus service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between
the Proposed AD and Service Information.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information
The French airworthiness directive requires inspecting the pilot's
and co-pilot's seats to determine if a certain seat having a certain P/
N is installed, and if a certain actuator with a certain P/N is
installed on the seat, but this proposed AD does not require an
inspection for the P/N of the seat. The P/Ns for the seats are
identified in the applicability section of this proposed AD; therefore,
an inspection for that P/N is not necessary. Therefore, this AD
requires an inspection for the actuator P/Ns only.
Although the service bulletins referenced in this proposed AD
specify to submit an inspection report to the manufacturer, this
proposed AD does not include that requirement.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 169 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour 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 $10,985, or $65
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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-22455; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
095-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October
19, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620,
and B4-622 airplanes, A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes, A300 F4-
605R and F4-622R airplanes, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes;
and Airbus Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes;
certificated in any category; equipped with Sogerma Socea powered
seats having part number (P/N) TAAI2-13PE00-01, -13PE01-01, -13CE00-
01, or 13CE01-01 installed.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a production defect found in certain
actuators during overhaul of the pilot's and co-pilot's seats. We
are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded movement of the pilot's
or co-pilot's seat, which could result in interference with the
operation of the airplane and consequent temporary loss of airplane
control.
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 for Actuator Part Numbers and Corrective Action
(f) Within 600 flight hours or 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, whichever is first: Inspect to determine if a Messier
Bugatti (Labinal) actuator with P/N 4136290004 or 4136290005 is
installed on the pilot's or co-pilot's seat by doing all the actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A310-25-2182 (for A310-300 series airplanes) or A300-25-
6194 (for A300-600 series airplanes), both dated February 1, 2005,
as applicable.
(1) If no actuator with the identified P/N is installed, no
further action is required by this paragraph.
(2) If any actuator with any identified P/N is installed: Within
6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the affected
actuator with a new actuator in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the applicable service bulletin.
Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletins A310-25-2182 and A300-25-6194,
both dated February 1, 2005, reference Sogerma-Services Service
Bulletin TAA12-25-616, dated November 30, 2004, as an additional
source of service information for accomplishing the actuator
replacement.
[[Page 54854]]
Parts Installation
(g) After the effective date of this AD, no Messier Bugatti
(Labinal) actuator with P/N 4136290004 or 4136290005 may be
installed on any airplane.
No Reporting Required
(h) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify
to submit an inspection report to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 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 F-2005-038, dated March 2,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 9, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18530 Filed 9-16-05; 8:45 am]
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