[Federal Register: June 21, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 119)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 35507-35509]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jn06-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19566; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-72-AD;
Amendment 39-14657; AD 2006-13-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 Series
Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series
Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called
A300-600 Series Airplanes)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus airplanes as listed above. This AD requires repetitively
inspecting for cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the inner flap on
the wings, and performing related investigative/corrective actions if
necessary. This AD also requires eventual replacement of nose rib 7
with a new, improved rib, which would terminate the inspections. This
AD results from reports of cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the
inner flap. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking in the web of
nose rib 7, which could result in rupture of the attachment fitting
between the inner flap and flap track 2, and consequent reduced
structural integrity of the flap.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 26, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 26, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 street address stated in the
ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a second supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to
certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes; and Model
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes).
That second supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
March 27, 2006 (71 FR 15084). The second supplemental NPRM proposed to
require repetitively inspecting for
[[Page 35508]]
cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the inner flap on the wings,
performing related investigative/corrective actions if necessary, and
eventually replacing nose rib 7 with a new, improved rib to terminate
the inspections.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the second
supplemental NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed
in the second supplemental NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD, at an average labor rate of $65 per hour.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Work Cost per U.S.-
Action hours Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
airplanes
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Inspection, per inspection cycle.. 3 None............... $195 143 $27,885, per
inspection cycle.
Rib replacement................... 10 $10,980............ 11,630 143 $1,663,090.
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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 AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-13-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-14657. Docket No. FAA-2004-19566;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-72-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective July 26, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C,
B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, B4-203, B4-601, B4-603, B4-605R, B4-620, B4-
622, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes;
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus
Modification 13031 or 19575 was accomplished in production.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the web of
nose rib 7 of the inner flap. We are issuing this AD to prevent
cracking in the web of nose rib 7, which could result in rupture of
the attachment fitting between the inner flap and flap track 2, and
consequent reduced structural integrity of the flap.
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.
Inspections
(f) Do a detailed inspection, using a borescope or endoscope,
for cracking of the vertical stiffeners, and of the horizontal
flanges between the stiffeners, of nose rib 7 of the inner flap of
the left- and right-hand wings; and do an eddy current inspection to
detect cracking in the horizontal flanges of the attachment lug root
of nose rib 7 of the inner flap of the left- and right-hand wings;
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-57-0240 or A300-57-6095, both Revision 01, both dated
December 2, 2004, as applicable. Do the initial inspections at the
applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2)
of this AD.
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.''
(1) For airplanes on which nose rib 7 has not been replaced in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0242 or A300-57-
6097, both dated December 18, 2003: Do the initial inspections at
the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii)
of this AD.
(i) For airplanes with 18,599 or fewer total flight cycles as of
the effective date of this
[[Page 35509]]
AD: Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight cycles, or
within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever is later.
(ii) For airplanes with 18,600 or more total flight cycles as of
the effective date of this AD: Within 500 flight cycles after the
effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes on which nose rib 7 has been replaced in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0242 or A300-57-
6097, both dated December 18, 2003: Do the initial inspection within
5,000 flight cycles after accomplishing the replacement, or within
1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever
is later.
No Crack Found: Repetitive Inspections
(g) If no crack is found during the inspection required by
paragraph (f) of this AD: Repeat the inspection at intervals not to
exceed 1,000 flight cycles, until the terminating action in
paragraph (i) of this AD is completed.
Crack Found: Related Investigative/Corrective Actions
(h) If any crack is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (f) or (g) of this AD: Before further flight, replace nose
rib 7 with a new, improved rib and do all related investigative
actions and applicable corrective actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0245,
Revision 01; or A300-57-6100, Revision 01; both dated March 9, 2006;
as applicable; except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. This
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of
this AD for the modified flaps only.
Terminating Action
(i) Within 5,000 flight cycles or 36 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is first: Replace nose rib 7 with a new,
improved rib and do all related investigative actions and applicable
corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0245, Revision 01;
or A300-57-6100, Revision 01; both dated March 9, 2006; as
applicable; except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. This
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of
this AD.
Repairing Per the FAA or Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation
Civile (DGAC)
(j) If any crack or damage is found for which the applicable
service bulletin specifies to contact Airbus: Before further flight,
repair per a method approved by either the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the DGAC
(or its delegated agent).
No Reporting Required
(k) Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-0240 and A300-57-6095, both
Revision 01, both dated December 2, 2004, specify to submit certain
information to the manufacturer, but this AD does not include that
requirement.
Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Initial Issue of Service
Bulletins
(l) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0245 or A300-57-
6100, both dated August 31, 2005, are acceptable for compliance with
the requirements of paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(m)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance
with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(n) French airworthiness directive F-2005-198, dated December 7,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(o) You must use the applicable service information identified
in Table 1 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these
documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for a copy of this service information. You may review
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Revision
Airbus Service Bulletin level Date
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A300-57-0240.................. 01 December 2, 2004.
A300-57-0245.................. 01 March 9, 2006.
A300-57-6095.................. 01 December 2, 2004.
A300-57-6100.................. 01 March 9, 2006.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5530 Filed 6-20-06; 8:45 am]
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