[Federal Register: September 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 188)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56853-56854]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28se06-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 56853]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25421; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-074-AD;
Amendment 39-14770; AD 2006-20-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 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 all
Airbus Model A310 airplanes. This AD requires revising the Limitations
section of the airplane flight manual by incorporating restrictions for
high altitude operations. This AD results from several incidents of
pitch oscillations with high vertical loads that occurred during
turbulence at high altitudes. We are issuing this AD to prevent pitch
oscillations during turbulence, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 2, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 2,
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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Airbus Model A310
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 24,
2006 (71 FR 41744). That NPRM proposed to require revising the
Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) by
incorporating restrictions for high altitude operations.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We received no comments on the 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.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 62 airplanes of U.S. registry. It takes
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required AFM
revision, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $4,960, or
$80 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 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:
[[Page 56854]]
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):
2006-20-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-14770. Docket No. FAA-2006-25421;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-074-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective November 2, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A310 airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from several incidents of pitch oscillations
with high vertical loads that occurred during turbulence at high
altitudes. We are issuing this AD to prevent pitch oscillations
during turbulence, which could result in reduced controllability of
the airplane.
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.
Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
(f) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations section of the Airbus A310 AFM to include the
information in Airbus A310 Temporary Revision (TR) 2.03.00/21, dated
April 11, 2005. This may be done by inserting a copy of the TR into
the AFM. When the information in the TR has been included in the
general revisions of the AFM, those general revisions may be
inserted into the AFM, provided the relevant information in the
general revisions is identical to that in the TR.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
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
(h) French airworthiness directive F-2005-114, dated July 6,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Airbus A310 Temporary Revision 2.03.00/21,
dated April 11, 2005, to the Airbus A310 Airplane Flight Manual, 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 this document 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
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8228 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am]
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