[Federal Register: November 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 214)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64904-64906]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06no06-8]
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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 64904]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26250; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-104-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)
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 A300-600 airplanes. This proposed AD would
require an inspection to determine if certain spoiler actuators having
certain part numbers are installed, and eventual replacement of all
affected actuators. This proposed AD results from failure of a
distribution block, which was detected during fatigue qualification
tests of certain spoiler actuators. We are proposing this AD to prevent
failure of the distribution block, which could result in leakage of the
hydraulic fluid that supplies those actuators. This failure could cause
failure of one of the three spoiler actuators and the associated
hydraulic circuits, which could result in loss of those hydraulic
circuits and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 6,
2006.
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: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1622; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26250; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-104-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 A300-600 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that during fatigue qualification tests of
certain spoiler actuators a failure of the distribution block was
detected. This failure could lead to a leak of the hydraulic fluid that
supplies the actuator, and could cause failure of one of the three
spoiler actuators and the associated hydraulic circuits, which could
result in loss of those hydraulic circuits. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, including Appendix
01, dated May 17, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for
an inspection to determine if certain spoiler actuators having certain
part numbers are installed, and eventual replacement of all affected
actuators. 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-2005-125, dated July 20, 2005, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
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
[[Page 64905]]
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 service information
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 1 airplane of U.S. registry.
The proposed inspection would take about 1 hour per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $80 per hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed inspection for U.S. operators is $80.
The proposed replacements, if accomplished, would take about 5 work
hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour.
Required parts cost would be minimal. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed replacements for U.S. operators is $400.
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-2006-26250; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
104-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December
6, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 airplanes;
certificated in any category; as identified in Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-27-6057, dated May 17, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from failure of a distribution block, which
was detected during fatigue qualification tests of certain spoiler
actuators. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the
distribution block, which could result in leakage of the hydraulic
fluid that supplies those actuators. This failure could cause
failure of one of the three spoiler actuators and the associated
hydraulic circuits, which could result in loss of those hydraulic
circuits and consequent 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.
Inspection for Actuator Part Numbers and Corrective Action
(f) Within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Inspect to determine if a spoiler actuator with part number
P376A0002-04 or P376A0002-08 is installed, by doing all the
applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, excluding
Appendix 01, dated May 17, 2005.
(1) If no actuator with either identified part number is
installed, no further action is required by this paragraph.
(2) If any actuator with any identified part number is installed
and the three associated hydraulic circuits are affected (at least
one actuator supplied by the yellow circuit and at least one
actuator supplied by the blue circuit and at least one actuator
supplied by the green circuit): Within 100 flight hours after
accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD,
replace all affected actuators on one of the hydraulic circuits with
new actuators in accordance with the service bulletin. Within 12
months after accomplishing that replacement, replace all the
remaining affected actuators with new actuators in accordance with
the service bulletin.
(3) If any actuator with any identified part number is installed
and one or two of the associated hydraulic circuits are affected:
Within 12 months after accomplishing the inspection required by
paragraph (f) of this AD, replace all affected actuators with new
actuators in accordance with the service bulletin.
Parts Installation
(g) After the effective date of this AD, no spoiler actuator
with part number P376A0002-04 or P376A0002-08 may be installed on
any airplane.
No Reporting Required
(h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, excluding
Appendix 01, dated May 17, 2005, specifies to submit an inspection
report to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) 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.
(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
(j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-125, dated July 20,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
[[Page 64906]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 30, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18685 Filed 11-3-06; 8:45 am]
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