[Federal Register: September 26, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 186)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 54536-54538]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26se07-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28599; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-008-AD;
Amendment 39-15213; AD 2007-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI)
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA
on 31 May 2006.
The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural
integrity of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to
[[Page 54537]]
require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 31, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 31,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.
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:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 9, 2007 (72 FR
37122). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI)
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA
on 31 May 2006.
Issue 11 of this document (refer to the Summary of Changes
chapter for more details) deals in particular with the introduction
of new tasks and the reduction of threshold and interval of some ALI
tasks.
Some other clarifications are also brought to some tasks like
for example the access, the applicability period or the
applicability.
This AD supersedes DGAC AD F-2004-153, as it was mandating A300-
600 ALI issue 9.
The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural
integrity of the airplane. Incorporating this revision into the
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued structural
integrity of these airplanes. You may obtain further information by
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects
about 138 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it takes
about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The average labor
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost
of this AD on U.S. operators to be $11,040, or $80 per product.
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 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 this AD:
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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2007-20-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-15213. Docket No. FAA-2007-28599;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-008-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October
31, 2007.
[[Page 54538]]
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes,
all certified models, all serial numbers, certificated in any
category.
Subject
(d) Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI)
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA
on 31 May 2006.
Issue 11 of this document (refer to the Summary of Changes
chapter for more details) deals in particular with the introduction
of new tasks and the reduction of threshold and interval of some ALI
tasks.
Some other clarifications are also brought to some tasks like
for example the access, the applicability period or the
applicability. This AD supersedes DGAC AD F-2004-153, as it was
mandating A300-600 ALI issue 9.
The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion
in principal structural elements, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the airplane. Incorporating this revision
into the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions
for Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued
structural integrity of these airplanes.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, within 3 months after the effective
date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness
Limitation Items (ALI) Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 11,
dated April 2006. The tolerance (grace period) for compliance
(specified in paragraph 2 of Section B--Program Rules) with Issue 11
of the ALI is within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of
this AD, provided that none of the following is exceeded:
(1) Thresholds or intervals in the operator's current approved
maintenance schedule that are taken from a previous ALI issue, if
existing, and are higher than or equal to those given in Issue 11 of
the ALI.
(2) 8 months after the effective date of this AD.
(3) 50 percent of the intervals given in Issue 11 of the ALI.
(4) Any application tolerance given in the task description of
Issue 11 of the ALI.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tom
Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98056-3356; telephone (425) 227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2006-0374, dated December 15, 2006, and Airbus A300-600
Airworthiness Limitation Items Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue
11, dated April 2006, for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitation Items
Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 11, dated April 2006, to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(Page 143-G of this document is missing the document number,
document issue date and revision level, section identifier, and page
number.)
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030,
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 19, 2007.
John Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18870 Filed 9-25-07; 8:45 am]
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