[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1556-1558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-164]
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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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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 6 / Wednesday, January 9, 2008 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 1556]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0390; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-260-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed 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:
Several cases of cracks on the main landing gear (MLG) door
hinge fitting and MLG door actuator fitting on the keel beam were
reported.
Such failure could lead to the loss [of] the MLG door and could
cause damage to the aircraft and/or hazard to persons or property on
the ground.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 this proposed AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0390;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-260-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2007-0161, dated June 11, 2007 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Several cases of cracks on the main landing gear (MLG) door
hinge fitting and MLG door actuator fitting on the keel beam were
reported.
Such failure could lead to the loss [of] the MLG door and could
cause damage to the aircraft and/or hazard to persons or property on
the ground.
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates a onetime detailed
visual inspection (DVI) and special detailed inspection (SDI) of the
MLG door hinge fitting and actuator fitting.
The inspections are for cracking, damage, correct installation, and
correct adjustment. The corrective actions include correcting incorrect
adjustments and installations, and contacting Airbus for instructions
to repair damage and cracking. You may obtain further information by
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A320-53-1195, Revision 02,
dated April 5, 2007, and A320-53-1196, Revision 01, dated November 29,
2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
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
[[Page 1557]]
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 641 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 28 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $1,435,840, or $2,240 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 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 this 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.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-0390; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
260-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by February 8, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes, all certified models, certificated in any
category, all serial numbers up to manufacturer's serial number
(MSN) 2850 inclusive, except MSNs 0115, 0184, 0782, 1151, 1190,
2650, 2675, 2706, 2801, and 2837.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53:
Fuselage.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Several cases of cracks on the main landing gear (MLG) door
hinge fitting and MLG door actuator fitting on the keel beam were
reported.
Such failure could lead to the loss [of] the MLG door and could
cause damage to the aircraft and/or hazard to persons or property on
the ground.
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates a onetime detailed
visual inspection (DVI) and special detailed inspection (SDI) of the
MLG door hinge fitting and actuator fitting.
The inspections are for cracking, damage, correct installation,
and correct adjustment. The corrective actions include correcting
incorrect adjustments and installations, and contacting Airbus for
instructions to repair damage and cracking.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) At the latest of the times specified in paragraphs
(f)(1)(i), (f)(1)(ii), and (f)(1)(iii) of this AD, perform detailed
visual, high frequency eddy current (HFEC), and ultrasonic
inspections (for cracking, damage, correct installation, and correct
adjustment, as applicable) of the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH)
MLG door actuator fitting on the keel beam, and do all applicable
corrective actions before further flight. Where the service bulletin
specifies the applicable corrective action is contacting Airbus,
contact Airbus for repair instructions and repair before further
flight. Do all actions required by this paragraph in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-
1195, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2007.
(i) Within 6,000 flight cycles since first flight.
(ii) Within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD.
(iii) Within 6,000 flight cycles from the latest MLG door
actuator fitting replacement.
(2) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (f)(2)(i)
and (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, perform detailed visual and HFEC
inspections (for cracking, damage, correct installation, and correct
adjustment, as applicable) of the LH and RH MLG door hinge fitting
on the keel beam, and do all applicable corrective actions before
further flight. Where the service bulletin specifies the applicable
corrective action is contacting Airbus, contact Airbus for repair
instructions and repair before further flight. Do all actions
required by this paragraph in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1196, Revision 01,
dated November 29, 2006.
(i) Within 4,500 flight cycles since first flight.
(ii) Within 1,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD.
(3) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with the applicable service bulletins listed in
paragraphs (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD are
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by
this AD.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1195, dated June 23, 2006.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1195, Revision 01, dated
November 29, 2006.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1196, dated June 23, 2006.
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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-116, 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: Tim
Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
[[Page 1558]]
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2141; 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 (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2007-0161, dated June 11, 2007, Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-53-1195, Revision 02, dated April 5, 2007, and
Airbus Service Bulletin A-320-53-1196, Revision 01, dated November
29, 2006, for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 19, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-164 Filed 1-8-08; 8:45 am]
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