[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38061-38064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15982]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0644; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600 Series
Airplanes; Model A300 B4-600R Series Airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R
Variant F Airplanes; and Model A300 F4-600R Series 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:
Within the framework of the A300-600 aircraft Service Life
Extension programme (42 500 FC [flight cycles]), it has been
concluded that a reinforcement of the junction of frame bases at
FR48, FR49 and FR51 to FR53 is necessary to enable the aircraft to
reach the Extended Service Goal (ESG).
[[Page 38062]]
* * * [Failure of the frame base], if not corrected, could
affect the structural integrity of the fuselage.
* * * * *
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 August 16, 2010.
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.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus SAS-EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; e-mail: [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2125; 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-2010-0644;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-204-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 have lengthened the 30-day comment period for proposed ADs that
address MCAI originated by aviation authorities of other countries to
provide adequate time for interested parties to submit comments. The
comment period for these proposed ADs is now typically 45 days, which
is consistent with the comment period for domestic transport ADs.
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 2009-0188, dated August 26, 2009 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Within the framework of the A300-600 aircraft Service Life
Extension programme (42 500 FC [flight cycles]), it has been
concluded that a reinforcement of the junction of frame bases at
FR48, FR49 and FR51 to FR53 is necessary to enable the aircraft to
reach the Extended Service Goal (ESG).
* * * [Failure of the frame base], if not corrected, could
affect the structural integrity of the fuselage.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires the
reinforcement of the affected junction of frame bases.
Required actions include doing a dimensional measurement of the holes,
and doing corrective actions if necessary; doing an eddy current
inspection of the holes for cracking, and doing corrective actions if
necessary; and doing cold expansion of the holes and installing
fasteners. Corrective actions include contacting Airbus for repair
instructions and doing the repair. You may obtain further information
by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-53-6161, Revision
02, including Appendix 01, dated October 16, 2009. 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
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 122 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 81 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $12,300 per product. Where
the service information lists required parts costs that are covered
under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these
costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties,
some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $2,340,570, or $19,185 per product.
[[Page 38063]]
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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-2010-0644; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-
204-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by August 16, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620,
B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F; Model F4-
605R and F4-622R airplanes; certificated in any category; on which
modification 12699 has not been completed.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53:
Fuselage.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Within the framework of the A300-600 aircraft Service Life
Extension programme (42 500 FC), it has been concluded that a
reinforcement of the junction of frame bases at FR48, FR49 and FR51
to FR53 is necessary to enable the aircraft to reach the Extended
Service Goal (ESG).
* * * [Failure of the frame base], if not corrected, could
affect the structural integrity of the fuselage.
* * * * *
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Actions
(g) Except for airplanes identified in paragraph (h) of this AD:
At the time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as
applicable, reinforce the junctions of frame bases FR48, FR49, FR51,
FR52 and FR53, which includes doing a dimensional measurement of the
holes, doing an eddy current inspection of the holes for cracking,
doing a cold expansion of the holes, installing fasteners, and doing
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-53-6161,
Revision 02, dated October 16, 2009. If cracking is found, before
further flight, contact Airbus for repair instructions and do the
repair.
(1) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification No. 03986 has
been accomplished as of the effective date of this AD: Before the
accumulation of 37,600 total flight cycles.
(2) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification No. 03986 has not
been accomplished as of the effective date of this AD: Before the
accumulation of 28,900 total flight cycles.
(h) For airplanes modified prior to the effective date of this
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-53-6161, dated February 13, 2009; or
Revision 01, dated June 24, 2009: Within 10 days after the effective
date of this AD, prior to doing any cold working process, determine
if an eddy current inspection for cracking has been done, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A300-53-6161, Revision 02, dated October 16, 2009.
If the eddy current inspection has not been done, or it cannot be
proven that it has been done, before further flight, contact Airbus
for instructions and accomplish those instructions.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service
information as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(i) 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: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. Before
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies,
notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal
avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal
inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC
approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(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 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(j) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0188, dated August 26, 2009; and Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-53-6161, Revision 02, dated October
16, 2009; for related information.
[[Page 38064]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 23, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-15982 Filed 6-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P