[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60010-60013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24238]
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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. 75, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 29, 2010 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 60010]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0859; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-113-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 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:
* * * * *
* * * [T]here is a possible path for fluid ingress, resulting in
connector internal arcing and hydraulic system malfunction. In
addition, as the connectors are located in areas adjacent to fuel
tanks, such arcing associated with the presence of a fuel leakage
could lead to an uncontrolled fire.
* * * * *
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 November 15,
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--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 45 80; 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1138; 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-2010-0859;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-113-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 2010-0086R1, dated June 16, 2010 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Several A330 and A340 operators have reported in service
occurrences of hydraulic pump electrical motor connector internal
arcing, resulting in:
--Either false hydraulic system overheat Electronic Centralized
Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) warnings
--And/or hydraulic pump electrical motor malfunction.
Investigations have shown that, due to the manufacturing
tolerances of the cables and the connectors rear grommet, there is a
possible path for fluid ingress, resulting in connector internal
arcing and hydraulic system malfunction. In addition, as the
connectors are located in areas adjacent to fuel tanks, such arcing
associated with the presence of a fuel leakage could lead to an
uncontrolled fire.
In order to protect the hydraulic pump electrical motor
connectors against fluid ingress from the rear of the connector
grommet and prevent false hydraulic system overheat ECAM warnings
and/or hydraulic pump electrical motor malfunction, this AD requires
modification of the three hydraulic pump electrical motor connectors
associated to the Blue, Yellow and Green hydraulic systems.
This Revision 1 is issued to delete Airbus modifications
55923S18878 and 55924S19452 from the applicability of this AD.
The modification adds heat shrink sleeves to certain cable contacts
and a sealing plug to the connector free cavity. You may obtain further
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the service information specified in the table.
[[Page 60011]]
Table--Applicable Service Information
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Airbus Mandatory Service
Airplane Model-- Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330................................ A330-92-3088, including 01 February 22, 2010.
Appendix 01.
A340................................ A340-92-4081, including 01 February 22, 2010.
Appendix 01.
A340................................ A340-92-5053, including 01 February 22, 2010.
Appendix 01.
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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 43 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 13 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 $877 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 $85,226, or $1,982 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, 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-2010-0859; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-
113-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by November 15, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Model A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-
243, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323,
A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes; certificated in any
category; all serial numbers; except those on which Airbus
modifications 58773 and 45968 have been embodied in production.
(2) Airbus Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-
312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes; certificated in any
category; all serial numbers; except those on which Airbus
modifications 58773 and 45968 have been embodied in production.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
* * * * *
* * * [T]here is a possible path for fluid ingress, resulting in
connector internal arcing and hydraulic system malfunction. In
addition, as the connectors are located in areas adjacent to fuel
tanks, such arcing
[[Page 60012]]
associated with the presence of a fuel leakage could lead to an
uncontrolled fire.
* * * * *
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) Within 3,600 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, modify the hydraulic pump electrical motor connectors of the
blue, yellow, and green electric pumps, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information
specified in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1--Applicable Service Information
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Airbus Mandatory Service
Airplane Model-- Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330................................ A330-92-3088................ 01 February 22, 2010.
A340................................ A340-92-4081................ 01 February 22, 2010.
A340................................ A340-92-5053................ 01 February 22, 2010.
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Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Issue of
Service Information
(h) Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this
AD in accordance with the service information specified in Table 2
of this AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
Table 2--Credit Service Information
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Airbus Mandatory Service
Airplane Model-- Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
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A330............................. A330-92-3088............. Original............ September 2, 2009.
A340............................. A340-92-4081............. Original............ September 2, 2009.
A340............................. A340-92-5053............. Original............ September 2, 2009.
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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, 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: Vladimir
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; 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 EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0086R1,
dated June 16, 2010, and the service information specified in Table
3 of this AD, as applicable, for related information.
Table 3--Related Service Information
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Airbus Mandatory Service
Airplane Model-- Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330............................. A330-92-3088............. 01.................. February 22, 2010.
A340............................. A340-92-4081............. 01.................. February 22, 2010.
A340............................. A340-92-5053............. 01.................. February 22, 2010.
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[[Page 60013]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 21, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-24238 Filed 9-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P