[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74665-74668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30135]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1162; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-099-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Airplanes, and 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, 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 that would supersede an existing AD. 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:
Prompted by a reported in-service event, EASA issued AD 2009-
0084 to prevent unwanted movement of pilot- or co-pilot seat in the
horizontal direction which is considered as potentially unsafe,
especially during the takeoff phase when the speed of the aeroplane
is greater than 100 knots and until landing gear retraction.
* * * * *
Uncommanded movement of the pilot and co-pilot seats during takeoff
or landing could interfere with the operation of the airplane and, as a
result, could cause loss of control of the airplane. 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 January 18,
2011.
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:
[[Page 74666]]
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-2010-1162;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-099-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
On May 15, 2009, we issued AD 2009-11-09, Amendment 39-15919 (74 FR
25399, May 28, 2009). That AD required actions intended to address an
unsafe condition on the products listed above.
Since we issued AD 2009-11-09, the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0070,
dated April 14, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
Prompted by a reported in-service event, EASA issued AD 2009-
0084 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2009-11-09] to prevent unwanted
movement of pilot- or co-pilot seat in the horizontal direction
which is considered as potentially unsafe, especially during the
takeoff phase when the speed of the aeroplane is greater than 100
knots and until landing gear retraction.
AD 2009-0084 required the deactivation of the electrical power
of SOGERMA pilot seats P/N 2510112 series and co-pilot seats P/N
2510113 series. Optional intermediate actions were also provided by
AD 2009-0084 to allow partial or full restoration of seat adjustment
functionality.
Since AD 2009-0084 was issued, a permanent solution has been
developed that terminates the de-activation requirement and
invalidates the intermediate actions.
Consequently, this AD retains requirements of EASA AD 2009-0084,
which is superseded, and requires implementing the terminating
action. In addition, this AD prohibits the (re)installation of
unmodified pilot- and co-pilot seats on any aeroplane that has been
modified in accordance with the requirements of this AD.
Uncommanded movement of the pilot and co-pilot seats during takeoff
or landing could interfere with the operation of the airplane and, as a
result, could cause loss of control of the airplane. 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
following table.
Table--Service Information
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Document Revision Date
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Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-25- Original.................... August 31, 2009.
6217.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-25- Original.................... August 31, 2009.
2205.
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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 132 products of U.S. registry.
The actions that are required by AD 2009-11-09 and retained in this
proposed AD take about 2 work-hours per product, at an average labor
rate of $85 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost
of the currently required actions is $170 per product.
We estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product to
comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $5,000
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 $704,880, or $5,340 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.
[[Page 74667]]
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 removing Amendment 39-15919 (74 FR
25399, May 28, 2009) and adding the following new AD:
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2010-1162; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-
099-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by January 18, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2009-11-09, Amendment 39-15919.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category; all
serial numbers having SOGERMA 2510112 series pilot electrical seats
or SOGERMA 2510113 series co-pilot electrical seats installed.
(1) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, A300 B4-603, A300 B4-620, and A300
B4-622, A300 B4-605R and A300 B4-622R; A300 F4-605R and A300 F4-
622R; and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324,
and -325 airplanes.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25:
Equipment/Furnishings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Prompted by a reported in-service event, EASA issued AD 2009-
0084 to prevent unwanted movement of pilot- or co-pilot seat in the
horizontal direction which is considered as potentially unsafe,
especially during the takeoff phase when the speed of the aeroplane
is greater than 100 knots and until landing gear retraction.
* * * * *
Uncommanded movement of the pilot and co-pilot seats during
takeoff or landing could interfere with the operation of the
airplane and, as a result, could cause loss of control of the
airplane.
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.
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2009-11-09, With No Changes
(g) Within 15 days after June 12, 2009 (the effective date of AD
2009-11-09): Deactivate the electrical supply of SOGERMA 2510112
series pilot seats and SOGERMA 2510113 series co-pilot seats, in
accordance with the instructions of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT)
A310-25A2203, Revision 02, dated March 2, 2009; or Airbus AOT A300-
25A6215, Revision 02, dated March 2, 2009; as applicable.
(h) For optional intermediate action for restoration of the
electrical adjustment of the vertical seat movement only:
Deactivating the electrical powered horizontal movement of SOGERMA
2510112 series pilot seats or SOGERMA 2510113 series co-pilot seats,
in accordance with the instructions of EADS SOGERMA Alert Service
Bulletin A2510112-25-764, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2009,
allows restoration of the vertical adjustment only.
(i) For optional intermediate action for restoration of the
electrical adjustment of the vertical seat and horizontal seat
movement: Inspecting the position of switch `S4' and the related
shim of SOGERMA 2510112 series pilot seats or SOGERMA 2510113 series
co-pilot seats, in accordance with EADS SOGERMA Inspection Service
Bulletin 2510112-25-807, dated February 20, 2009, allows
reactivation of both horizontal and vertical electrical movements,
provided the measurement results of the inspection are within the
acceptable value indicated in the service bulletin, and provided
that the inspection is repeated thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 2 months. If the measurement result of any inspection is not
within the acceptable value indicated in the EADS SOGERMA Inspection
Service Bulletin 2510112-25-807, dated February 20, 2009, the
horizontal movement must be deactivated before further flight.
(j) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or
(j)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of the findings for the first
inspection done in accordance with paragraph (i) of this AD to
Airbus SAS-EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. The report must include a
detailed fleet inspection report, including measurement values, and
pin and serial numbers for each seat.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after June 12, 2009: Submit
the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was accomplished prior to June 12, 2009:
Submit the report within 30 days after June 12, 2009.
(k) Modifications made prior to June 12, 2009, in accordance
with EADS SOGERMA Alert Service Bulletin A2510112-25-764, dated
December 19, 2008, are considered acceptable for compliance with the
applicable action specified in this AD.
New Requirements of This AD
(l) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD:
Install an enlarged shim for the horizontal switch actuation on each
affected seat, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-25-6217 (for Model A300-600
airplanes) or A310-25-2205 (for Model A310 airplanes), both dated
August 31, 2009. Doing the installation required by paragraph (l) of
this AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g), (h), and (i)
of this AD.
(m) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
any SOGERMA 2510112 series pilot seat or SOGERMA 2510113 series co-
pilot seat, on any airplane, unless that seat has been modified in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A300-25-6217 (for Model A300-600 airplanes) or
A310-25-2205 (for Model A310 airplanes), both dated August 31, 2009;
as applicable.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service
information as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(n) 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.
[[Page 74668]]
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
(o) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0070, dated April 14, 2010; and the
service information specified in Table 1 of this AD; as applicable;
for related information.
Table 1--Service Information
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Document Revision Date
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Airbus All Operators Telex A300-25A6215.. 02.......................... March 2, 2009.
Airbus All Operators Telex A310-25A2203.. 02.......................... March 2, 2009.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-25- Original.................... August 31, 2009.
6217.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-25- Original.................... August 31, 2009.
2205.
EADS SOGERMA Alert Service Bulletin 1........................... February 17, 2009.
A2510112-25-764.
EADS SOGERMA Inspection Service Bulletin Original.................... February 20, 2009.
A2510112-25-807.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 18, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-30135 Filed 11-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P