[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59149-59151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23638]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1002; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-052-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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
certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series
airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively
called A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking through the
honeycomb core closed with phenolic resin. This condition could result
in extended debonding and could adversely affect the structural
integrity of the rudder. This proposed AD would require inspecting to
determine the serial number of a certain rudder and replacing the
rudder with a new or serviceable rudder if necessary. We are proposing
this AD to prevent extended de-bonding, which could result in loss of
the rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 13,
2012.
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 W12-140, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 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-2012-1002;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-052-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
[[Page 59150]]
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 2012-0006, dated January 12, 2012 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Following in-service findings reported by an operator, rudder
laboratory investigation revealed the existence of a crack through
the honeycomb core closed with phenolic resin. This condition if not
detected and corrected, could result in extended de-bonding, which
would adversely affect the structural integrity of the rudder. The
loss of the rudder could lead to degradation of the handling
qualities and reduces the controllability of the aeroplane.
Further investigations identified a batch of five affected
rudders.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
[inspecting to determine the serial number (S/N) of a certain rudder
and] the replacement of the five affected rudders with [new or]
serviceable ones.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
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 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.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 170 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $14,450, or $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $714,100, for a cost
of $714,950 per product. We have no way of determining the number of
products that may need these actions.
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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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-2012-1002; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
052-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 13, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-
622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F
airplanes; and Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324,
and -325 airplanes; certificated in any category; all serial
numbers, except those airplanes on which Airbus modification 08827
has been incorporated in production.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking through the
honeycomb core closed with phenolic resin. This condition could
result in extended debonding and could adversely affect the
structural integrity of the rudder. We are issuing this AD to
prevent extended de-bonding, which could result in loss of the
rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Inspection
Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the
rudder having part number (P/N) A55471500, to determine if the
rudder has serial number (S/N) HF1010, HF1036, HF1059, HF1061, or
HF1064. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in
lieu of this inspection if the serial number of the rudder can be
conclusively determined from that review.
(h) Rudder Replacement
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
any rudder having S/N HF1010, HF1036, HF1059, HF1061, or HF1064 is
found, before further flight, replace the rudder with a new or
serviceable rudder, using a method approved by either the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA;
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated
agent).
Note 1 to Paragraph (h) of this AD: Rudders having S/N HF1010,
HF1036, HF1059,
[[Page 59151]]
HF1061, and HF1064 were installed on airplanes having S/N 0295,
0297, 0321, 0355, and 0500; however, each rudder may have been moved
to another airplane.
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
rudder P/N A55471500, having S/N HF1010, HF1036, HF1059, HF1061, or
HF1064, on any airplane.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal
inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate.
If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it
to ATTN: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2125; fax 425-227-1149.
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the
local flight standards district office/certificate holding 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.
(k) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0006, dated January 12, 2012, for
related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 12, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23638 Filed 9-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P