[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66760-66762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27142]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1162; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-002-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 all
Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-
300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by several reports of a burning smell and/or smoke in the
cockpit during cruise phase leading, in some cases, to diversion to
alternate airports. This proposed AD would require an inspection to
identify the installed windshields and replacement of any affected
windshield. We are proposing this AD to prevent significantly increased
workload for the flightcrew, which could, under some flight phases and/
or circumstances, constitute an unsafe condition.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 24,
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.
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; email [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, WA 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-2012-1162;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-002-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 2011-0242, dated December 19, 2011 (corrected
February 15, 2012), (referred to after this
[[Page 66761]]
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products.
The MCAI states:
Several operators have reported cases of burning smell and/or
smoke in the cockpit during cruise phase leading in some cases to
diversion.
Findings have shown that the cause of these events is the
burning of the Saint-Gobain Sully (SGS) windshield connector
terminal block.
This condition, if not corrected, could significantly increase
the flight crew workload which would, under some flight phases and/
or circumstances, constitute an unsafe condition.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the
identification of the installed windshields and replacement of the
affected part.
* * * * *
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the following service bulletins.
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01,
including Appendices 01, 02, and 03, dated January 27, 2011 (for Model
A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321,
-322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes).
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendices
01, 02, and 03, dated May 4, 2010 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -
311, -312, and -313 airplanes).
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendices
01, 02, and 03, dated May 4, 2010 (for Model A340-541 and -642
airplanes).
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.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 55 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 2 work-hours 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 $9,350, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of
$850 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 parts. As we do not control warranty coverage
for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than
estimated here. 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-2012-1162; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
002-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 24, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and
(c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer
serial numbers.
(1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F,
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541,
and -642 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 56, Windows.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by several reports of a burning smell and/
or smoke in the cockpit during cruise phase leading, in some cases,
to diversion to alternate airports. We are proposing this AD to
prevent significantly increased workload for the flightcrew, which
could, under some flight phases and/or circumstances, constitute an
unsafe condition.
(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 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
inspect to identify the
[[Page 66762]]
manufacturer, the part number, and the serial number of the left-
hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) windshields installed on the airplane,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable
Airbus service information identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2),
or (g)(3) of this AD. A review of airplane delivery or maintenance
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the
manufacturer, part number, and serial number of the installed
windshields can be conclusively determined from that review.
(1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes:
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
(2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313
airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Service
Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix 01, excluding Appendices
02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(h) Replacement
If it is found during the inspection required by paragraph (g)
of this AD that any installed LH or RH windshield was manufactured
by Saint-Gobain Sully (SGS) and the part number and serial number
are identified in the applicable Airbus service information
identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD: Within
9 months or 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, replace all affected LH and RH windshields,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable
Airbus service information identified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2),
or (h)(3) of this AD.
(1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes:
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
(2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313
airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Service
Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix 01, excluding Appendices
02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -
223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -
342, and -343 airplanes, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-
3009, dated May 4, 2010, which is not incorporated by reference in
this AD.
(j) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on an
airplane any affected windshield from SGS and having a part number
and serial number as identified in the applicable service
information identified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of
this AD, unless a suffix ``U'' is present at the end of the S/N.
(1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes:
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
(2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313
airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Service
Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix 01, excluding Appendices
02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(k) Other FAA AD Provisions
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. 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: Vladimir
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; 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.
(l) Related Information
(1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2011-0242, dated December 19, 2011 (corrected February 15,
2012), and the service information identified in paragraphs
(k)(1)(i) through (k)(1)(iii) of this AD, for related information.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
(2) For service information identified in this 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; email [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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 31, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27142 Filed 11-6-12; 8:45 am]
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