[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 237 (Monday, December 10, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73343-73345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29710]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1224; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-112-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 A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and
Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-
600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded slide back of the co-
pilot seat to the end stop position. This proposed AD would require a
one-time inspection for a part number, a tensile test of the affected
seats, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to
detect and prevent unwanted movement of a pilot or co-pilot seat in the
horizontal direction, which could lead to inadvertent input on the
flight control commands and possibly result in loss of controllability
of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 24,
2013.
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 Airbus 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; email [email protected]; Internet
http://www.airbus.com. For EADS SOGERMA service information identified
in this AD, contact EADS SOGERMA, Zone Industrielle de l'Arsenal, CS.
60109, 17303 Rochefort, Cedex France; phone: 33 5 46 82 84 84; fax: 33
5 46 82 88 13; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.sogerma.eads.net. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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-2012-1224;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-112-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 aviation
authority for Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0102, dated June 8, 2012 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
During a steep climb manoeuvre that was flown with a high pitch
(25[deg]) for training of ground threat avoidance, an Airbus A310
aeroplane experienced an uncommanded slide back of the co-pilot seat
to the end stop position.
Investigation revealed that on the affected seat, the disc key
inside the clutch was broken. SOGERMA Service Bulletin (SB) No
2510112-25-813, which addresses the previous end stop switch issue
and which is covered by EASA AD 2010-0070 [which corresponds to FAA
AD 2011-06-09, Amendment 39-16634 (76 FR 15805, March 22, 2011)] had
been accomplished on this seat, but due to seizure, the key failure
was not detected at time. This broken disc key caused a jamming
between the gear and the shaft of the clutch. Despite this failure,
the torque transmission between the gear and the shaft was
sufficient for normal operation, but not to keep the seat in locked
position during climbing, due to the high longitudinal loads
generated by the high aeroplane incidence.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could cause the
pilot to lose contact with the controls, leading to an inadvertent
input on the flight control commands during take-off or climb,
possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection [part number (P/N) inspection of the seats and
tensile test] of the affected seats and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s) [replacing the
seat or modifying the seat by replacing actuator P/N RT19H4FX with a
new actuator].
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission A25W001-12, dated
June 6, 2012; and EADS SOGERMA has issued Inspection Service Bulletin
[[Page 73344]]
2510112-25-898, dated April 25, 2012. 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 161 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. Required parts would cost about $4,523 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. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $741,888, or $4,608 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);
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-2012-1224; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
112-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 24, 2013.
(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 manufacturer
serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded slide back of
the co-pilot seat to the end stop position. We are issuing this AD
to detect and prevent unwanted movement of a pilot or co-pilot seat
in the horizontal direction, which could lead to inadvertent input
on the flight control commands possibly resulting in loss of
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) Part Number (P/N) Inspection
Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, except as
provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do an inspection to determine
the part number of each SOGERMA pilot and co-pilot seat installed on
the airplane. As an alternative, a review of the maintenance or
delivery records may be used to determine the part number of the
pilot and co-pilot seat if the part number can be positively
determined.
(h) Seats That Have Been Previously Tested or Modified
SOGERMA pilot and co-pilot seats having P/N 2510112 series (all
suffixes) or P/N 2510113 series (all suffixes) that, before the
effective date of this AD, have already passed the tensile test
specified in paragraph (i) of this AD, or have been modified in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS SOGERMA
Inspection Service Bulletin 2510112-25-898, dated April 25, 2012,
are not required to be tested, and are considered to be compliant
with the requirements of this AD.
(i) Tensile Test
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
the part number of a seat is identified as P/N 2510112 series (all
suffixes), or P/N 2510113 series (all suffixes): Within 6 months
after the effective date of this AD, do a tensile test on that seat
in accordance with Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT)
A25W001-12, dated June 6, 2012.
(j) Replacement or Modification
If the tensile test sample does not break off while performing
the test required by paragraph (i) of this AD, before further
flight, do one of the actions specified in paragraph (j)(1) or
(j)(2) of this AD.
(1) Replace the affected seat with a new or serviceable seat
that has passed the tensile test specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD. Do the replacement in accordance with Airbus AOT A25W001-12,
dated June 6, 2012.
(2) Modify the seat by replacing actuator P/N RT19H4FX of the
affected seat, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
EADS SOGERMA Inspection Service Bulletin 2510112-25-898, dated April
25, 2012; or Airbus AOT A25W001-12, dated June 6, 2012.
[[Page 73345]]
(k) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
SOGERMA pilot or co-pilot seat having P/N 2510112 series, or P/N
2510113 series, on any airplane unless it has passed the tensile
test required by paragraph (i) of this AD, or has been replaced or
modified as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
(l) 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: 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.
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.
(m) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
European Aviation Safety Agency, Airworthiness Directive 2012-0102,
dated June 8, 2012, and the service information specified in
paragraphs (m)(1)(i) and (m)(1)(ii) of this AD, for related
information.
(i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A300-A25W001-12, dated
June 6, 2012.
(ii) EADS SOGERMA Service Bulletin 2510112-25-898, dated April
25, 2012.
(2) For Airbus service information identified in this 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; email [email protected];
Internet http://www.airbus.com. For EADS SOGERMA service information
identified in this AD, contact EADS SOGERMA, Zone Industrielle de
l'Arsenal, CS. 60109, 17303 Rochefort, Cedex France; phone: 33 5 46
82 84 84; fax: 33 5 46 82 88 13; email: [email protected];
Internet: http://www.sogerma.eads.net. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 30, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29710 Filed 12-7-12; 8:45 am]
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