[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28159-28161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11380]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0418; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-200-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 series airplanes; 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). This
proposed AD was prompted by a report that cracking was found in area 2
of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46. This proposed
AD would require a check of maintenance records to determine if certain
repairs were done in area 1 of the frame brace fittings, and, for
affected airplanes, a detailed inspection for cracking in area 2 of the
frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, and repair if
necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in
area 2 of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, which
could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 28, 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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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. 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, WA 98057-3356; phone: 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-2013-0418;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-200-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
[[Page 28160]]
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 2012-0229, dated October 31, 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 accomplishment of Airbus SB [service bulletin] A300-53-
6111, which addresses detailed visual inspections of the lower frame
fittings between Frame (FR) 41 and FR 46, on one A300-600 aeroplane
a crack was detected in the area 2 of the foot of frame FR 46 at
junction radius level.
This frame, that was previously repaired due to a crack finding
in the area 1, was not due to be inspected before reaching the post-
repair inspection threshold, i.e., 45,400 FC [flight cycles], from
repair embodiment.
It has been determined that the current repairs proposed in
Airbus SB A300-53-6111 and Airbus [SB] A300-53-0337 are of limited
effect to prevent cracking in the area 2 of the lower frame
fittings.
Consequently, as a temporary action and until an improvement of
the existing repairs is made available, this [EASA] AD requires a
one-time detailed visual inspection [for cracking] of [the] frame
base fittings that were repaired in accordance with Airbus SB A300-
53-0337, original issue or Rev. 1, or Airbus SB A300-53-6111
original issue up to Rev. 4 * * *.
The unsafe condition is cracking in the frame base fittings, which
could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. The
required actions include repairing any cracking found. You may obtain
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A53W001-12,
dated July 4, 2012, including Appendices 1, 2, and 3. 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 Proposed AD and the MCAI
Although EASA AD 2012-0229, dated October 31, 2012, specifies to
contact the manufacturer for instructions to repair certain conditions,
this proposed AD would require repairing those conditions using a
method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA (or its delegated agent).
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 124 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 4 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 $42,160, or $340 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take up to 350 work-hours and require parts costing up to $56,469 for a
cost of $86,219 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-0418; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
200-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 28, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1)
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-
103, and B4-203 airplanes, on which any repair has been done as
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0337, dated February 4,
1999; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0337, Revision 01, dated
March 17, 2003.
(2) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622
airplanes, Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes, Model A300 F4-
605R and F4-622R airplanes, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, on
which any repair has been done as specified in any
[[Page 28161]]
of the service information identified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i),
(c)(2)(ii), (c)(2)(iii), (c)(2)(iv), and (c)(2)(v) of this AD.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, dated February 4,
1999.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 01, dated
March 17, 2003.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 02, dated
September 13, 2004.
(iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 03, dated
September 30, 2009.
(v) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 04,
dated August 25, 2011.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that cracking was found in area
2 of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in area 2 of the
frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, which could
adversely affect the structural integrity 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) Maintenance Records Check and Frame Base Fitting Inspection
Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Check the airplane maintenance records to determine if repairs were
done in area 1 of the frame base fittings as defined in Appendix 1
of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W001-12, dated July 4,
2012.
(h) Frame Base Fitting Inspection
If, during any records check required by paragraph (g) of this
AD, it is determined that area 1 of the frame base fittings was
repaired: Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD do a detailed inspection of the frame base fittings between frame
41 and frame 46 in the area 2 defined in Appendix 1 of Airbus Alert
Operators Transmission A53W001-12, dated July 4, 2012.
(i) Corrective Action
If any cracking is found during any detailed inspection required
by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the
cracking using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).
(j) 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, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 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
(1) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0229, dated
October 31, 2012; and Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W001-
12, dated July 4, 2012, including Appendices 1 and 2, and excluding
Appendix 3; for related information.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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. 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 May 6, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-11380 Filed 5-13-13; 8:45 am]
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