[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32345-32347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12515]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 104 / Thursday, May 30, 2013 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 32345]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1000; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-065-AD;
Amendment 39-17460; AD 2013-10-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-605R, and B4-622R
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the door frame shells
of passenger doors 2 and 4 may not have sufficient structural strength
to enable the airplane to operate safely. This AD requires reinforcing
the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and 4 on both sides of the
fuselage. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the
door frame shells, which could result in in-flight decompression of the
airplane and consequent injury to passengers.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 5,
2013.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
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:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2012
(77 FR 58785). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for
the specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information (MCAI) states:
As a result of the Extended Service Goal 2 exercise (ESG2) it
was shown that the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and 4
(both sides of the aeroplane) may not have sufficient structural
strength to enable the aeroplane to operate safety beyond ESG1
(Extended Service Goal 1 equal to 42,500 Flight Cycles--FC or 89,000
Flight Hours--FH) and up to ESG2 (Extended Service Goal 2 equal to
51,000 FC or 89,000 FH) limits.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural
failure of the affected door shells, possibly resulting in in-flight
decompression of the aeroplane and consequent injury to occupants.
For the reasons stated above, this [European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA)] AD requires the reinforcement at door frame shells of
passenger doors 2 and 4.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request for a Copy of the Service Information
FedEx requested that copies of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-
6170, dated May 16, 2011, be provided to understand the full intent of
the modification. FedEx stated that copies of Airbus Service Bulletin
A300-53-6170, dated May 16, 2011, are not available to operators
without paying for the modification kit for ESG-2 operations.
As stated in the NPRM (77 FR 58785, September 24, 2012), copies of
the referenced service information may be reviewed at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. No
change has been made to the AD in this regard. After publication of the
final rule, 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.
Request for Exception for Certain Passenger Doors
FedEx requested an exception for the passenger door 2 on airplanes
modified from passenger to freighter per supplemental type certificate
(STC) ST01431NY* (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/9F0C4BC1162AA3CE862571B2005F355C?OpenDocument&Highlight=st01431ny).
FedEx stated that the passenger door 2 has been removed from the
modified airplanes to install the upper deck cargo door in these
positions. FedEx noted that applicability to the remaining door 4 would
remain in effect.
We disagree with the commenter's request. Operators should work
with the STC holder to evaluate and determine what actions might be
necessary to address the unsafe condition if it exists. Operators may
request approval of an alternative method of compliance to address this
evaluation. No change has been made to the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data, including the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 58785, September 24, 2012) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 58785, September 24, 2012).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 124 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 400 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $10,000
[[Page 32346]]
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 this AD to the
U.S. operators to be $5,456,000, or $44,000 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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 the NPRM (77 FR 58785, September 24,
2012), 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2013-10-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-17460. Docket No. FAA-2012-1000;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-065-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 5,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-
605R, and B4-622R airplanes; certificated in any category; all
serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that the door frame shells of
passenger doors 2 and 4 may not have sufficient structural strength
to enable the airplane to operate safely. We are issuing this AD to
prevent structural failure of the door frame shells, which could
result in in-flight decompression of the airplane and consequent
injury to passengers.
(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) Reinforcement
Before the accumulation of 42,500 total flight cycles or within
2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later: Do the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2)
of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For Model A300 B4-622R airplanes: Reinforce the door frame
shells of passenger doors 2 and 4 on both sides of the fuselage, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-53-6170, dated May 16, 2011.
(2) For Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-605R
airplanes: Reinforce the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and
4 on both sides of the fuselage, 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).
(h) 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; 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.
(i) Related Information
Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0044, dated
March 23, 2012; and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6170, dated May
16, 2011; for related information.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6170, dated May 16, 2011.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness
[[Page 32347]]
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.
(4) You may review copies of the 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12515 Filed 5-29-13; 8:45 am]
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