[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13929-13931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05424]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0140; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-176-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 A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model
A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a
report of contact between certain electrical harnesses and the hatrack
rod that could cause chafing between the harnesses and surrounding
structure. This proposed AD would require modifying the routing of
certain electrical harnesses. We are proposing this AD to prevent
chafing and possible short circuit of two oxygen chemical generator
containers in different wiring routes, which could result in
malfunction of the electrical opening of all the containers connected
to these routes. Such conditions, during a sudden depressurization
event, could result in lack of oxygen and consequent injuries to
airplane occupants.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 2014
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 view this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0140; 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-2014-0140;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-176-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 13930]]
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 2013-0196, dated August 28, 2013 (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:
On the production line, electrical harnesses 1523VB and 1524VB
have been found in contact with hatrack rod at Frame (FR) 53.7
between stringers (STR) 14 and 15. It was concluded that there is a
risk of chaffing between these harnesses and the surrounding
structure, which could lead to a short circuit on two oxygen
chemical generator containers in different wiring routes.
Consequently, the electrical opening of all the containers connected
to these routes would not be possible, resulting in a malfunction of
up to two thirds of the affected containers.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead, in case of a
sudden depressurization event, to lack of oxygen supply, possibly
resulting in injuries to aeroplane occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus developed two
modifications of the routing of the affected harnesses.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification of the routing of harnesses 1523VB and 1524VB.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No.
FAA-2014-0140.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-92-3098 and
A340-92-4084, dated January 11, 2013. 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
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 51 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Modification.................. 6 work-hours x $85 Up to $1,057.... Up to $1,567.... Up to $79,917.
per hour = $510.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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.
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0140; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
176-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 28, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -
321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, all manufacturer
serial numbers, on which Airbus Modification 48825 has been embodied
in production; except for airplanes on which Airbus Modification
52485, 40161, or 201669 has been embodied.
[[Page 13931]]
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes,
all manufacturer serial numbers, on which Airbus Modification
48825D42865 has been embodied in production; except for airplanes on
which Airbus Modification 55606 or 40161 has been embodied.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of contact between certain
electrical harnesses and the hatrack rod that could cause chafing
between the harnesses and surrounding structure. We are issuing this
AD to prevent chafing and possible short circuit of two oxygen
chemical generator containers in different wiring routes, which
could result in malfunction of the electrical opening of all the
containers connected to these routes. Such conditions, during a
sudden depressurization event, could result in lack of oxygen and
consequent injuries to airplane occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Modification
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the
routing of electrical harnesses 1523VB on the left-hand side and
1524VB on the right-hand side, at the level of the door 3 area
between frames 53.6 and 53.8, and between stringers 14 and 15, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A330-92-3098 or A340-92-4084, both dated January
11, 2013, as applicable.
(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: 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, use these actions if they
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its
delegated agent, or by the DAH with a State of Design Authority's
design organization approval). For a repair method to be approved,
the repair approval must specifically refer to this AD. You are
required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to
service.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness
Directive 2013-0196, dated August 28, 2013, for related information.
This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No.
FAA-2014-0140.
(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 view this 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 February 28, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05424 Filed 3-11-14; 8:45 am]
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