[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21413-21416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08598]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0229; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-186-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 and A310 series airplanes, and certain Model A300-600
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a review of certain
repairs, which revealed that the structural integrity of the airplane
could be affected if those repairs are not re-worked. This proposed AD
would require an inspection to identify certain repairs, and corrective
action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
certain repairs on the floor cross beams flange. If those repairs are
not reworked, the structural integrity of the airplane could be
negatively affected.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 2, 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--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];
[[Page 21414]]
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-
0229; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98507-3356; 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-2014-0229;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-186-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 2013-0220, dated September 18, 2013 (referred
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A300
and A310 series airplanes, and certain 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). The MCAI states:
In the frame of the Extended Service Goal (ESG) activity, all
existing Structural Repair Manual (SRM) repairs were reviewed.
This analysis, which consisted in new static and fatigue
calculations, revealed that some repairs were no longer applicable
to some specific areas.
These repairs, if not reworked, could affect the structural
integrity of the aeroplane. To address the repairs on the floor
cross beams flange, Airbus issued Alert Operator Transmission (AOT)
A300-53A0392, AOT A300-53A6171 and AOT A310-53A2135.
To address this unsafe condition, and further to the implementation
of the Aging Aircraft Safety Rule (AASR), this [EASA] Airworthiness
Directive requires a [general visual] inspection of the floor cross
beams flange at frame (FR)11 and FR12A to identify SRM repairs and,
depending on findings, accomplishment of corrective action
[reworking the SRM repairs].
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0229.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the following service information. The actions
described in this service information are intended to correct the
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
All Operator Telex A300-53A0392, dated March 14, 2012 (for
Model A300 series airplanes).
All Operator Telex A300-53A6171, dated March 14, 2012 (for
Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622; A300 B4-605R and B4-
622R; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and A300 C4-605R Variant F
airplanes).
All Operator Telex A310-53A2135, dated March 14, 2012 (for
Model A310 series airplanes).
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 these
same type designs.
Repair Approvals
In many FAA transport ADs, when the service information specifies
to contact the manufacturer for further instructions if certain
discrepancies are found, we typically include in the AD a requirement
to accomplish the action using a method approved by either the FAA or
the State of Design Authority (or its delegated agent).
We have recently been notified that certain laws in other countries
do not allow such delegation of authority, but some countries do
recognize design approval organizations. In addition, we have become
aware that some U.S. operators have used repair instructions that were
previously approved by a State of Design Authority or a Design Approval
Holder (DAH) as a method of compliance with this provision in FAA ADs.
Frequently, in these cases, the previously approved repair instructions
come from the airplane structural repair manual or the DAH repair
approval statements that were not specifically developed to address the
unsafe condition corrected by the AD. Using repair instructions that
were not specifically approved for a particular AD creates the
potential for doing repairs that were not developed to address the
unsafe condition identified by the MCAI AD, the FAA AD, or the
applicable service information, which could result in the unsafe
condition not being fully corrected.
To prevent the use of repairs that were not specifically developed
to correct the unsafe condition, certain requirements of this proposed
AD would require that the repair approval specifically refer to the FAA
AD. This change is intended to clarify the method of compliance and to
provide operators with better visibility of repairs that are
specifically developed and approved to correct the unsafe condition. In
addition, we use the phrase ``its delegated agent, or the DAH with
State of Design Authority design organization approval, as applicable''
in this proposed AD to refer to a DAH authorized to approve certain
required repairs for this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 177 airplanes 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. Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $15,045, or $85
per product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost
[[Page 21415]]
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD.
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-2014-0229; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
186-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 2, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and
B4-203 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs).
(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622; A300 B4-605R
and B4-622R; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and A300 C4-605R
Variant F airplanes; all MSNs, except those on which Airbus
Modification 12699 has been embodied in production.
(3) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325
airplanes, all MSNs.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a review of repairs done using the
structural repair manual (SRM), which revealed that the structural
integrity of the airplane could be affected if certain SRM repairs
are not re-worked. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct SRM
repairs on the floor cross beams flange at frame (FR)11 and FR12A.
If these SRM repairs are not reworked, the structural integrity of
the airplane could be negatively affected.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
(1) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a
general visual inspection of the floor cross beams flange at FR11
and FR12A to determine which SRM repairs have been done, in
accordance with the instructions of the service information
specified in paragraph (g)(1)(a), (g)(1)(b), or (g)(1)(c) of this
AD, as applicable.
(a) For Model A300 series airplanes: Airbus All Operator Telex
(AOT) A300-53A0392, dated March 14, 2012.
(b) For Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622; A300 B4-
605R and B4-622R; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and A300 C4-
605R Variant F airplanes: Airbus AOT A300-53A6171, dated March 14,
2012.
(c) For Model A310 series airplanes: Airbus AOT A310-53A2135,
dated March 14, 2012.
(2) A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in
lieu of the general visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(1)
of this AD if the SRM repairs can be positively identified from that
review.
(h) Repair
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
it is determined that any SRM repair specified in paragraph 2 of the
service information identified in paragraph (g)(1)(a), (g)(1)(b), or
(g)(1)(c) of this AD, as applicable, has been done: Within 30 months
after the effective date of this AD, rework the repair using a
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA (or its delegated
agent, or the Design Approval Holder (DAH) with EASA design
organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, the
repair approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(i) 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 98507-
3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 427-1149. 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 the DAH with a State of Design Authority's
design organization approval, as applicable). 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) Airworthiness Directive 2013-0220, dated September 18, 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 Docket No. FAA-2014-0229.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice
[[Page 21416]]
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 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 April 7, 2014.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08598 Filed 4-15-14; 8:45 am]
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