[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33359-33363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-12156]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-7528; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-004-AD;
Amendment 39-18524; AD 2016-10-13]
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 B4-600, 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 AD was
prompted by reports of premature aging of certain passenger chemical
oxygen generators that resulted in the generators failing to activate.
This AD requires an inspection to determine if certain passenger
chemical oxygen generators are installed and replacement of affected
passenger chemical oxygen generators. We are issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the passenger chemical oxygen generator to activate and
consequently not deliver oxygen during an emergency, possibly resulting
in injury to airplane occupants.
DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2016.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 30,
2016.
ADDRESSES: For Airbus service information identified in this final
rule, 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. For B/E Aerospace service information
identified in this final rule, contact B/E Aerospace Inc., 10800 Pflumm
Road, Lenexa, KS 66215; telephone: 913-338-9800; fax: 913-469-8419;
Internet http://beaerospace.com/home/globalsupport. 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. It is also
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-7528.
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-2015-
7528; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
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 by adding an AD that would apply to 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. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on December 23, 2015 (80 FR 79745) (``the NPRM''). The
NPRM was prompted by reports of premature aging of certain passenger
chemical oxygen generators that resulted in the generators failing to
activate. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine if
certain passenger chemical oxygen generators are installed and
replacement of affected passenger chemical oxygen generators. We are
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the passenger chemical oxygen
generator to activate and consequently not deliver oxygen during an
emergency, possibly resulting in injury to airplane occupants.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2015-0118, dated June 24, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition 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. The MCAI states:
Reports have been received indicating premature ageing of
certain chemical oxygen generators, Part Number (P/N) 117042-XX (XX
representing any numerical value), manufactured by B/E Aerospace.
Some operators reported that when they tried to activate generators,
some older units failed to activate. Given the number of failed
units reported, all generators manufactured in
[[Page 33360]]
1999, 2000, and 2001 were considered unreliable.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the
generator to activate and consequently not deliver oxygen during an
emergency, possibly resulting in injury to aeroplane occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued Alert
Operators Transmission (AOT) A35W008-14, making reference to B/E
Aerospace Service Information Letter (SIL) D1019-01 (currently at
Revision 1) and B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin (SB) 117042-35-001.
Consequently, EASA issued AD 2014-0280 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2014-0280] to require identification and replacement of the affected
oxygen generators.
Since EASA AD 2014-0280 was issued, and following new
investigation results, EASA [has] decided to introduce a life
limitation concerning all P/N 117042-XX chemical oxygen generators,
manufactured by B/E Aerospace.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2014-0280, which is superseded, expands the
scope of the [EASA] AD to include chemical oxygen generators
manufactured after 2001, and requires their removal from service
before exceeding 10 years since date of manufacture.
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-2015-
7528.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Additional Change Made to This AD
In paragraph (i) of the proposed AD, we inadvertently referred to
Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A35N006-14, including
Appendix 01, dated December 10, 2014, as the appropriate source of
service information for replacing 22 minute passenger chemical oxygen
generators. We have corrected that error in paragraph (i) of this AD,
which refers to Airbus AOT A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014,
including Appendix A, undated, as the appropriate source of service
information for replacing 22 minute passenger chemical oxygen
generators.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD with the change described
previously, and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these
minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed the following service information.
Airbus AOT A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014, including
Appendix A, undated.
B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 117042-35-001, dated
December 10, 2014.
This service information describes procedures to replace certain
passenger chemical oxygen generators. This service information is
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in
the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 166 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD, and 1 work-hour per
product for reporting. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Required parts will cost about $390 per product. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be
$107,070, or $645 per product.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
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.
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:
[[Page 33361]]
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):
2016-10-13 Airbus: Amendment 39-18524. Docket No. FAA-2015-7528;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-004-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective June 30, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(5) of this AD, certificated
in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
(1) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622
airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(3) Airbus Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
(4) Airbus Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(5) Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324,
and -325 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of premature aging of certain
passenger chemical oxygen generators that resulted in the generators
failing to activate. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the passenger chemical oxygen generator to activate and consequently
not deliver oxygen during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury
to airplane occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Part Number Inspection
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, do a one-
time inspection of passenger chemical oxygen generators, part
numbers (P/N) 117042-02 (15 minutes (min)--2 masks), 117042-03 (15
min--3 masks), 117042-04 (15 min--4 masks), 117042-22 (22 min--2
masks), 117042-23 (22 min--3 masks), or 117042-24 (22 min--4 masks),
to determine the date of manufacture, as specified in Airbus Alert
Operators Transmission (AOT) A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014,
including Appendix A, undated. Refer to Figure 1 to paragraph (g) of
this AD and Figure 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD for the location of
the date. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable for
the inspection required by this paragraph, provided the date of
manufacture can be conclusively determined by that review.
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(h) Replacement of Passenger Chemical Oxygen Generators Manufactured in
1999, 2000, and 2001
If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
any passenger chemical oxygen generator having a date of manufacture
in 1999, 2000, or 2001 is found: At the applicable time specified in
paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD, remove and replace
the affected passenger chemical oxygen generator with a serviceable
unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of B/E
Aerospace Service Bulletin 117042-35-001, dated December 10, 2014
(for 15 minute passenger chemical oxygen generators); or Airbus AOT
A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014, including Appendix A, undated
(for 22 minute passenger chemical oxygen generators); as applicable.
(1) For passenger chemical oxygen generators that have a date of
manufacture in 1999: Remove and replace within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD.
(2) For passenger chemical oxygen generators that have a date of
manufacture in 2000: Remove and replace within 6 months after the
effective date of this AD.
(3) For passenger chemical oxygen generators that have a date of
manufacture in 2001: Remove and replace within 12 months after the
effective date of this AD.
(i) Replacement of Passenger Chemical Oxygen Generators Manufactured in
2002 and Later
If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
any passenger chemical oxygen generator having a date specified in
Table 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD is found: At the applicable time
specified in Table 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD, remove and replace
the affected passenger chemical oxygen generator with a serviceable
unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of B/E
Aerospace Service Bulletin 117042-35-001, dated December 10, 2014
(for 15 minute passenger chemical oxygen generators); or Airbus AOT
A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014, including Appendix A, undated
(for 22 minute passenger chemical oxygen generators); as applicable.
[[Page 33363]]
Table 1 to Paragraph (i) of This AD--Replacement Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year of manufacture Compliance time
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2002................................. Within 12 months after the
effective date of this AD.
2003................................. Within 16 months after the
effective date of this AD.
2004................................. Within 20 months after the
effective date of this AD.
2005................................. Within 24 months after the
effective date of this AD.
2006................................. Within 28 months after the
effective date of this AD.
2007................................. Within 32 months after the
effective date of this AD.
2008................................. Within 36 months after the
effective date of this AD.
2009................................. Before exceeding 10 years since
date of manufacture of the
passenger chemical oxygen
generator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(j) Definition of Serviceable
For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable unit is a passenger
chemical oxygen generator having P/N 117042-XX (XX represents any
numerical value) with a manufacturing date not older than 10 years,
or any other approved part number, provided that the generator has
not exceeded the life limit established for that generator by the
manufacturer.
(k) Reporting
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2)
of this AD, submit a report of the findings (both positive and
negative) of the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, in
accordance with paragraph 7., ``Reporting,'' of Airbus AOT A35W008-
14, dated December 18, 2014, including Appendix A, undated. The
report must include the information specified in Appendix A,
undated, of Airbus AOT A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD.
(l) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
passenger chemical oxygen generator, unless it is determined, prior
to installation, that the oxygen generator is a serviceable unit (as
defined in paragraph (j) of this AD).
(m) 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave.
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance
Officer, AES-200.
(n) Related Information
Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
EASA AD 2015-0118, dated June 24, 2015, 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-
2015-7528.
(o) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A35W008-14, dated
December 18, 2014, including Appendix A, undated.
(ii) B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 117042-35-001, dated
December 10, 2014.
(3) For Airbus 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.
(4) For B/E Aerospace service information identified in this AD,
contact B/E Aerospace Inc., 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS 66215;
telephone: 913-338-9800; fax: 913-469-8419; Internet http://beaerospace.com/home/globalsupport.
(5) 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.
(6) 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 12, 2016.
Suzanne Masterson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-12156 Filed 5-25-16; 8:45 am]
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