[Federal Register: May 29, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 102)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 29449-29451]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29my07-10]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28300; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-292-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series 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 the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
The Chromic Acid Anodising (CAA) Lead Fleet Program was
established in 1989 to observe corrosion/debonding behaviour of CAA-
treated panels. CAA lead fleet includes the inspection of lap
joints, circumferential joints, stringers and doublers on selected
aircraft.
The findings in combination with analytical corrosion
investigations have been analysed by the TC (type certificate)
holder and an appropriate inspection program for debonding has been
developed.
This airworthiness directive requires inspection of the
concerned areas to detect any corrosion and/or debonding which could
affect the structural integrity. * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 28, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
[[Page 29450]]
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; 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 Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language
principles.
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-2007-
28300; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-292-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://dms.dot.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 2006-0369, dated December 12, 2006 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
The Chromic Acid Anodising (CAA) Lead Fleet Program was
established in 1989 to observe corrosion/debonding behaviour of CAA-
treated panels. CAA lead fleet includes the inspection of lap
joints, circumferential joints, stringers and doublers on selected
aircraft.
The findings in combination with analytical corrosion
investigations have been analysed by the TC (type certificate)
holder and an appropriate inspection program for debonding has been
developed.
This airworthiness directive requires inspection of the
concerned areas [including repetitive inspections of certain areas]
to detect any corrosion and/or debonding which could affect the
structural integrity. * * *
If any discrepancies are found, repair and follow-up actions
(additional inspections for debonding and corrosion depth) are
required. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-53-0378, dated September 4,
2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. The compliance
times for the initial inspections range between 36,800 to 44,600 total
flight cycles and between 18 and 20 years since new. The grace period
for the initial inspections is 2,000 flight cycles or 2 years,
whichever occurs first. The compliance times for the repairs range from
before further flight to within 2,000 flight cycles after doing the
inspection. The repetitive inspection intervals range from 500 flight
cycles to 3 years.
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 AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 12 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take 102 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $97,920, or $8,160 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.
[[Page 29451]]
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); and
3. 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, 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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-28300; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
292-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by June 28, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 series aircraft,
certificated in any category, manufacturing serial numbers (MSN)
0105 through 0107, 0116, 0117, 0121, 0123 through 0126, 0128, 0129,
0133 through 0141, 0146 through 0152, 0154 through 0157, 0160, 0163,
0170, 0173, 0175 through 0177, and 0180 through 0183.
Subject
(d) Fuselage.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
The Chromic Acid Anodising (CAA) Lead Fleet Program was
established in 1989 to observe corrosion/debonding behaviour of CAA-
treated panels. CAA lead fleet includes the inspection of lap
joints, circumferential joints, stringers and doublers on selected
aircraft.
The findings in combination with analytical corrosion
investigations have been analysed by the TC (type certificate)
holder and an appropriate inspection program for debonding has been
developed.
This airworthiness directive requires inspection of the
concerned areas [including repetitive inspections of certain areas]
to detect any corrosion and/or debonding which could affect the
structural integrity. * * *
If any discrepancies are found, repair and follow-up actions
(additional inspections for debonding and corrosion depth) are
required.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Except as provided by paragraphs (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4)
of this AD: Do the initial and repetitive inspections (including
follow-up actions), as applicable; and do all applicable repairs; of
the areas specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i), (f)(1)(ii),
(f)(1)(iii), and (f)(1)(iv) of this AD, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0378,
dated September 4, 2006, and within the timescales specified in
paragraph 1.E.(2), the Accomplishment Instructions, and the figures
of the service bulletin.
(i) The bonded doubler in the longitudinal lap joint area
between frame (FR)18 and FR80 (configurations 01 and 02 inspect FR18
through FR40; configuration 03 inspects FR18 through FR80).
(ii) The bonded wing doublers between stringer (STGR)22 LH/RH
(left-hand/right-hand) and STGR43 LH/RH for debonding (configuration
01 of the service bulletin only).
(iii) The bonded doublers in the circumferential joint area
between FR26 and FR80 (configurations 01 and 02 inspect FR26 through
FR40; configuration 03 inspects FR26 through FR80).
(iv) The bonded doublers in the manhole area between FR23 RH and
FR24 RH and between FR38.1 RH and FR38.2 RH.
(2) Where paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-
0378, dated September 4, 2006, specifies a grace period from CN
(Consigne de Navigabilit[eacute]) issuance, this AD requires a grace
period relative to the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where paragraph 1.E.(2) of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-
0378, dated September 4, 2006, specifies a threshold, this AD
requires that the inspections be done within the specified threshold
relative to the first flight of the airplane.
(4) Where the Accomplishment Instructions and figures of Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-53-0378, dated September 4, 2006, specify that
inspections be done yearly, this AD requires those inspections to be
done at intervals not to exceed 1 year.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) 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. Send information to ATTN: Tom
Stafford, Aerospace Engineer; 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(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.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2006-0369, dated December 12, 2006; and Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-53-0378; dated September 4, 2006, for related
information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 21, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-10218 Filed 5-25-07; 8:45 am]
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