[Federal Register: October 12, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 197)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60089-60092]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12oc06-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26047; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-146-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-605R Airplanes and
Model A310-308, -324, and -325 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-605R airplanes and Model A310-308, -
324, and -325 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the
Bruce floor plan electrical emergency path marking system (FPEEPMS)
and, for certain airplanes, modifying the automatic switching of the
emergency lighting system. This proposed AD results from a report that
in the case of vertical separation of the fuselage forward of
[[Page 60090]]
door 1, the FPEEPMS and the exit signs do not turn on. We are proposing
this AD to prevent inadequate lighting and marking of the escape path,
which could delay or impede the flightcrew and passengers when exiting
the airplane during an emergency landing.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 13,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26047; Directorate identifier 2006-NM-146-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of 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 with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
airworthiness authority for the European Union, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-605R
airplanes and Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes. The EASA
advises that a report has shown that in the case of vertical separation
of the fuselage forward of door 1, the Bruce floor plan electrical
emergency path marking system (FPEEPMS) and the exit signs do not turn
on. This condition, if not corrected, could result in inadequate
lighting and marking of the escape path, which could delay or impede
the flightcrew and passengers when exiting the airplane during an
emergency landing.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-33-6047, Revision 01, dated
January 20, 2006 (for Model A300 B4-605R airplanes); and Service
Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January 20, 2006 (for Model
A310-308, -24, and -325 airplanes). The service bulletins describe
procedures for modifying the Bruce FPEEPMS. The modification includes
the following actions, depending on the configuration of the airplane:
Modifying equipment and wiring between air bleed panel
436VU and the avionics compartment.
Modifying terminal block 5700 VT and installing wiring.
Modifying terminal blocks 4701VT, 4903VT, 5503VT, and
5702VT.
Removing, installing, and modifying wiring in various
locations, such as from the aft power supply unit through the cabin
with connection to all other power supply units and the EMERG LIGHT
switch 28WL.
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January
20, 2006, also specifies prior or concurrent accomplishment of Airbus
Service Bulletin A310-33-2025, Revision 01, dated April 17, 2001, for
modifying the automatic switching of the emergency lighting system. The
modification of the automatic switching involves the following actions:
Modifying equipment and wiring in the relay box 104VU.
Modifying equipment and wiring in the relay box 107VU.
Modifying wiring in the alternating current power center
101VU.
Modifying equipment and wiring in the avionics
compartment, zone 120.
Modifying wiring between the flight compartment, zone 210,
and the avionics compartment, zone 120.
Doing the actions specified in A310-33-2025 concurrently
or prior to the modification of the automatic switching.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-33-6047, Revision 01, and Service Bulletin
A310-33-2045, Revision 01, and issued airworthiness directive 2006-
0077, dated April 3, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in the European Union.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. As described in FAA
Order 8100.14A, ``Interim Procedures for Working with the European
Community on Airworthiness Certification and Continued Airworthiness,''
dated August 12, 2005, the EASA has kept the FAA informed of the
situation described above. We have examined the EASA's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously.
[[Page 60091]]
Difference Between the EASA Airworthiness Directive and This Proposed
AD
The applicability of EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0077
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2045,
Revision 01, or A300-33-6047, Revision 01, have been accomplished in
service. However, we have not excluded those airplanes in the
applicability of this proposed AD; rather, this proposed AD includes a
requirement to accomplish the actions specified in Revision 01 of those
service bulletins, as applicable. This requirement would ensure that
the actions specified in the applicable service bulletin and required
by this proposed AD are accomplished on all affected airplanes.
Operators must continue to operate the airplane in the configuration
required by this proposed AD unless an alternative method of compliance
is approved.
Clarification of Concurrent Service Bulletin
EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0077 does not specify doing
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2025, Revision 01, dated April 17,
2001, which is a concurrent service bulletin for Airbus Service
Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January 20, 2006. This
proposed AD specifies doing Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2025,
Revision 01, dated April 17, 2001. We have coordinated with the EASA
that this concurrent action is necessary to ensure continued safety.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Modification of FPEEPMS............. 44 to 47................ $80 $2,570 to $2,690................. $6,090 to $6,450................. 1 $6,090 to $6,450.
Modification of automatic switching. 14...................... 80 $534 to $727..................... $1,654 to $1,847................. 1 $1,654 to $1,847.
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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 have 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 that the 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. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2006-26047; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
146-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November
13, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-605R airplanes and
Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes, certificated in any
category; on which Airbus Modification 06810 or 06934 (Bruce floor
proximity emergency escape path marking system (FPEEPMS)) has been
installed in production; or on which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
33-6047 or A310-33-2045, both dated March 5, 2004, has been done.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that in the case of vertical
separation of the fuselage forward of door 1, the FPEEPMS and the
exit signs do not turn on. We are issuing this AD to prevent
inadequate lighting and marking of the escape path, which could
delay or impede the flightcrew and passengers when exiting the
airplane during an emergency landing.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Modification
(f) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the Bruce FPEEPMS in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-33-6047, Revision 01, dated January
20, 2006 (for Model A300 B4-605R airplanes); or Airbus Service
Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January 20, 2006 (for
[[Page 60092]]
Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes); as applicable.
(g) For Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes: Prior to or
concurrently with the modification required in paragraph (f) of this
AD, modify the automatic switching of the emergency lighting system
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A310-33-2025, Revision 01, dated April 17, 2001.
Modifications Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service
Bulletin
(h) Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this
AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2025, dated
March 1, 1993, are considered acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding action specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(j) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness
directive 2006-0077, dated April 3, 2006, also addresses the subject
of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 3, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-16882 Filed 10-11-06; 8:45 am]
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