[Federal Register: December 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 248)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 77632-77634]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27de06-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26684; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-193-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 all Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes. This proposed AD would
require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating new and
revised certification maintenance requirements (CMRs). This proposed AD
results from the manufacturer's determination that additional and
revised CMRs are necessary in order to ensure continued operational
safety of the affected airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent
safety-significant latent failures that would, in combination with one
or more other specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or
catastrophic failure condition.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 26,
2007.
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 a.m.
and 5 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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2797; 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-
26684; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-193-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 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 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 Part
3, ``Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR)'' of the
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) for Model A330 and A340
airplanes has been updated. The new CMRs, among other things, introduce
certain more restrictive limitations and inspection intervals for
airplanes already in service. CMRs are intended to detect safety-
significant latent failures that would, in combination with one or more
other specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or
catastrophic failure condition.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued A330 Certification Maintenance Requirements
955.2074/93, Issue 19, dated March 22, 2006, to Part 3 of the A330 ALS.
Issue 19 of the A330 CMRs:
Describes the effect of increasing the design service goal
(DSG) for the Weight Variant 50 series;
Adds new CMR tasks with more restrictive limitations
associated with modifications and the new DSG;
Changes the status of one task from Two Star to One Star,
with interval extension; and
Introduces more restrictive requirements for airplane
configurations already in service.
Airbus has also issued A340 Certification Maintenance Requirements,
955.3019/92, Issue 14, dated December 19, 2005, to Part 3 of the A340
ALS. Issue 14 of the A340 CMRs:
Introduces a new Model A340-643;
Describes the effect of increasing the DSG for the Weight
Variant 50 series;
Revises the applicability of some tasks;
Adds new CMR tasks associated with modifications and the
new DSG;
Revises some CMR tasks to have more restrictive intervals;
Deletes CMR status from some tasks; and
Introduces more restrictive requirements for airplane
configurations already in service.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. EASA mandated the
service information and issued airworthiness directive 2006-0224, dated
July 27, 2006 (for Model A330 airplanes), and 2006-0225, dated July 21,
2006 (for Model A340 airplanes), 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
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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 revising
the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness by incorporating new and revised CMRs.
Clarification of Compliance Time
We have clarified the compliance time for revising the
Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness to include a 3-month grace period.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 27 Model A330 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
$2,160, or $80 per airplane.
Currently there are no affected A340 airplanes on the U.S.
Register. However, if an affected airplane is imported and placed on
the U.S. Register in the future, the required actions would take about
1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD is
$80 per airplane.
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-2006-26684; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
193-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January
26, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according
to paragraph (g) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular
(AC) 25-1529.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from the manufacturer's determination that
additional and revised certification maintenance requirements (CMRs)
are necessary in order to ensure continued operational safety of the
affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent safety-
significant latent failures that would, in combination with one or
more other specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or
catastrophic failure condition.
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.
Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness
(f) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise
the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness by incorporating Airbus A330 Certification
Maintenance Requirements, 955.2074/93, Issue 19, dated March 22,
2006 (for all Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus A340 Certification
Maintenance Requirements, 955.3019/92, Issue 14, dated December 19,
2005 (for all Model A340 airplanes). Accomplish the actions
specified in the applicable CMR at the times specified in the
applicable CMR and in accordance with the applicable CMR, except as
provided by paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this
AD.
(1) The associated interval for any new task is to be counted
from the effective date of this AD.
(2) The associated interval for any revised task is to be
counted from the previous performance of the task.
(3) For Model A340 airplanes that have exceeded the more
restrictive limitations of Airbus A340 Certification Maintenance
Requirements, 955.3019/92, Issue 14, Maintenance Significant Item
(MSI) 21.28.00 and 21.43.00: Do the task within 2,500 flight hours
after the previous accomplishment. Repeat the task thereafter at the
applicable interval in the Airbus A340 Certification Maintenance
Requirements, Issue 14.
(4) For Model A340 airplanes that have accumulated more than
2,700 flight hours since the last maintenance done in accordance
with Airbus A340 Certification Maintenance Requirements, 955.3019/
92, Issue 14, MSI 28.24.00: Do the next task within 800 flight hours
after the effective date of this AD. Repeat the task thereafter at
[[Page 77634]]
the applicable interval in the Airbus A340 Certification Maintenance
Requirements, Issue 14.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(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
(h) EASA airworthiness directives 2006-0224, dated July 27,
2006, and 2006-0225, dated July 21, 2006, also address the subject
of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 19, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-22111 Filed 12-26-06; 8:45 am]
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