Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 10, 2004 / Proposed Rules 65097

examination of an interior or exterior area, 

installation, or assembly to detect obvious 

damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of 

inspection is made from within touching 

distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror 

may be necessary to enhance visual access to 

all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. 

This level of inspection is made under 

normally available lighting conditions such 

as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 

droplight and may require removal or 

opening of access panels or doors. Stands, 

ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 

proximity to the area being checked.’’

No Reporting Requirement 

(g) Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 200–

32A–213, dated August 19, 2003, specifies to 

submit a service reply card to the 

manufacturer, but this AD does not include 

that requirement. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(h) 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. 

Related Information 

(i) Israeli airworthiness directive 32–03–

08–07, dated August 20, 2003, also addresses 

the subject of this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

November 1, 2004. 

Kalene C. Yanamura, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04–25029 Filed 11–9–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2004–19566; Directorate 

Identifier 2004–NM–72–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A300 B2 and A300 B4 Series Airplanes; 

and Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and 

F4–600R Series Airplanes, and Model 

C4–605R Variant F Airplanes 

(Collectively Called A300–600)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Airbus airplanes as listed above. 

This proposed AD would require 

repetitively inspecting for cracking in 

the web of nose rib 7 of the inner flap 

on the wings, and related investigative/

corrective actions if necessary. This 

proposed AD is prompted by reports of 

cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the 

inner flap. We are proposing this AD to 

detect and correct cracking in the web 

of nose rib 7, which could result in 

rupture of the attachment fitting 

between the inner flap and flap track no. 

2, and consequent reduced structural 

integrity of the flap.

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by December 10, 

2004.

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. 

• By 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. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Airbus, 1 

Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 

Blagnac Cedex, France. 

You can examine the contents of this 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility, U.S. Department 

of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street 

SW., room PL–401, on the plaza level of 

the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Technical information: Dan Rodina, 

Aerospace Engineer, International 

Branch, ANM–116, FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2125; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

Plain language information: Marcia 

Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

The FAA has implemented new 

procedures for maintaining AD dockets 

electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new 

AD actions are posted on DMS and 

assigned a docket number. We track 

each action and assign a corresponding 

directorate identifier. The DMS AD 

docket number is in the form ‘‘Docket 

No. FAA–2004–99999.’’ The Transport 

Airplane Directorate identifier is in the 

form ‘‘Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–

999–AD.’’ Each DMS AD docket also 

lists the directorate identifier (‘‘Old 

Docket Number’’) as a cross-reference 

for searching purposes. 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to submit any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments 

regarding this proposed AD. Send your 

comments to an address listed under 

ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–

2004–19566; Directorate Identifier 

2004–NM–72–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 submitted 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 our docket 

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 can 

review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act 

Statement in the Federal Register

published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 

19477–78), or you can visit http://

dms.dot.gov.

We are reviewing the writing style we 

currently use in regulatory documents. 

We are interested in your comments on 

whether the style of this document is 

clear, and your suggestions to improve 

the clarity of our communications that 

affect you. You can get more 

information about plain language at 

http://www.faa.gov/language and http://

www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket 

You can 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 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 DMS receives 

them. 

Discussion 

The Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation 

Civile (DGAC), which is the 

65098 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 10, 2004 / Proposed Rules 

airworthiness authority for France, 

notified us that an unsafe condition may 

exist on all Airbus Model A300 B2 and 

A300 B4 series airplanes; and Model 

A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R 

series airplanes, and Model C4–605R 

Variant F airplanes (collectively called 

A300–600). The DGAC advises that two 

operators have found cracking in the 

web of nose rib 7 at flap track no. 2 of 

the inner flap. Cracking in this area, if 

not corrected, could result in rupture of 

the attachment fitting between the inner 

flap and flap track no. 2, and 

consequent reduced structural integrity 

of the flap. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued Service Bulletins 

A300–57–0240 (for Model A300 B2 and 

B4 series airplanes) and A300–57–6095 

(for Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and 

F4–600R series airplanes, and Model 

C4–605R Variant F airplanes 

(collectively called A300–600)), both 

including Appendix 01, and both dated 

April 7, 2003. These service bulletins 

describe procedures for performing an 

inspection using a borescope or 

endoscope to detect cracking of the 

vertical stiffeners of nose rib 7 of the 

inner flap of the left- and right-hand 

wings, and related investigative/

corrective actions if necessary. The 

related investigative/corrective actions 

apply if any cracking is found and 

involve performing high-frequency eddy 

current inspections for cracking of the 

fastener holes of nose rib 7, performing 

a detailed visual inspection for cracking 

in the upper radii of the upper and 

lower skin flanges of the ribs and front 

spar of the wing, and replacing nose rib 

7 with a new, improved nose rib. If any 

cracking is found during the related 

investigative actions, the service 

bulletin specifies to contact Airbus. 

Accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information is intended to 

adequately address the unsafe 

condition. The DGAC mandated the 

service information and issued French 

airworthiness directive 2003–410(B), 

dated October 29, 2003, to ensure the 

continued airworthiness of these 

airplanes in France. 

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. Pursuant to this bilateral 

airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has 

kept the FAA informed of the situation 

described above. We have examined the 

DGAC’s findings, evaluated all pertinent 

information, and determined that AD 

action is necessary for products of this 

type design that are certificated for 

operation in the United States. 

Therefore, we are proposing this AD, 

which would require you to do the 

actions specified in the service 

information described previously, 

except as discussed under ‘‘Differences 

Among the Proposed AD, Service 

Information, and French Airworthiness 

Directive.’’

Differences Among the Proposed AD, 

Service Information, and French 

Airworthiness Directive 

The service information specifies that 

you may contact the manufacturer for 

instructions on how to repair certain 

conditions, but this proposed AD would 

require you to repair those conditions 

using a method that we or the DGAC (or 

its delegated agent) approve. In light of 

the type of repair that would be required 

to address the unsafe condition, and 

consistent with existing bilateral 

airworthiness agreements, we have 

determined that, for this proposed AD, 

a repair we or the DGAC approve would 

be acceptable for compliance with this 

proposed AD. 

Unlike the procedures described in 

the service information, this proposed 

AD would not permit further flight if 

any crack is detected in nose rib 7 of the 

inner flap. We have determined that, 

because of the safety implications and 

consequences associated with that 

cracking, all applicable related 

investigative/corrective actions must be 

done before further flight after the crack 

finding. 

The service information and the 

French airworthiness directive specify 

reporting inspection findings to Airbus. 

This proposed AD would not require 

that action. 

Costs of Compliance 

This proposed AD would affect about 

143 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 

proposed actions would take about 2 

work hours per airplane, at an average 

labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based 

on these figures, the estimated cost of 

the proposed AD for U.S. operators is 

$18,590, or $130 per airplane, per 

inspection cycle. 

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. 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2004–19566; 

Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–72–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration 

must receive comments on this AD action by 

December 10, 2004. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None.

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model 

A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes; and 

Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R 

series airplanes, and Model C4–605R Variant 

F airplanes (collectively called A300–600); 

certificated in any category. 

Unsafe Condition 

(d) This AD was prompted by reports of 

cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the inner 

flap. We are issuing this AD to detect and 

correct cracking in the web of nose rib 7, 

which could result in rupture of the 

attachment fitting between the inner flap and 

flap track no. 2, and consequent reduced 

structural integrity of the flap. 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 10, 2004 / Proposed Rules 65099

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. 

Service Bulletin Reference 

(f) The term ‘‘service bulletin,’’ as used in 

this AD, means the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the service bulletin in 

paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, as 

applicable. These service bulletins specify to 

submit certain information to the 

manufacturer, but this AD does not include 

that requirement. 

(1) For Model A300 B2 and B4 series 

airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A300–57–

0240, including Appendix 01, dated April 7, 

2003. 

(2) For Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and 

F4–600R series airplanes, and Model C4–

605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called 

A300–600): Airbus Service Bulletin A300–

57–6095, including Appendix 01, dated April 

7, 2003. 

Inspections 

(g) Do an inspection, using a borescope or 

endoscope, for cracking of the vertical 

stiffeners of nose rib 7 of the inner flap of the 

left- and right-hand wings in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of the 

service bulletin. Do the initial inspection at 

the applicable compliance time specified in 

paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD. 

(1) For airplanes with 18,599 or fewer total 

flight cycles as of the effective date of this 

AD: Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total 

flight cycles, or within 1,000 flight cycles 

after the effective date of this AD, whichever 

is later. 

(2) For airplanes with 18,600 or more total 

flight cycles as of the effective date of this 

AD: Within 500 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD. 

Repetitive Inspections 

(h) If no cracking is found during the 

inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 

AD: Repeat the inspection at intervals not to 

exceed 1,000 flight cycles. 

Related Investigative/Corrective Actions 

(i) If any cracking is found during any 

inspection required by paragraph (g) or (h) of 

this AD: Before further flight, accomplish all 

related investigative and corrective actions 

specified in the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the service bulletin, except as 

provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. Within 

5,000 flight cycles after doing the repair 

specified in the service bulletin, do the 

inspection in paragraph (g) of this AD, and 

thereafter, repeat the inspection, as 

applicable, at intervals not to exceed 1,000 

flight cycles. 

(j) If any cracking is found for which the 

service bulletin specifies to contact Airbus: 

Before further flight, repair per a method 

approved by either the Manager, 

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate; or the 

Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation Civile (or its 

delegated agent). 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(k) The Manager, International Branch, 

ANM–116, has the authority to approve 

AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 

accordance with the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. 

Related Information 

(l) French airworthiness directive 2003–

410(B), dated October 29, 2003, also 

addresses the subject of this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

November 1, 2004. 

Kalene C. Yanamura, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04–25030 Filed 11–9–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA–2004–19567; Directorate 

Identifier 2004–NM–118–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 737–200, –200C, –300, –400, 

–500, –600, –700, –700C, –800, and 

–900 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Boeing Model 737–200, –200C, 

–300, –400, –500, –600, –700, –700C, 

–800, and –900 series airplanes. This 

proposed AD would require a one-time 

detailed inspection for discrepancies of 

the secondary fuel vapor barrier of the 

wing center section, and related 

investigative/corrective actions if 

necessary. This proposed AD is 

prompted by reports that the secondary 

fuel vapor barrier was not applied 

correctly to, or was missing from, 

certain areas of the wing center section. 

We are proposing this AD to prevent 

fuel or fuel vapors from leaking into the 

cargo or passenger compartments and 

coming into contact with a possible 

ignition source, which could result in 

fire or explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by December 27, 

2004.

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. 

• By 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. 

You can get the service information 

identified in this proposed AD from 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, PO Box 

3707, Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. 

You can examine the contents of this 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket 

Management Facility, U.S. Department 

of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street 

SW, room PL–401, on the plaza level of 

the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical information: Doug Pegors, 

Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, 

ANM–140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, 

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056; 

telephone (425) 917–6504; fax (425) 

917–6590. 

Plain language information: Marcia 

Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

The FAA has implemented new 

procedures for maintaining AD dockets 

electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new 

AD actions are posted on DMS and 

assigned a docket number. We track 

each action and assign a corresponding 

directorate identifier. The DMS AD 

docket number is in the form ‘‘Docket 

No. FAA–2004–99999.’’ The Transport 

Airplane Directorate identifier is in the 

form ‘‘Directorate Identifier 2004-NM–

999-AD.’’ Each DMS AD docket also 

lists the directorate identifier (‘‘Old 

Docket Number’’) as a cross-reference 

for searching purposes.

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 under 

ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–

2004–19567; Directorate Identifier 2004-

NM–118-AD’’ in the subject line of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of the proposed AD. We will