63266 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 16, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to all airplanes identified 

in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, 

certificated in any category. 

(1) Airbus A330–201, –202, –203, –223, 

–223F, –243, –243F, –301, –302, –303, –321, 

–322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 airplanes. 

(2) Airbus A340–211, –212, –213, –311, 

–312, and –313 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 53; Fuselage. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report of a 

manufacturing defect in certain rods installed 

in the belly fairing, which could lead to 

cracks at the crimped end of the rod. We are 

issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking 

of the rods, which could result in rupture of 

rods that attach the belly fairing to the 

airframe, leading to separation of the belly 

fairing from the airframe, and consequent 

damage to airplane structure and airplane 

systems. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for having the actions 

required by this AD performed within the 

compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

(g) Actions 

For Model A330–201, –202, –203, –223, 

–223F, –243, –243F, –301, –302, –303, –321, 

–322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 airplanes, 

having manufacturer serial number (MSN) 

0002 to 1113 inclusive, except MSN 0996, 

1039, 1054, 1059, 1105, 1107, 1108 and 1112; 

and Model A340–211, –212, –213, –311, 

–312, and –313 airplanes: Within 72 months 

after the effective date of this AD, accomplish 

the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of 

this AD, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–53–3186, 

excluding Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated 

April 7, 2011 (for Model A330 airplanes); or 

A340–53–4185, excluding Appendix 01, 

Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011 (for Model 

A340 airplanes). 

(1) Do a detailed inspection of the 21 rods 

of the belly fairing identified in Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–53–3186, 

excluding Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated 

April 7, 2011 (for Model A330 airplanes); or 

A340–53–4185, excluding Appendix 01, 

Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011 (for Model 

A340 airplanes); for rod manufacturer 

identification. A review of airplane 

maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of 

this inspection if the manufacturer of the 

rods can be conclusively determined from 

that review. 

(2) If the rod manufacturer is found to be 

Technical Airborne Components Industries 

(TAC), or if the manufacturer cannot be 

identified, do a high frequency eddy current 

(HFEC) inspection for cracking of the 

crimped end of the rod body and, if any crack 

is found, before further flight, do all 

applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions. 

(h) Parts Installation Limitations 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install any affected TAC rod, as 

identified in Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A330–53–3186, Revision 01, dated 

April 7, 2011; or A340–53–4185, Revision 01, 

dated April 7, 2011; as applicable; on any 

airplane unless the rod has passed (found to 

have no cracking) the inspection as required 

by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD. 

(i) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

inspections and corrective actions required 

by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions 

were performed before the effective date of 

this AD using Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A330–53–3186, dated January 17, 

2011; or A340–53–4185, dated January 17, 

2011; which are not incorporated by 

reference. 

(j) 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: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: (425) 227–1138; fax: (425) 227–1149. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116- 

AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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) 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. 

(k) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 

Airworthiness Directive 2012–0005, dated 

January 10, 2012, and the Airbus service 

information identified in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) 

and (k)(1)(ii) of this AD, for related 

information. 

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A330–53–3186, excluding Appendix 01, 

Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011. 

(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A340–53–4185, excluding Appendix 01, 

Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS—Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may 

review copies of the 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. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 

4, 2012. 

Dionne Palermo, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–25427 Filed 10–15–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1073; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–078–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 767–300 

series airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a report that, for certain 

airplanes, reinforcement straps were not 

bonded to the center overhead stowage 

bins in the passenger compartment. For 

certain airplanes, this proposed AD 

would require performing an inspection 

of reinforcement straps to ensure they 

are correctly bonded to the center 

overhead stowage bins, and bonding the 

reinforcement straps to the center 

overhead stowage bins if necessary. For 

certain airplanes, this proposed AD 

would require installing reinforcement 

straps on the center overhead stowage 

bins. We are proposing this AD to 

prevent missing or incorrectly bonded 

reinforcement straps, which could result 

in the center overhead stowage bins 

breaking loose and causing injury to 

passengers and damage to equipment 

during in-flight turbulence. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by November 30, 

2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 


pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 16, 2012 / Proposed Rules 63267 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data 

& Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, 

MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; 

fax 206–766–5680; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 

review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, Washington. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.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 

(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental 

Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425– 

917–6483; fax: 425–917–6590; email: 

sarah.piccola@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2012–1073; Directorate Identifier 2012– 

NM–078–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 because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.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 

We received a report that, for certain 

airplanes, reinforcement straps installed 

at specified stations for the center 

overhead stowage bins in the passenger 

compartment were not correctly bonded 

to the stowage bins. In addition, for 

some airplanes, reinforcement straps 

may have been missing on the center 

overhead stowage bins at other specified 

stations. This condition, if not 

corrected, could result in the center 

overhead stowage bins breaking loose 

and causing injury to passengers and 

damage to equipment during in-flight 

turbulence. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Special 

Attention Service Bulletin 767–25– 

0520, dated February 8, 2012. For 

certain airplanes, this service bulletin 

describes procedures for general visual 

and detailed inspections of the existing 

reinforcement straps installed on the 

center overhead storage bins in the 

passenger compartment to ensure they 

are bonded to the center overhead 

storage bins. For airplanes on which the 

straps are incorrectly bonded, this 

service bulletin describes procedures for 

bonding the reinforcement straps to the 

center overhead stowage bins. For 

certain airplanes, this service bulletin 

describes procedures for installing 

reinforcement straps. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 4 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 

Group 1 and Group 2 Airplanes: General Visual 

Inspection for Correct 

Bonding.

2 work-hours × $85 per 

hour = $170.

$0 ...................................... $170 .................................. $340 (2 airplanes). 

Group 1 and Group 3 Airplanes: Install Reinforcement Straps.7 work-hours × $85 per 

hour = $595.

$1,277 or $1,746 ............... $1,872 or $2,341 ............... Up to $4,682 (2 airplanes). 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary repairs that would be 

required based on the results of the 

proposed inspection. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need this repair: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product 

Group 1 and Group 2 Airplanes: Bonding 

Existing Reinforcement Straps to the 

Center Overhead Stowage Bins.

Between 7 and 12 work-hours × $85 per 

hour = $595 to $1,020.

$0 Between $595 and $1,020. 


pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1
63268 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 16, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

According to the manufacturer, some 

of the costs of this proposed AD may be 

covered under warranty, thereby 

reducing the cost impact on affected 

individuals. We do not control warranty 

coverage for affected individuals. As a 

result, we have included all costs in our 

cost estimate. 

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 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), 

(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. 

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): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2012–1073; Directorate Identifier 2012– 

NM–078–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by November 

30, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 767–300 series airplanes, certificated 

in any category, as identified in Boeing 

Special Attention Service Bulletin 767–25– 

0520, dated February 8, 2012. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 2520, Passenger Compartment 

Equipment. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This proposed AD was prompted by a 

report that, for certain airplanes, 

reinforcement straps were not bonded to the 

center overhead stowage bins in the 

passenger compartment. We are issuing this 

AD to prevent missing or incorrectly bonded 

reinforcement straps, which could result in 

the center overhead stowage bins breaking 

loose and causing injury to passengers and 

damage to equipment during in-flight 

turbulence. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Inspection, Bonding, and Installation of 

Reinforcement Straps 

Within 36 months after the effective date 

of this AD, do a general visual or detailed 

inspection to determine the condition of the 

reinforcement straps for the center overhead 

stowage bins, and bond the reinforcement 

straps to the stowage bins as applicable; and 

install reinforcement straps as applicable; in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 

Service Bulletin 767–25–0520, dated 

February 8, 2012. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), ANM–150S, 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 manager of the ACO, send it 

to the attention of the person identified in the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. 

(2) 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. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Sarah Piccola, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems 

Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 

Renton, Washington 98057–3356; phone: 

(425) 917–6483; fax: (425) 917–6590; email: 

sarah.piccola@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 

Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, 

Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone (206) 

544–5000, extension 1; fax (206) 766–5680; 

Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You 

may review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 

4, 2012. 

Dionne Palermo, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–25450 Filed 10–15–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1071; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–070–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A310–203 airplanes. This 

proposed AD was prompted by a report 

of an analysis that demonstrated a 

reduced fatigue life for the side link 

bolts, center sway link bolts, and thrust 

link bolts on the forward engine 

mounts. This proposed AD would 

require repetitive replacement of those 


pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1