11690 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2016–3993; Directorate 

Identifier 2015–NM–065–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 A300 series airplanes; 

Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R, F4–600R 

series airplanes, and Model A300 C4– 

605R Variant F airplanes (collectively 

called Model A300–600 series 

airplanes); and Model A310 series 

airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by reports of partial loss of 

no-back brake (NBB) efficiency on the 

trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator 

(THSA). This proposed AD would 

require an inspection to determine 

THSA part number, serial numbers, and 

flight cycles on certain THSAs; and 

repetitive replacement for certain 

THSAs. We are proposing this AD to 

prevent loss of THSA NBB efficiency, 

which in conjunction with the power 

gear not able to keep the ball screw in 

its last commanded position, could lead 

to an uncommanded movement of the 

horizontal stabilizer, possibly resulting 

in loss of control of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 21, 2016. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• 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: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Airbus SAS, 

Airworthiness Office—EAW, 1 Rond 

Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 

Cedex, France; telephone: +33 5 61 93 

36 96; fax: +33 5 61 93 44 51; email: 

account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; 

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

may view this 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– 

3993; 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 Operations 

office (telephone: 800–647–5527) is in 

the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 

be available in the AD docket shortly 

after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan 

Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; telephone: 425–227–2125; 

fax: 425–227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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–2016–3993; Directorate Identifier 

2015–NM–065–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://

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 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA AD 2015–0081, 

dated May 7, 2015 (referred to after this 

as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition. 

The MCAI states: 

During endurance qualification tests on a 

Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator 

(THSA) concerning another aeroplane type, a 

partial loss of the noback brake (NBB) 

efficiency was experienced. Investigation 

results concluded that this partial loss of 

braking efficiency in some specific 

aerodynamic load conditions was due to 

polishing and auto-contamination of the NBB 

carbon friction disks. 

Due to design similarity on the A300–600, 

A300–600ST and A310 fleet, the same tests 

were initiated by the THSA manufacturer on 

certain type THSA, sampled from the field. 

Subject tests confirmed that THSA Part 

Number (P/N) 47142 series, as installed on 

the A300–600, A300–600ST and A310 fleet, 

are also affected by this partial loss of NBB 

efficiency. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, and in conjunction with the power 

gear not able to keep the ball screw in its last 

commanded position, could potentially lead 

to an uncommanded movement of the 

Horizontal Stabilizer, possibly resulting in 

loss of control of the aeroplane. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires the removal from service 

of each affected THSA, with the intent of inshop NBB carbon disk replacement. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– 

3993. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Airbus has issued Airbus Service 

Bulletin A300–27–6070, dated February 

17, 2015; and Airbus Service Bulletin 

A310–27–2106, dated February 17, 

2015. This service information describes 

procedures for inspection and 

replacement of the THSA. 

This service information is reasonably 

available because the interested parties 

have access to it through their normal 

course of business or by the means 

identified in the ADDRESSES section. 

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 these same 

type designs. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules 11691 

Explanation of Compliance Times 

In most ADs, we adopt a compliance 

time allowing a specified amount of 

time after the AD’s effective date. In this 

case, however, EASA has already issued 

regulations that require operators to 

replace certain THSAs to address an 

identified unsafe condition by certain 

dates, but before exceeding certain flight 

cycle limits corresponding to each date. 

To provide for coordinated 

implementation of EASA’s regulations 

and this proposed AD, we are using the 

same compliance dates in this proposed 

AD. 

This AD proposes the replacement of 

the NBB disks at an interval of 14,600 

flight cycles to take full benefit of the 

THSA published life limits. The 

replacement of the THSA NBB disks 

having already accumulated more than 

14,600 flight cycles will start with the 

oldest THSA. A different grace period 

for NBB disks replacement has been 

defined depending on the flight cycles 

accumulated on the THSA NBB disks. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 152 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 27 work-hours per product to 

comply with the basic requirements of 

this proposed AD. The average labor 

rate is $85 per work-hour. Required 

parts would cost about $590,000 per 

product. Based on these figures, we 

estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 

U.S. operators to be $90,028,840, or 

$592,295 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. 

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): 

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2016–3993; 

Directorate Identifier 2015–NM–065–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by April 21, 

2016. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes 

identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(6) 

of this AD, certificated in any category, all 

manufacturer serial numbers. 

(1) Airbus Model A300 B2–1A, B2–1C, 

B2K–3C, B2–203, B4–2C, B4–103, and B4– 

203 airplanes. 

(2) Airbus Model A300 B4–601, B4–603, 

B4–620, and B4–622 airplanes. 

(3) Airbus Model A300 B4–605R and B4– 

622R airplanes. 

(4) Airbus Model A300 F4–605R and F4– 

622R airplanes. 

(5) Airbus Model A300 C4–605R Variant F 

airplanes. 

(6) Airbus Model A310–203, –204, –221, 

–222, –304, –322, –324, and –325 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27, Flight controls. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of partial 

loss of no-back brake (NBB) efficiency on the 

trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator 

(THSA). We are issuing this AD to prevent 

loss of THSA NBB efficiency, which in 

conjunction with the power gear not able to 

keep the ball screw in its last commanded 

position, could lead to an uncommanded 

movement of the horizontal stabilizer, 

possibly resulting in loss of control of the 

airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Affected THSAs 

THSAs affected by the requirements of this 

AD have part numbers (P/Ns) 47142–403, 

47142–413, 47142–414, and 47142–423. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: FAA 

AD 2011–15–08, Amendment 39–16755 (76 

FR 42029, July 18, 2011) requires installation 

of three secondary retention plates for the 

gimbal bearings on the THSA upper primary 

attachment, which involved a THSA part 

number change from the -300 series to the 

–400 series. 

Note 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD: The life 

limits specified in Part 4 of the airworthiness 

limitations section are still relevant for the 

affected THSA. This AD addresses a 

replacement limit for the NBB disks installed 

on the THSA, not the life limit for the THSA 

itself. 

(h) Inspection for Affected THSAs, Flight 

Cycles, and THSA Replacement 

Before each date and before exceeding the 

corresponding THSA flight-cycle limits 

specified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) 

of this AD, do the actions specified in 

paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, and 

before exceeding the flight cycle limit 

corresponding to each date as specified in 

paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD, 

do the actions specified in paragraph (i) of 

this AD. 

(1) Do an inspection of the THSA to 

determine the part number and serial 

number. 

(2) Do an inspection of the airplane 

maintenance records to determine the flight 

cycles accumulated on each affected THSA 

since first installation on an airplane, or 

since last NBB replacement, whichever is 

later. If no maintenance records conclusively 

identifying the last NBB disk replacement are 

available, the flight cycles accumulated since 

first installation of the THSA on an airplane 

apply. 

(i) THSA Replacement 

By each date specified in paragraphs (j)(1), 

(j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD, for those affected 

THSAs having reached or exceeded the 

corresponding number of flight cycles 

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11692 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Proposed Rules 

specified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) 

of this AD, replace the THSA with a 

serviceable unit, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–27–6070, dated 

February 17, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin 

A310–27–2106, dated February 17, 2015, as 

applicable. 

(j) Compliance Dates and THSA Flight Cycle 

Limits 

Paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD 

specify compliance dates and THSA flight 

cycle limits for accomplishing the actions 

required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD. 

(1) As of 30 days after the effective date of 

this AD: The affected THSA flight-cycle limit 

is 30,000 flight cycles since first installation 

of the THSA on an airplane, or since last 

NBB replacement, whichever is later. 

(2) As of February 1, 2017: The affected 

THSA flight-cycle limit is 20,000 flight cycles 

since first installation of the THSA on an 

airplane, or since last NBB replacement, 

whichever is later. 

(3) As of February 1, 2018: The affected 

THSA flight-cycle limit is 14,600 flight cycles 

since first installation of the THSA on an 

airplane, or since last NBB replacement, 

whichever is later. 

(k) Serviceable THSA Definition 

For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable 

THSA is a unit identified in paragraph (k)(1) 

or (k)(2) of this AD. 

(1) A THSA identified in paragraph (g) of 

this AD that, as of each date specified in 

paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD, 

has not exceeded the flight cycle limits 

specified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) 

of this AD since first installation of the THSA 

on an airplane, or since the last NBB disk 

replacement, whichever is later. 

(2) A THSA with a different part number 

(e.g., a THSA that is not identified in 

paragraph (g) of this AD) that is not affected 

by the requirements of this AD. 

(l) THSA Replacements 

As of each date and before exceeding the 

flight cycle limit corresponding to each date 

specified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) 

of this AD: Replace each affected THSA with 

a serviceable unit, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–27–6070, dated 

February 17, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin 

A310–27–2106, dated February 17, 2015. 

(m) Parts Installation Limitation 

Before each date specified in paragraphs 

(j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD, an operator 

may install an affected THSA on an airplane, 

provided that the unit has not exceeded the 

corresponding number of flight cycles 

specified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) 

of this AD, since first installation on an 

airplane, or since last NBB replacement, 

whichever occurred later. 

(n) 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 Dan 

Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 

Renton, WA 98057–3356; telephone: 425– 

227–2125; fax: 425–227–1149. Information 

may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOCREQUESTS@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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 

116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or 

the European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA); or Airbus’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any 

service information contains procedures or 

tests that are identified as RC, those 

procedures and tests must be done to comply 

with this AD; any procedures or tests that are 

not identified as RC are recommended. Those 

procedures and tests that are not identified 

as RC may be deviated from using accepted 

methods in accordance with the operator’s 

maintenance or inspection program without 

obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided 

the procedures and tests identified as RC can 

be done and the airplane can be put back in 

an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or 

changes to procedures or tests identified as 

RC require approval of an AMOC. 

(o) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 

2015–0081, dated May 7, 2015, for related 

information. This MCAI may be found in the 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2016–3993. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness 

Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone: +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax: +33 5 61 

93 44 51; email: account.airworth-eas@

airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

You may view this 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 February 

24, 2016. 

Dionne Palermo, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2016–04562 Filed 3–4–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2015–3085; Airspace 

Docket No. 15–ASW–2] 

Proposed Amendment of Class E 

Airspace; Little Rock, AR 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

amend Class E airspace at Little Rock 

Air Force Base (AFB), Little Rock, AR. 

Airspace reconfiguration is necessary 

due to closure of the air traffic control 

tower and associated approaches at 

Dennis F. Cantrell Field, Conway, AR. 

Dennis F. Cantrell Field would be 

removed from the airspace designation 

and legal description as it is no longer 

needed to describe the boundaries of 

Little Rock AFB. The FAA is proposing 

this action for continued safety within 

the National Airspace System (NAS). 

Additionally, the geographic 

coordinates for Little Rock AFB and 

Saline County Airport, Benton, AR, 

would be adjusted. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before April 21, 2016. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 

366–9826. You must identify FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2015–3085; Airspace 

Docket No. 15–ASW–2, at the beginning 

of your comments. You may also submit 

comments through the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov. You may 

review the public docket containing the 

proposal, any comments received, and 

any final disposition in person in the 

Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 

5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The Docket 

Office (telephone 1–800–647–5527), is 

on the ground floor of the building at 

the above address. 

FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, and 

subsequent amendments can be viewed 

online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/ 

publications/. For further information, 

you can contact the Airspace Policy 

Group, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 

telephone: 202–267–8783. The Order is 

also available for inspection at the 

National Archives and Records 

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