14398 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2006–26250; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–104–AD; Amendment 

39–15001; AD 2007–07–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R 

Series Airplanes, and Model C4–605R 

Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called 

A300–600 Series Airplanes) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A300–600 airplanes. This 

AD requires an inspection to determine 

if certain spoiler actuators having 

certain part numbers are installed, and 

eventual replacement of all affected 

actuators. This AD results from failure 

of a distribution block, which was 

detected during fatigue qualification 

tests of certain spoiler actuators. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 

distribution block, which could result in 

leakage of the hydraulic fluid that 

supplies those actuators. This failure 

could cause failure of one of the three 

spoiler actuators and the associated 

hydraulic circuits, which could result in 

loss of those hydraulic circuits and 

consequent reduced controllability of 

the airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 

2, 2007. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of May 2, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, 

Washington, DC. 

Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, 

for service information identified in this 

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: 

Examining the Docket 

You may examine the airworthiness 

directive (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 street address stated in the 

ADDRESSES section. 

Discussion 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to certain Airbus Model A300–

600 airplanes. That NPRM was 

published in the Federal Register on 

November 6, 2006 (71 FR 64904). That 

NPRM proposed to require an 

inspection to determine if certain 

spoiler actuators having certain part 

numbers are installed, and eventual 

replacement of all affected actuators. 

Comments 

We provided the public the 

opportunity to participate in the 

development of this AD. We have 

considered the comments received. 

Request To Add Alternate Inspection of 

Distribution Blocks 

The Air Transport Association (ATA), 

on behalf of one of its members, FedEx 

Express, asks that the inspection 

procedure recommended by FedEx 

Express of the distribution blocks on the 

affected spoiler actuators be included in 

any future rulemaking. FedEx Express 

states that it accomplished the proposed 

inspection on its airplanes, and during 

the inspection it found that most spoiler 

actuators of the specified age no longer 

had data plates attached; therefore, no 

part number or serial number was 

available. FedEx Express performed a 

detailed inspection of the distribution 

block on the affected spoiler actuator at 

the inboard and outboard positions to 

determine the part number. If the part 

number was installed, FedEx Express 

replaced the spoiler actuator with a 

serviceable spoiler actuator. FedEx 

Express recommends that this 

inspection procedure be used in any 

future rulemaking requiring the same 

actions. FedEx Express states that the 

procedure was coordinated with Airbus 

and the parts manufacturer before 

implementation. 

We agree with the commenter’s 

request to add an alternative inspection 

method of the distribution blocks on the 

spoiler actuators to determine the part 

number. Therefore, we have added an 

inspection to determine the part number 

of the distribution block of the spoiler 

actuator if the spoiler actuator part 

number cannot be found on the spoiler 

actuator. Paragraph (f) of this AD has 

been changed accordingly. In addition, 

if the same actions are required by 

future rulemaking we may consider 

using this inspection procedure on a 

case-by-case basis. 

Request To State FAA Intent To 

Incorporate by Reference and To 

Publish Service Information in the 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

The Modification and Replacement 

Parts Association (MARPA) asks that the 

NPRM, and subsequent NPRMs, 

indicate which documents will be 

incorporated by reference, and adds that 

those documents should be published in 

the DMS concurrently with the NPRM. 

MARPA assumes that when the final 

rule is issued the FAA intends to 

incorporate by reference the service 

bulletin referenced in the NPRM. 

MARPA states that the NPRM is 

incomplete if that’s the case, and 

MARPA is unable to address the 

substantive elements of the NPRM 

without having access to the documents 

that are incorporated by reference. 

We do not agree with the commenter’s 

requests. When we refer to certain 

service information in a proposed AD, 

the public can assume we intend to 

incorporate by reference that service 

information, as required by the Office of 

the Federal Register. In regard to the 

request to post service bulletins on the 

Department of Transportation’s DMS, 

we are currently in the process of 

reviewing issues surrounding the 

posting of service bulletins on the DMS 

as part of an AD docket. Once we have 

thoroughly examined all aspects of this 

issue and have made a final 

determination, we will consider 

whether our current practice needs to be 

revised. No change to the AD is 

necessary in this regard. 

Request To Change Costs of Compliance 

Section 

FedEx Express asks that the cost 

estimate specified in the Costs of 

Compliance section be changed. FedEx 

Express states that there are two 

airplanes of U.S. registry affected by the 

NPRM; however, the NPRM specifies 

only one. The ATA, on behalf of FedEx 

Express, reiterates the above comment. 

FedEx Express adds that both of its 

Airbus Model A300–600 airplanes 

manufacturer serial numbers 361 and 

365, are listed in the service bulletin 

effectivity and are operated by FedEx 

Express. 

We agree with the commenter for the 

reason provided, and have changed the 


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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 14399 

Costs of Compliance section in this AD 

accordingly. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the changes described previously. 

These changes will not increase the 

economic burden on any operator or 

increase the scope of the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

This AD affects about 2 airplanes of 

U.S. registry. 

The inspection takes about 1 hour per 

airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 

per hour. Based on these figures, the 

estimated cost of the inspection for U.S. 

operators is $160, or $80 per airplane. 

The replacements, if accomplished, 

take about 5 work hours per airplane, at 

an average labor rate of $80 per work 

hour. Required parts cost is minimal. 

Based on these figures, the estimated 

cost of the replacements for U.S. 

operators is $800, or $400 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 AD will 

not have federalism implications under 

Executive Order 13132. This AD will 

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 this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866; 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

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 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, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

■ Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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 Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 

by adding the following new 

airworthiness directive (AD): 

2007–07–01 Airbus: Amendment 39–15001. 

Docket No. FAA–2006–26250; 

Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–104–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This AD becomes effective May 2, 2007. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 

B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R series 

airplanes, and Model C4–605R Variant F 

airplanes (collectively called A300–600 

series airplanes); certificated in any category; 

as identified in Airbus Service Bulletin 

A300–27–6057, dated May 17, 2005. 

Unsafe Condition 

(d) This AD results from failure of a 

distribution block, which was detected 

during fatigue qualification tests of certain 

spoiler actuators. We are issuing this AD to 

prevent failure of the distribution block, 

which could result in leakage of the 

hydraulic fluid that supplies those actuators. 

This failure could cause failure of one of the 

three spoiler actuators and the associated 

hydraulic circuits, which could result in loss 

of those hydraulic circuits and consequent 

reduced controllability of the airplane. 

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. 

Inspection for Actuator Part Numbers and 

Corrective Action 

(f) Within 700 flight hours after the 

effective date of this AD: Inspect to 

determine if a spoiler actuator with part 

number P376A0002–04 or P376A0002–08 is 

installed, by doing all the applicable actions 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300–

27–6057, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 

17, 2005. If the part number cannot be found 

on the spoiler actuator: Operators may 

inspect the distribution block on the spoiler 

actuator to determine if part number 

P376A0089–00 is installed (distribution 

blocks having this part number are only on 

actuators with the affected part numbers). 

(1) If no actuator with any part number 

identified in paragraph (f) of this AD is 

installed, no further action is required by this 

paragraph. 

(2) If any actuator with any part number 

identified in paragraph (f) of this AD is 

installed and the three associated hydraulic 

circuits are affected (at least one actuator 

supplied by the yellow circuit and at least 

one actuator supplied by the blue circuit and 

at least one actuator supplied by the green 

circuit): Within 100 flight hours after 

accomplishing the inspection required by 

paragraph (f) of this AD, replace all affected 

actuators on one of the hydraulic circuits 

with new actuators in accordance with the 

service bulletin. Within 12 months after 

accomplishing that replacement, replace all 

the remaining affected actuators with new 

actuators in accordance with the service 

bulletin. 

(3) If any actuator with any part number 

identified in paragraph (f) of this AD is 

installed and one or two of the associated 

hydraulic circuits are affected: Within 12 

months after accomplishing the inspection 

required by paragraph (f) of this AD, replace 

all affected actuators with new actuators in 

accordance with the service bulletin. 

Parts Installation 

(g) After the effective date of this AD, no 

spoiler actuator with part number 

P376A0002–04 or P376A0002–08 may be 

installed on any airplane. 

No Reporting Required 

(h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin 

A300–27–6057, excluding Appendix 01, 

dated May 17, 2005, specifies to submit an 

inspection report to the manufacturer, this 

AD does not include that requirement. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, 

ANM–116, FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 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 § 39.19 on any airplane to 

which the AMOC applies, notify the 

appropriate principal inspector in the FAA 

Flight Standards Certificate Holding District 

Office. 


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14400 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 

Related Information 

(j) French airworthiness directive F–2005–

125, dated July 20, 2005, also addresses the 

subject of this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin 

A300–27–6057, excluding Appendix 01, 

dated May 17, 2005, to perform the actions 

that are required by this AD, unless the AD 

specifies otherwise. The Director of the 

Federal Register approved the incorporation 

by reference of this document in accordance 

with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a 

copy of this service information. You may 

review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington; or at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030, or go 

to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/ 

cfr/ibr-locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 

20, 2007. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–5555 Filed 3–27–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2006–25336; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–070–AD; Amendment 

39–15002; AD 2007–07–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 737–300, –400, –500, –600, –700, 

–800 and –900 Series Airplanes; and 

Model 757–200 and –300 Series 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Boeing Model 737–300, –400, –500, 

–600, –700, –800 and –900 series 

airplanes; and Model 757–200 and –300 

series airplanes. This AD requires 

modifying the activation mechanism in 

the chemical oxygen generator of each 

passenger service unit (PSU). This AD 

results from several reports indicating 

that some chemical oxygen generators 

failed to activate during in-flight 

decompression events. These failures 

were due to fracture of components 

between the passenger oxygen mask and 

the release pin in the oxygen generator. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent 

failure of the activation mechanism in 

the chemical oxygen generator, which 

could result in the unavailability of 

supplemental oxygen and possible 

incapacitation of passengers and cabin 

crew during an in-flight decompression. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 

2, 2007. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in the AD 

as of May 2, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, 

Washington, DC. 

Contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 

Washington 98124–2207, for service 

information identified in this AD. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Susan Letcher, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental 

Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 917–6474; fax (425) 917–6590. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Examining the Docket 

You may examine the airworthiness 

directive (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 street address stated in the 

ADDRESSES section. 

Discussion 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to certain Boeing Model 737–300, 

–400, –500, –600, –700, –800 and –900 

series airplanes; and Model 757–200 

and –300 series airplanes. That NPRM 

was published in the Federal Register 

on July 13, 2006 (71 FR 39593). That 

NPRM proposed to require modifying 

the activation mechanism in the 

chemical oxygen generator of each 

passenger service unit (PSU). 

Comments 

We provided the public the 

opportunity to participate in the 

development of this AD. We have 

considered the comments received. 

Support for the NPRM 

Boeing and AirTran support the 

NPRM. 

Request To Change Compliance Time 

The Air Transport Association (ATA), 

on behalf of its member, Delta Airlines, 

asks that the compliance time for 

accomplishing the modification be 

changed from 60 months to 72 months. 

Delta states that this would better align 

with airplane heavy maintenance visits. 

We do not agree with ATA and Delta. 

The commenters provided no technical 

justification for revising this compliance 

time. Chemical oxygen generators 

failing to activate during in-flight 

decompression events is a significant 

safety issue; therefore, we have 

determined that the proposed 60-month 

compliance time is warranted. This 

determination is based on the 

effectiveness of the modification and the 

fact that failure of the activation 

mechanism of the chemical oxygen 

generator could result in the 

unavailability of supplemental oxygen 

and possible incapacitation of 

passengers and cabin crew during an inflight decompression. In developing an 

appropriate compliance time for this 

AD, we considered those safety issues, 

as well as the manufacturer 

recommendations, the availability of 

necessary repair parts, and the practical 

aspect of accomplishing the required 

modification within an interval of time 

that corresponds to the normal 

maintenance schedules of most affected 

operators. In light of these factors, we 

have determined that the 60-month 

initial compliance time, as proposed, is 

appropriate. We do not find it necessary 

to change the AD in this regard. 

Request To Publish Service 

Information/Incorporate by Reference 

in NPRM 

The Modification and Replacement 

Parts Association (MARPA) states that 

ADs are based on service information 

that originates from the type certificate 

holder or its suppliers. MARPA adds 

that manufacturers’ service documents 

are privately authored instruments, 

generally having copyright protection 

against duplication and distribution. 

MARPA states that when a service 

document is incorporated by reference 

into a public document, such as an AD, 

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51, it loses its private, protected 

status and becomes a public document. 

MARPA notes that if a service document 

is used as a mandatory element of 

compliance, it should not simply be 

referenced, but should be incorporated 

by reference. MARPA believes that 


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