Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules 15063 

§ 915.11 District. 

(a) District 1 shall include MiamiDade County. 

(b) District 2 shall include all of the 

production area except Miami-Dade 

County. 

3. In § 915.22, paragraph (b)(1) is 

revised to read as follows: 

§ 915.22 Nomination. 

(a) * * * 

(b) Successor members. (1) The 

Committee shall hold or cause to be 

held a meeting or meetings of growers 

and handlers in each district to 

designate nominees for successor 

members and alternate members of the 

Committee; or the Committee may 

conduct nominations in Districts 1 and 

2 by mail in a manner recommended by 

the Committee and approved by the 

Secretary. Such nominations shall be 

submitted to the Secretary by the 

Committee not later than March 1 of 

each year. The Committee shall 

prescribe procedural rules, not 

inconsistent with the provisions of this 

section, for the conduct of nomination. 

* * * * * 

4. In § 915.30, paragraph (c) is revised 

to read as follows: 

§ 915.30 Procedure. 

(a) * * * 

(b) * * * 

(c) For any recommendation of the 

Committee for an assessment rate 

change, a quorum of seven Committee 

members and a two-thirds majority vote 

of approval of those in attendance is 

required. 

5. In § 915.41, paragraph (b) is revised 

to read as follows: 

§ 915.41 Assessments. 

(a) * * * 

(b) The Secretary shall fix the rate of 

assessment per 55-pounds of fruit or 

equivalent in any container or in bulk, 

to be paid by each such handler. At any 

time during or after a fiscal year, the 

Secretary may increase the rate of 

assessment, in order to secure sufficient 

funds to cover any later finding by the 

Secretary relative to the expense which 

may be incurred. Such increase shall be 

applied to all fruit handled during the 

applicable fiscal year. In order to 

provide funds for the administration of 

the provisions of this part, the 

Committee may accept the payment of 

assessments in advance, or borrow 

money on an emergency short-term 

basis. The authority of the Committee to 

borrow money is subject to approval of 

the Secretary and may be used only to 

meet financial obligations as the 

obligations occur or to allow the 

Committee to adjust its reserve funds to 

meet such obligations. 

6. Add a new § 915.43 to read as 

follows: 

§ 915.43 Contributions. 

The Committee may accept voluntary 

contributions. Such contributions shall 

be free from any encumbrances by the 

donor and the Committee shall retain 

complete control of their use. 

7. Revise § 915.45 to read as follows: 

§ 915.45 Production research, marketing 

research and development. 

The committee may, with the 

approval of the Secretary, establish or 

provide for the establishment of 

production research, marketing research 

and development projects designed to 

assist, improve or promote the 

marketing, distribution, and 

consumption or efficient production of 

avocados. Such products may provide 

for any form of marketing promotion, 

including paid advertising. The 

expenses of such projects shall be paid 

from funds collected pursuant to the 

applicable provisions of § 915.41, or 

from such other funds as approved by 

the USDA. 

Dated: March 23, 2007. 

Lloyd C. Day, 

Administrator, Agricultural Marketing 

Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–5792 Filed 3–29–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket Number FAA–2007–27739; 

Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–250–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330 Airplanes; and Model A340–200 

and –300 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: 

The aim of * * * [Special Federal Aviation 

Regulation (SFAR) 88] is to require all 

holders of type certificates * * * to carry out 

a definition review against explosion 

hazards. 

The unsafe condition is the potential of 

ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 

which, in combination with flammable 

fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank 

explosions and consequent loss of the 

airplane. The proposed AD would 

require actions that are intended to 

address the unsafe condition described 

in the MCAI. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 30, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to 

http://dms.dot.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments 

electronically. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 

Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 

Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–

0001. 

• 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. 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 (telephone (800) 647–

5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

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: 

Streamlined Issuance of AD 

The FAA is implementing a new 

process for streamlining the issuance of 

ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined 

process will allow us to adopt MCAI 

safety requirements in a more efficient 

manner and will reduce safety risks to 

the public. This process continues to 

follow all FAA AD issuance processes to 

meet legal, economic, Administrative 

Procedure Act, and Federal Register 


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15064 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules 

requirements. We also continue to meet 

our technical decision-making 

responsibilities to identify and correct 

unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated 

products. 

This proposed AD references the 

MCAI and related service information 

that we considered in forming the 

engineering basis to correct the unsafe 

condition. The proposed AD contains 

text copied from the MCAI and for this 

reason might not follow our plain 

language principles. 

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 

Number FAA–2007–27739; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–250–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:// 

dms.dot.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 

Community, has issued Airworthiness 

Directive 2006–0322, dated October 18, 

2006 (referred to after this as ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI 

states: 

[T]he FAA published SFAR 88 (Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88). 

By mail referenced 04/00/02/07/01–L296 

of March 4th, 2002 and 04/00/02/07/03–L024 

of February 3rd, 2003 the JAA (Joint Aviation 

Authorities) recommended to the National 

Aviation Authorities (NAA) the application 

of a similar regulation. 

The aim of this regulation is to require all 

holders of type certificates for passenger 

transport aircraft certified after January 1st, 

1958 with a capacity of 30 passengers or 

more, or a payload of 3402 kg or more, to 

carry out a definition review against 

explosion hazards. 

Consequently, the following measures are 

rendered mandatory: 

• [inspection and] replacement [if 

necessary] of the white P-clips by blue Pclips which are more fuel resistant [to] 

remove the risks of fuel quantity indicator 

(FQI) and fuel level sensor system (FLSS) 

harnesses chafing against the metallic part of 

the P-clip, 

• Modification of electrical bonding of 

equipment installed in fuel tanks in order to 

re-establish the conformity with the design 

definition by introducing additional bonding 

leads, electrical bonding points and electrical 

bonding of a support bracket for a diffuser 

assembly installed between Rib 1 and Rib 2 

on the stringers of the Number 1 bottom skin 

panel, 

• Modification of bonding points, 

installation of additional bonding leads and 

other modifications of the Additional Center 

Tank (ACT), 

• Modification to increase the distance 

between metallic parts on the THS 

(trimmable horizontal stabilizer) Trim Tank, 

• Installation of a bonding lead between 

the bonding tags on the Jettison valve 

actuator and drive assembly. 

You may obtain further information by 

examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

The FAA has examined the 

underlying safety issues involved in fuel 

tank explosions on several large 

transport airplanes, including the 

adequacy of existing regulations, the 

service history of airplanes subject to 

those regulations, and existing 

maintenance practices for fuel tank 

systems. As a result of those findings, 

we issued a regulation titled ‘‘Transport 

Airplane Fuel Tank System Design 

Review, Flammability Reduction and 

Maintenance and Inspection 

Requirements’’ (66 FR 23086, May 7, 

2001). In addition to new airworthiness 

standards for transport airplanes and 

new maintenance requirements, this 

rule included Special Federal Aviation 

Regulation Number 88 (‘‘SFAR 88,’’

Amendment 21–78, and subsequent 

Amendments 21–82 and 21–83). 

Among other actions, SFAR 88 

requires certain type design (i.e., type 

certificate (TC) and supplemental type 

certificate (STC)) holders to substantiate 

that their fuel tank systems can prevent 

ignition sources in the fuel tanks. This 

requirement applies to type design 

holders for large turbine-powered 

transport airplanes and for subsequent 

modifications to those airplanes. It 

requires them to perform design reviews 

and to develop design changes and 

maintenance procedures if their designs 

do not meet the new fuel tank safety 

standards. As explained in the preamble 

to the rule, we intended to adopt 

airworthiness directives to mandate any 

changes found necessary to address 

unsafe conditions identified as a result 

of these reviews. 

In evaluating these design reviews, we 

have established four criteria intended 

to define the unsafe conditions 

associated with fuel tank systems that 

require corrective actions. The 

percentage of operating time during 

which fuel tanks are exposed to 

flammable conditions is one of these 

criteria. The other three criteria address 

the failure types under evaluation: 

Single failures, single failures in 

combination with a latent condition(s), 

and in-service failure experience. For all 

four criteria, the evaluations included 

consideration of previous actions taken 

that may mitigate the need for further 

action. 

The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) 

has issued a regulation that is similar to 

SFAR 88. (The JAA is an associated 

body of the European Civil Aviation 

Conference (ECAC) representing the 

civil aviation regulatory authorities of a 

number of European States who have 

agreed to co-operate in developing and 

implementing common safety regulatory 

standards and procedures.) Under this 

regulation, the JAA stated that all 

members of the ECAC that hold type 

certificates for transport category 

airplanes are required to conduct a 

design review against explosion risks. 

We have determined that the actions 

identified in this AD are necessary to 

reduce the potential of ignition sources 

inside fuel tanks, which, in combination 

with flammable fuel vapors, could result 

in fuel tank explosions and consequent 

loss of the airplane. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued the following 

service bulletins: 

• A330–28–3082, including 

Appendix 01, Revision 02, dated August 

11, 2006. 

• A330–28–3092, including 

Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated 

December 14, 2005. 

• A330–28–3101, Revision 01, dated 

October 11, 2006. 

• A330–55–3016, Revision 1, dated 

February 12, 1997. 

• A340–28–4073, Revision 01, 

October 9, 1998. 

• A340–28–4078, dated March 17, 

2000. 

• A340–28–4097, including 

Appendix 01, Revision 02, dated August 

16, 2006. 

• A340–28–4107, including 

Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated 

December 14, 2005. 

• A340–28–4118, Revision 01, dated 

October 11, 2006. 

• A340–55–4017, Revision 1, dated 

February 12, 1997. 

The actions described in this service 

information are intended to correct the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 


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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules 15065 

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 the same 

type design. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

MCAI or Service Information 

We have reviewed the MCAI and 

related service information and, in 

general, agree with their substance. But 

we might have found it necessary to use 

different words from those in the MCAI 

to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. 

operators and is enforceable. In making 

these changes, we do not intend to differ 

substantively from the information 

provided in the MCAI and related 

service information. 

We might also have proposed 

different actions in this AD from those 

in the MCAI in order to follow FAA 

policies. Any such differences are 

highlighted in a NOTE within the 

proposed AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we 

estimate that this proposed AD would 

affect about 28 products of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 600 work-hours per product to 

comply with this proposed AD. The 

average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 

Required parts would cost about $2,718 

per product. Where the service 

information lists required parts costs 

that are covered under warranty, we 

have assumed that there will be no 

charge for these costs. As we do not 

control warranty coverage for affected 

parties, some parties may incur costs 

higher than estimated here. Based on 

these figures, we estimate the cost of the 

proposed AD on U.S. operators to be 

$1,420,104, or $50,718 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); 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. 

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 AD: 

Airbus: Docket Number FAA–2007–27739; 

Directorate Identifier 2006-NM–250–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by April 30, 

2007. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model 

A330, A340–200, and A340–300 airplanes, 

all certified models, all serial numbers, 

certificated in any category. 

Subject 

(d) Fuel. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) states: 

[T]he FAA published SFAR 88 (Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88). 

By mail referenced 04/00/02/07/01–L296 

of March 4th, 2002 and 04/00/02/07/03–L024 

of February 3rd, 2003 the JAA (Joint Aviation 

Authorities) recommended to the National 

Aviation Authorities (NAA) the application 

of a similar regulation. 

The aim of this regulation is to require all 

holders of type certificates for passenger 

transport aircraft certified after January 1st, 

1958 with a capacity of 30 passengers or 

more, or a payload of 3402 kg or more, to 

carry out a definition review against 

explosion hazards. 

Consequently, the following measures are 

rendered mandatory: 

• [Inspection and ] replacement [if 

necessary] of the white P-clips by blue Pclips which are more fuel resistant [to] 

remove the risks of fuel quantity indicator 

(FQI) and fuel level sensor system (FLSS) 

harnesses chafing against the metallic part of 

the P-clip, 

• Modification of electrical bonding of 

equipment installed in fuel tanks in order to 

re-establish the conformity with the design 

definition by introducing additional bonding 

leads, electrical bonding points and electrical 

bonding of a support bracket for a diffuser 

assembly installed between Rib 1 and Rib 2 

on the stringers of the Number 1 bottom skin 

panel, 

• Modification of bonding points, 

installation of additional bonding leads and 

other modifications of the Additional Center 

Tank (ACT), 

• Modification to increase the distance 

between metallic parts on the THS 

(trimmable horizontal stabilizer) Trim Tank, 

• Installation of a bonding lead between 

the bonding tags on the Jettison valve 

actuator and drive assembly. 

Actions and Compliance 

(f) Within 38 months after the effective 

date of this AD, unless already done, do the 

actions in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(4), 

and (f)(5). 

(1) Action number 1, applicable to Model 

A330, A340–200, and A340–330 aircraft, all 

certified models, all serial numbers, except 

for airplanes on which Airbus Modification 

47634 has been embodied in production: 

Perform a detailed visual inspection of the Pclips in the wings and center fuel tanks, and 

apply the applicable corrective actions, in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A330–28–3092, Revision 01, 

dated December 14, 2005; or Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–28–4107, Revision 01, dated 

December 14, 2005. 

(2) Action number 2, applicable to Model 

A330, A340–200, and A340–300 airplanes, 

all certified models, all serial numbers, 

except for airplanes on which Airbus 

Modifications 49135 and 49630 and 51825 

and 55118 have been embodied in 


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15066 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules 

production or modified in-service in 

accordance with both Airbus Service Bulletin 

A330–28–3082, including Appendix 01, and 

Airbus Service Bulletin A330–28–3101, or 

both Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28–4097 

and Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28–4118: 

Modify the electrical bonding of the 

equipment installed in fuel tanks, in 

accordance with both Airbus Service Bulletin 

A330–28–3082, Revision 02, dated August 

11, 2006, and Airbus Service Bulletin A330–

28–3101, Revision 01, dated October 11, 

2006; or both Airbus Service Bulletin A340–

28–4097, including Appendix 01, Revision 

02, dated August 16, 2006, and Airbus 

Service Bulletin A340–28–4118, Revision 01, 

dated October 11, 2006; as applicable. 

(3) Action number 3, applicable to Model 

A340–200 and A340–300 airplanes, all 

certified models, all serial numbers, which 

have Airbus modification 42612/Airbus 

Service Bulletin A340–28–4047 or Airbus 

modification 44002/Airbus Service Bulletin 

A340–28–4066 or Airbus modification 

44005/Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28–

4067 embodied in production/in-service 

(installation of an ACT (Additional Center 

Tank)), except airplanes modified by Airbus 

Service Bulletin A340–28–4078 in-service: 

Modify the electrical bonding in the ACT in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A340–28–4078, dated March 

17, 2000. 

(4) Action number 4, applicable to Model 

A330–300 airplanes, –301, –321, –322, –341, 

–342 models, all serial numbers except for 

airplanes on which Airbus Modification 

44252 has been embodied in production or 

modified in-service in accordance with 

Airbus Service Bulletin A330–55–3016; and 

Model A340–200 and Model A340–300 

airplanes, all certified models, all serial 

numbers, except for airplanes on which 

Airbus Modification 44252 has been 

embodied in production or modified inservice in accordance with Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–55–4017: Increase the 

distance between metallic parts on the THS 

(trimmable horizontal stabilizer) trim tank in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A330–55–3016, Revision 1, 

dated February 12, 1997; or Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–55–4017, Revision 1, dated 

February 12, 1997; as applicable. 

(5) Action number 5, applicable to Model 

A340–200 and A340–300 airplanes, all 

certified models, all serial numbers, except 

for airplanes which have Airbus modification 

46142 embodied in production or modified 

in-service in accordance with Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–28–4073, Revision 01, dated 

October 9, 1998: Install a bonding lead 

between the bonding tags on the Jettison 

valve actuator and drive assembly in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A340–28–4073, Revision 01, 

dated October 9, 1998. 

(6) Actions done before the effective date 

of this AD in accordance with the service 

bulletins listed in Table 1 of this AD are 

acceptable for compliance with the 

corresponding requirements of paragraphs 

(f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(5) of this AD, 

as applicable. 

TABLE 1.—CREDIT SERVICE BULLETINS

Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date 

A330–28–3082 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... June 14, 2004. 

A330–28–3082 ........................................................................ 01 ........................................................................................... March 2, 2005. 

A330–28–3101 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... June 5, 2006. 

A330–55–3016 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... August 20, 1996. 

A340–28–4073 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... May 14, 1998. 

A340–28–4097 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... June 14, 2004. 

A340–28–4097 ........................................................................ 01 ........................................................................................... March 3, 2005. 

A340–28–4118 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... June 5, 2006. 

A340–55–4017 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... August 20, 1996. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/ 

or service information as follows: No 

differences. 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(g) The following provisions also apply to 

this AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, ANM–116, 

International Branch, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Send information to ATTN: Tim Backman, 

Aerospace Engineer; 1601 Lind Ave. SW., 

Renton, Washington 98057–3356, telephone 

(425) 227–2797; fax (425) 227–1149. To 

request a different method of compliance or 

a different compliance time for this AD, 

follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Before using any approved AMOC on any 

airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in 

the FAA Flight Standards District Office 

(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. 

(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 FAAapproved 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. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any 

reporting requirement in this AD, under the 

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

has approved the information collection 

requirements and has assigned OMB Control 

Number 2120–0056. 

Related Information 

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 

Directive 2006–0322, dated October 18, 2006, 

and the service bulletins in Table 2 of this 

AD, for related information. 

TABLE 2.—RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS

Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date 

A330–28–3082, including Appendix 01 .................................. 02 ........................................................................................... August 11, 2006. 

A330–28–3092 ........................................................................ 01 ........................................................................................... December 14, 

2005. 

A330–28–3101 ........................................................................ 01 ........................................................................................... October 11, 2006. 

A330–55–3016 ........................................................................ 1 ............................................................................................. February 12, 1997. 

A340–28–4073 ........................................................................ 01 ........................................................................................... October 9, 1998. 

A340–28–4078 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................... March 17, 2000. 

A340–28–4097, including Appendix 01 .................................. 02 ........................................................................................... August 16, 2006. 

A340–28–4107 ........................................................................ 01 ........................................................................................... December 14, 

2005. 

A340–28–4118 ........................................................................ 01 ........................................................................................... October 11, 2006. 

A340–55–4017 ........................................................................ 1 ............................................................................................. February 12, 1997. 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 61 / Friday, March 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules 15067 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 

23, 2007. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–5908 Filed 3–29–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–27741; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–261–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330–201, –202, –203, –223, –243, 

–301, –321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and 

–343 Airplanes; and Model A340–200 

and –300 Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

issued by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as keel beam rupture, which 

affects the structural integrity of the 

area. The proposed AD would require 

actions that are intended to address the 

unsafe condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 30, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• DOT Docket Web Site: Go to 

http://dms.dot.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments 

electronically. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 

Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 

Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–

0001. 

• 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. 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 (telephone (800) 647–

5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

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: 

Streamlined Issuance of AD 

The FAA is implementing a new 

process for streamlining the issuance of 

ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined 

process will allow us to adopt MCAI 

safety requirements in a more efficient 

manner and will reduce safety risks to 

the public. This process continues to 

follow all FAA AD issuance processes to 

meet legal, economic, Administrative 

Procedure Act, and Federal Register 

requirements. We also continue to meet 

our technical decision-making 

responsibilities to identify and correct 

unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated 

products. 

This proposed AD references the 

MCAI and related service information 

that we considered in forming the 

engineering basis to correct the unsafe 

condition. The proposed AD contains 

text copied from the MCAI and for this 

reason might not follow our plain 

language principles. 

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–2007–27741; Directorate Identifier 

2006–NM–261–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:// 

dms.dot.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 

Community, has issued EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2006–0315, 

dated October 13, 2006 (referred to after 

this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe 

condition for the specified products. 

The MCAI states that during the A330 

and A340 aircraft fatigue test, cracks 

appeared on the right and left sides 

between the crossing area of the keel 

beam fitting and the front spar on the 

center wing box (CWB). This situation if 

not corrected can lead in the worst case 

to keel beam rupture, which affects the 

structural integrity of the area. In order 

to maintain the structural integrity of 

the aircraft, the MCAI requires a 

repetitive special detailed inspection on 

the horizontal flange of the keel beam in 

the area of the first fastener hole aft of 

FR (frame) 40, follow-up actions (further 

inspections, installation of new 

fasteners, and sealing the fasteners), and 

repair if necessary. You may obtain 

further information by examining the 

MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin 

A330–57–3081, including Appendix 01, 

Revision 02, dated January 24, 2006; 

and Service Bulletin A340–57–4089, 

including Appendix 01, Revision 02, 

dated January 24, 2006. The actions 

described in this service information are 

intended to correct the unsafe condition 

identified in the MCAI. The compliance 

times for doing the actions described in 

the service bulletins are as follows: 

• Service Bulletin A330–57–3081: 

The mandatory thresholds range from 

the earlier of 19,100 flight cycles or 

57,300 flight hours, to the earlier of 

24,200 flight cycles or 72,800 flight 

hours; the repetitive intervals range 

from the earlier of 9,800 flight cycles or 

29,400 flight hours, to the earlier of 

13,500 flight cycles or 40,500 flight 

hours. 

• Service Bulletin A340–57–4089: 

The mandatory thresholds range from 

the earlier of 19,000 flight cycles or 

95,000 flight hours, to the earlier of 

24,600 flight cycles or 49,200 flight 

hours; the repetitive intervals range 

from the earlier of 9,200 flight cycles or 

46,000 flight hours, to the earlier of 

12,600 flight cycles or 63,000 flight 

hours. 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS