[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20289-20291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7733]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 78 / Tuesday April 24, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 20289]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27982; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-009-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes; 
Model A300-600 Series Airplanes; and Model A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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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:

    * * * accidents which occurred to in-service aircraft caused by 
the violent opening of a passenger door, related to excessive 
residual pressurization in the cabin on ground.
* * * * *
This unsafe condition could result in injury to crew members opening 
the passenger door. 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 May 24, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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: 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:

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-
27982; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-009-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 2007-0005, dated January 8, 2007 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    The modification rendered mandatory by this Airworthiness 
Directive (AD) falls within the scope of a set of corrective 
measures undertaken by AIRBUS subsequent to accidents which occurred 
to in-service aircraft caused by the violent opening of a passenger 
door, related to excessive residual pressurization in the cabin on 
ground.
    In order to prevent the flight crews operating in manual mode 
when discrete spoilers signals are true and ensures OFV (outflow 
valve) or depress valve are driven open after landing, this 
modification consists of introducing an automatic opening logic 
either for the forward and aft OFV or for the single depress valve, 
when the aircraft is on ground, immediately after landing.

The MCAI requires the modification described previously. This unsafe 
condition could result in injury to crew members opening the passenger 
door. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the 
AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A300-21-0132, dated July 28, 
2006; A300-21-6049, Revision 01, dated September 15, 2006; and A310-21-
2062, dated July 20, 2006. The actions described in the service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

[[Page 20290]]

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, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority 
and determined the 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 
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These 
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the 
actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 191 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take up to 34 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost up to $5,470 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 up to $1,564,290, or $8,190 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-27982; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
009-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 24, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplanes, certificated in 
any category:
    (1) Model A300 series airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 
0202, 0205, 0225, 0299, and 0302, in forward facing crew cockpit 
configuration, except airplanes which have received in service 
application of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-21-0132.
    (2) Model A310 series airplanes, all certified models, all 
serial numbers, except airplanes which have received in service 
application of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-21-2062.
    (3) Model A300-600 series airplanes, all certified models, all 
serial numbers, on which Airbus Modification 03881 is embodied, 
except airplanes which have received either incorporation of Airbus 
Modification 12942 during production, or application of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-21-6049 in service.

Subject

    (d) Doors.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    The modification rendered mandatory by this Airworthiness 
Directive (AD) falls within the scope of a set of corrective 
measures undertaken by AIRBUS subsequent to accidents which occurred 
to in-service aircraft caused by the violent opening of a passenger 
door, related to excessive residual pressurization in the cabin on 
ground.
    In order to prevent the flight crews operating in manual mode 
when discrete spoilers signals are true and ensures OFV (outflow 
valve) or depress valve are driven open after landing, this 
modification consists of introducing an automatic opening logic 
either for the forward and aft OFV or for the single depress valve, 
when the aircraft is on ground, immediately after landing.

This unsafe condition could result in injury to crew members opening 
the passenger door.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Install an automatic opening logic either for the forward and aft 
OFV (outflow valve) or for the single depress valve, as applicable, 
by introducing the use of discrete spoiler signals, driving one 
(Model A300 airplanes) or two (Model A310 airplanes and Model A300-
600 series airplanes) time delay relays, in accordance with the 
instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-21-0132, dated July 28, 
2006; A310-21-2062, dated July 20, 2006; or A300-21-6049, Revision 
01, dated September 15, 2006; as applicable.
    (2) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-21-6049, dated August 
31,

[[Page 20291]]

2005, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements of this AD.

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, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, ATTN: Tom Stafford, Aerospace 
Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-3356, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any AMOC approved in 
accordance with Sec.  39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA 
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.
    (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.
    (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 Airworthiness 
Directive 2007-0005, dated January 8, 2007; and Airbus Service 
Bulletins A300-21-0132, dated July 28, 2006; A300-21-6049, Revision 
01, dated September 15, 2006; and A310-21-2062, dated July 20, 2006; 
for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 16, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-7733 Filed 4-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P