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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 237 (Monday, December 10, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73343-73345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29710]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1224; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-112-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 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 a report of an uncommanded slide back of the co-
pilot seat to the end stop position. This proposed AD would require a 
one-time inspection for a part number, a tensile test of the affected 
seats, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and prevent unwanted movement of a pilot or co-pilot seat in the 
horizontal direction, which could lead to inadvertent input on the 
flight control commands and possibly result in loss of controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 24, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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 Airbus service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Airbus SAS-EAW (Airworthiness Office), 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. For EADS SOGERMA service information identified 
in this AD, contact EADS SOGERMA, Zone Industrielle de l'Arsenal, CS. 
60109, 17303 Rochefort, Cedex France; phone: 33 5 46 82 84 84; fax: 33 
5 46 82 88 13; email: SCOD1@sogerma.eads.net; Internet: http://www.sogerma.eads.net. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
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, Washington 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-2012-1224; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-112-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 aviation 
authority for Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0102, dated June 8, 2012 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    During a steep climb manoeuvre that was flown with a high pitch 
(25[deg]) for training of ground threat avoidance, an Airbus A310 
aeroplane experienced an uncommanded slide back of the co-pilot seat 
to the end stop position.
    Investigation revealed that on the affected seat, the disc key 
inside the clutch was broken. SOGERMA Service Bulletin (SB) No 
2510112-25-813, which addresses the previous end stop switch issue 
and which is covered by EASA AD 2010-0070 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2011-06-09, Amendment 39-16634 (76 FR 15805, March 22, 2011)] had 
been accomplished on this seat, but due to seizure, the key failure 
was not detected at time. This broken disc key caused a jamming 
between the gear and the shaft of the clutch. Despite this failure, 
the torque transmission between the gear and the shaft was 
sufficient for normal operation, but not to keep the seat in locked 
position during climbing, due to the high longitudinal loads 
generated by the high aeroplane incidence.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could cause the 
pilot to lose contact with the controls, leading to an inadvertent 
input on the flight control commands during take-off or climb, 
possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection [part number (P/N) inspection of the seats and 
tensile test] of the affected seats and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s) [replacing the 
seat or modifying the seat by replacing actuator P/N RT19H4FX with a 
new actuator].

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission A25W001-12, dated 
June 6, 2012; and EADS SOGERMA has issued Inspection Service Bulletin

[[Page 73344]]

2510112-25-898, dated April 25, 2012. 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 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 161 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour 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 $4,523 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 
parts. 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 $741,888, or $4,608 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.
    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, 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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2012-1224; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
112-AD.

 (a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 24, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-
622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes; and Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, 
and -325 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer 
serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded slide back of 
the co-pilot seat to the end stop position. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and prevent unwanted movement of a pilot or co-pilot seat 
in the horizontal direction, which could lead to inadvertent input 
on the flight control commands possibly resulting in loss of 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Part Number (P/N) Inspection

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, except as 
provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do an inspection to determine 
the part number of each SOGERMA pilot and co-pilot seat installed on 
the airplane. As an alternative, a review of the maintenance or 
delivery records may be used to determine the part number of the 
pilot and co-pilot seat if the part number can be positively 
determined.

(h) Seats That Have Been Previously Tested or Modified

    SOGERMA pilot and co-pilot seats having P/N 2510112 series (all 
suffixes) or P/N 2510113 series (all suffixes) that, before the 
effective date of this AD, have already passed the tensile test 
specified in paragraph (i) of this AD, or have been modified in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS SOGERMA 
Inspection Service Bulletin 2510112-25-898, dated April 25, 2012, 
are not required to be tested, and are considered to be compliant 
with the requirements of this AD.

(i) Tensile Test

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
the part number of a seat is identified as P/N 2510112 series (all 
suffixes), or P/N 2510113 series (all suffixes): Within 6 months 
after the effective date of this AD, do a tensile test on that seat 
in accordance with Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) 
A25W001-12, dated June 6, 2012.

(j) Replacement or Modification

    If the tensile test sample does not break off while performing 
the test required by paragraph (i) of this AD, before further 
flight, do one of the actions specified in paragraph (j)(1) or 
(j)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Replace the affected seat with a new or serviceable seat 
that has passed the tensile test specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD. Do the replacement in accordance with Airbus AOT A25W001-12, 
dated June 6, 2012.
    (2) Modify the seat by replacing actuator P/N RT19H4FX of the 
affected seat, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
EADS SOGERMA Inspection Service Bulletin 2510112-25-898, dated April 
25, 2012; or Airbus AOT A25W001-12, dated June 6, 2012.

[[Page 73345]]

(k) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
SOGERMA pilot or co-pilot seat having P/N 2510112 series, or P/N 
2510113 series, on any airplane unless it has passed the tensile 
test required by paragraph (i) of this AD, or has been replaced or 
modified as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
European Aviation Safety Agency, Airworthiness Directive 2012-0102, 
dated June 8, 2012, and the service information specified in 
paragraphs (m)(1)(i) and (m)(1)(ii) of this AD, for related 
information.
    (i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A300-A25W001-12, dated 
June 6, 2012.
    (ii) EADS SOGERMA Service Bulletin 2510112-25-898, dated April 
25, 2012.
    (2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 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. For EADS SOGERMA service information 
identified in this AD, contact EADS SOGERMA, Zone Industrielle de 
l'Arsenal, CS. 60109, 17303 Rochefort, Cedex France; phone: 33 5 46 
82 84 84; fax: 33 5 46 82 88 13; email: SCOD1@sogerma.eads.net; 
Internet: http://www.sogerma.eads.net. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 30, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29710 Filed 12-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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