Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 185 / Monday, September 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules 58789 

dated August 6, 2010. Repeat the inspection 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 

flight hours. Accomplishment of the actions 

required by paragraph (j) of this AD 

terminates the requirements of this 

paragraph. 

(h) Retained Initial Inspections and 

Replacement/Repair for Certain Higher 

Flight Time Airplanes 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (h) of AD 2011–03–13, 

Amendment 39–16597 (76 FR 6539, February 

7, 2011). Except for Model CL–600–2C10 

(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplane, 

serial number 10002, for airplanes that have 

accumulated more than 4,000 total flight 

hours as of March 14, 2011 (the effective date 

of AD 2011–03–13): Within 2,000 flight hours 

after March 14, 2011 (the effective date of AD 

2011–03–13), do a detailed inspection of the 

RTL for broken return springs and damage 

through the casing, or chafing of the casing 

of the primary actuator, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, 

Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Before 

further flight, replace any broken return 

springs with new springs, and repair or 

replace any chafed or damaged primary 

actuator with a new actuator, as applicable, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 

670BA–27–055, Revision A, dated August 6, 

2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours. 

Accomplishment of the actions required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the 

requirements of this paragraph. 

(i) New RTL Spring Inspection and 

Replacement for a Certain Airplane 

For Model CL–600–2C10 (Regional Jet 

Series 700, 701, & 702) airplane, serial 

number 10002, at the applicable time 

specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this 

AD: Do a detailed inspection of the RTL for 

broken return springs and damage through 

the casing, or chafing of the casing of the 

primary actuator, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, Revision A, 

dated August 6, 2010. Before further flight, 

replace any broken return springs with new 

springs, and repair or replace with a new 

actuator any chafed or damaged primary 

actuator, as applicable, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, 

Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Repeat the 

inspection thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 6,000 flight hours. Accomplishment 

of the applicable actions required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the 

requirements of this paragraph. 

(1) If the airplane has accumulated 4,000 

or less total flight hours as of the effective 

date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 

6,000 total flight hours. 

(2) If the airplane has accumulated more 

than 4,000 total flight hours as of the 

effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 flight 

hours after the effective date of this AD. 

(j) New RTL Spring Replacement 

At the applicable time specified in 

paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD: Replace 

the RTL return springs with new springs, and 

do all applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 670BA–27–059, Revision A, 

dated March 8, 2012. Do all applicable 

related investigative and corrective actions 

before further flight. Accomplishment of the 

applicable actions required by this paragraph 

terminates the requirements of paragraphs 

(g), (h), and (i) of this AD. 

(1) For airplanes with RTL return springs 

having part number (P/N) 670–93465–1: 

Within 6,000 flight cycles after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(2) For airplanes with RTL return springs 

having P/N E0650–069–2750S: At the 

applicable time specified in paragraph 

(j)(2)(i), (j)(2)(ii), or (j)(2)(iii) of this AD. 

(i) For airplanes with 15,400 total flight 

cycles or more as of the effective date of this 

AD: Within 2,000 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD. 

(ii) For airplanes with 5,200 total flight 

cycles or more, but less than 15,400 total 

flight cycles as of the effective date of this 

AD: Within 5,000 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD, but not to exceed 

17,400 total flight cycles. 

(iii) For airplanes with less than 5,200 total 

flight cycles as of the effective date of this 

AD: Before accumulating 10,200 total flight 

cycles. 

(k) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of 

this AD, if those actions were performed 

before March 14, 2011 (the effective date of 

AD 2011–03–13, Amendment 39–16597 (76 

FR 6539, February 7, 2011)), using 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, 

dated May 11, 2010, which is not 

incorporated by reference in this AD. 

(2) This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD using Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 670BA–27–059, dated 

October 12, 2011, which is not incorporated 

by reference in this AD. 

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), ANE–170, 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: 

Program Manager, Continuing Operational 

Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart 

Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 

11590; telephone 516–228–7300; fax 516– 

794–5531. 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. AMOCs approved previously in 

accordance with AD 2011–03–13, 

Amendment 39–16597 (76 FR 6539, February 

7, 2011), are approved as AMOCs for 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 MCAI Canadian Airworthiness 

Directive CF–2010–18R1, dated March 19, 

2012, and the following service information, 

for related information. 

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27– 

059, Revision A, dated March 8, 2012. 

(ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA– 

27–055, Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 CoˆteVertu Road West, Dorval, Que ́bec H4S 1Y9, 

Canada; telephone 514–855–5000; fax 514– 

855–7401; email 

thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http:// 

www.bombardier.com. You may review 

copies of the referenced service information 

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. 

For information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 11, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–23432 Filed 9–21–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0999; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–049–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A330–200 Freighter series 

airplanes, Model A330–200 series 

airplanes, Model A330–300 series 

airplanes, Model A340–200 series 

airplanes, and Model A340–300 series 

airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a report of an in-flight turn 

back after the nose landing gear (NLG) 

did not retract after take-off. This 

proposed AD would require repetitive 

overhaul of the NLG retraction actuator. 

We are proposing this AD to prevent 

failure of the retraction actuator, which 

could cause collapse of the NLG after 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
58790 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 185 / Monday, September 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

touchdown and possible injury to 

flightcrew and passengers. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by November 8, 2012. 

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 service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Airbus SAS— 

Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 Rond 

Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 

Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 

96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

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

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; phone: (425) 227–1138; 

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–2012–0999; Directorate Identifier 

2012–NM–049–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD based on those comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2012–0034, 

dated February 29, 2012 (referred to 

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

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

An A330 aeroplane experienced an inflight turn back due to inability to retract the 

NLG [nose landing gear] after take-off. 

The subsequent technical investigations 

revealed that the NLG retraction actuator eyeend fitting was detached from the retraction 

actuation rod, that both the eye-end male 

threads and piston rod female threads were 

almost completely stripped, and that there 

was evidence of significant corrosion on 

these parts. Further investigations have 

shown that corrosion caused the retraction 

actuator eye failure. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead 

to NLG collapse after touchdown, potentially 

resulting in damage to the aeroplane and 

injury to its occupants. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires accomplishment of an 

overhaul of the NLG retraction actuator. This 

[EASA] AD also defines the Time Between 

Overhaul (TBO) for the NLG retraction 

actuator to be 10 years. 

You may obtain further information by 

examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued Mandatory Service 

Bulletins A330–32–3255 and A340–32– 

4291, both including Appendices 01 

and 02, both dated October 13, 2011. 

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 65 products of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 16 work-hours per product to 

comply with the basic requirements of 

this proposed AD. The average labor 

rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on 

these figures, we estimate the cost of the 

proposed AD on U.S. operators to be 

$88,400, or $1,360 per product. 

Should an operator elect to 

accomplish an optional replacement 

instead, we estimate that any optional 

replacement action would take about 16 

work-hours and require parts costing 

$94,000 for a cost of $95,360 per 

product. We have no way of 

determining the number of products 

that may need these actions. 

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: 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 185 / Monday, September 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules 58791 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2012–0999; 

Directorate Identifier 2012–NM–049–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by November 

8, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the airplanes, 

certificated in any category, identified in 

paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD. 

(1) Airbus A330–201, A330–202, A330– 

203, A330–223, A330–223F, A330–243, 

A330–243F, A330–301, A330–302, A330– 

303, A330–321, A330–322, A330–323, A330– 

341, A330–342, and A330–343 series 

airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers 

(MSN). 

(2) Airbus A340–211, A340–212, A340– 

213, A340–311, A340–312, and A340–313 

airplanes, all MSN. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 32; Landing gear. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report of an 

in-flight turn-back after the nose landing gear 

(NLG) did not retract after take-off. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 

retraction actuator, which could cause 

collapse of the NLG after touchdown and 

possible injury to flightcrew and passengers. 

(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) Actions 

At the applicable compliance time 

specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this 

AD, whichever occurs later, do an overhaul 

of the NLG retraction actuator, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–32– 

3255, excluding Appendices 01 and 02, dated 

October 13, 2011 (for Model A330 airplanes); 

or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340– 

32–4291, excluding Appendices 01 and 02, 

dated October 13, 2011 (for Model A340 

airplanes). Repeat the overhaul thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 10 years. 

(1) Prior to the accumulation of 10 years 

since the NLG retraction actuator’s first flight 

on an airplane or from its first flight 

following its last overhaul. 

(2) At the applicable time specified in 

paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD. 

(i) If, on the effective date of this AD, the 

NLG retraction actuator has accumulated 

more than 8 years, and less than 14 years, 

from its first flight on an airplane: Within 24 

months after the effective date of this AD or 

prior to the accumulation of 15 years since 

the NLG retraction actuator’s first flight on an 

airplane, whichever occurs first. 

(ii) If, on the effective date of this AD, the 

NLG retraction actuator has accumulated 14 

years or more since its first flight on an 

airplane: Within 12 months after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(h) Parts Installation Limitation 

As of the effective date of this AD, do not 

install on an airplane any NLG retraction 

actuator, unless in compliance with the 

requirements of this AD. 

(i) 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: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: (425) 227–1138; 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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 

Directive 2012–0034, dated February 29, 

2012, and the service information identified 

in paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (j)(1)(ii) of this AD, 

for related information. 

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A330–32–3255, excluding Appendices 01 

and 02, dated October 13, 2011. 

(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A340–32–4291, excluding Appendices 01 

and 02, dated October 13, 2011. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS—Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. 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 

September 12, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–23433 Filed 9–21–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0998; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–249–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 737–600, 

–700, –700C, –800, -900, and –900ER 

series airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a new revision to the 

airworthiness limitations of the 

maintenance planning data document. 

This proposed AD would require 

revising the maintenance program to 

update inspection requirements to 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS