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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46536-46538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18556]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0668; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-017-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 
certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the bottom 
wing skin stringers at rib 14 during full-scale fatigue testing and in 
service. This proposed AD would require modifying the profile of 
stringer run-outs at rib 14 of both wings, including a high frequency 
eddy current inspection of the fastener holes for defects and repair if 
necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking in the bottom 
wing skin stringers, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the wings.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 16, 
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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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. 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, WA 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-2013-0668; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-017-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 2013-0008R1, dated January 22, 2013 (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 full-scale fatigue testing, cracks were detected in the 
bottom wing skin stringers at rib 14. In addition, A300 aeroplane 
operators have also reported finding cracks in the same area.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could impair the 
structural integrity of the wings.
    Additional analysis results showed that the improved design of 
the stringer run-out is necessary for aeroplanes operating beyond 
the ESG 1 [extended service goal 1: 42,500 flight cycles].
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
removal of the stringer end run-out plate at stringer 19 on the 
bottom wing skin and the re-profiling modification of the stringers 
10, 11, 12, 17 and 19.
* * * * *
    The modification also includes doing a high frequency eddy current 
inspection of the fastener holes for defects and repair if necessary. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6046, Revision 
01, dated April 18, 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

[[Page 46537]]

condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    Although Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6046, Revision 
01, dated April 18, 2011, specifies to contact the manufacturer for 
instructions to repair certain conditions, this proposed AD would 
require repairing those conditions using a method approved by either 
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the EASA (or its delegated agent).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 29 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Cost per        Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost            Parts cost           product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification of the profile of     60 work-hours x $85   None...............            $5,100          $147,900
 stringer run-outs.                 per hour = $5,100.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for any on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might 
need this repair.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-0668; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
017-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 16, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and 
B4-622 airplanes; and Airbus Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R 
airplanes; certificated in any category, except airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 10324 or 10325 has been embodied in production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the bottom 
wing skin stringers at rib 14 during full-scale fatigue testing and 
in service. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking in the bottom 
wing skin stringers, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the wings.

(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) Modification of Rib 14

    Before the accumulation of 42,500 total flight cycles, or within 
2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, modify the profile of stringer run-outs at rib 14 of 
both wings, including a high frequency eddy current inspection of 
the fastener holes for defects and all applicable repairs, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A300-57-6046, Revision 01, dated April 18, 2011, 
except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Exception to the Service Information

    Where Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6046, Revision 
01, dated April 18, 2011, specifies to report defects to Airbus, 
this AD requires contacting the Manager, ANM-116, International 
Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent) for repair 
instructions and doing those repairs before further flight.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6046, dated 
January 18, 1994 (which is not incorporated by reference).

(j) 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.

[[Page 46538]]

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, WA 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 
Directive 2013-0008R1, dated January 22, 2013, for related 
information.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness 
Office--EAW, 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. You 
may review copies of this 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 July 21, 2013.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18556 Filed 7-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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