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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61078-61080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20965]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22739; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-098-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes 
(Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes); and Model A310-200 and 
A310-300 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require modifying the forward outflow valve of the 
pressure regulation subsystem. This proposed AD results from a report 
of accidents resulting in injuries occurring on in-service airplanes 
when crewmembers forcibly initiated opening of passenger/crew doors 
against residual pressure, causing the doors to rapidly open. In these 
accidents, the buildup of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by 
the blockage of the outflow valve by an insulation blanket. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent an insulation blanket or other debris from 
being ingested into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the 
pressure regulation subsystem, which could lead to the inability to 
control cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight 
of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 21, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.

[[Page 61079]]

     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.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22739; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-098-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light 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 with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that accidents resulting in injuries 
have occurred on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly 
initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure (a 
positive pressure difference between inside the cabin and outside the 
cabin), causing the doors to rapidly open. In these accidents, the 
buildup of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by the blockage of 
the outflow valve by an insulation blanket, which prevented the valve 
from opening and closing during flight and on the ground to maintain 
control of cabin pressurization.
    In addition, there have been several reports of operator difficulty 
maintaining cabin pressure during cruise. Investigation revealed that 
pieces of a cargo insulation blanket had been ingested into the forward 
outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem located at frame 39 
of the fuselage.
    These conditions, if not corrected, could lead to the inability to 
control cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight 
of the airplane.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    On June 29, 2004, we issued AD 2004-14-08, amendment 39-13717 (69 
FR 41925, July 13, 2004), for certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 
series airplanes. That AD requires modification of the attachment 
system of the insulation blankets of the forward cargo compartment and 
related corrective action. That AD was prompted by several reports of 
operator difficulty maintaining cabin pressure during cruise. 
Investigation revealed that pieces of a cargo insulation blanket had 
been ingested into the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation 
subsystem located at frame 39 of the fuselage. We issued that AD to 
prevent failure of the attachment system of the cargo insulation 
blankets, which could result in detachment and consequent tearing of 
the blankets. Such tearing could result in blanket pieces being 
ingested into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure 
regulation subsystem, which could lead to cabin depressurization and 
adversely affect continued safe flight of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-63-6149 (for Model A300-600 
series airplanes), and Service Bulletin A310-53-2121 (for Model A310-
200 and A310-300 series airplanes), both dated February 25, 2005. The 
service bulletins describe procedures for modifying the forward outflow 
valve of the pressure regulation subsystem. The modification includes 
installing brackets and installing a fence (protective grating) in the 
area of frame 38.2. The DGAC mandated the service information and 
issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-061 R1, dated May 25, 
2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Difference Between French Airworthiness Directive and This Proposed AD

    The applicability of French airworthiness directive F-2005-061 R1, 
dated May 25, 2005, excludes airplanes on which either Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-53-6149 or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2121 has been 
accomplished. However, we have not excluded those airplanes in the 
applicability of this proposed AD; rather, this proposed AD includes a 
requirement to accomplish the actions specified in the service 
bulletins. This requirement would ensure that the actions specified in 
the service bulletins and required by this proposed AD are accomplished 
on all affected airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the 
airplane in the configuration required by this proposed AD unless an 
alternative method of compliance is approved.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 169 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed modification would take

[[Page 61080]]

between 3 and 4 work hours per airplane, depending on airplane 
configuration, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required 
parts cost ranges between $120 and $420 per kit, (2 kits per airplane). 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the modification proposed 
by this AD for U.S. operators ranges between $73,515 and $185,900 or 
between $435 and $1,100 per airplane.

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 have 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 that the 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. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-22739; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
098-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 
21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in Table 
1 of this AD, certificated in any category; except airplanes on 
which Airbus Modification 12921 has been done in production.

                                 Table 1.--Airbus Airplanes Affected by This AD
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                                                  As identified in
                  Airbus model                     Airbus service                      Dated--
                                                     bulletin--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R,         A300-53-6149  February 25, 2005.
 B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R
 Variant F airplanes
A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324,         A310-53-2121  February 25, 2005.
 and -325 airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of accidents resulting in 
injuries occurring on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly 
initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure, 
causing the doors to rapidly open. In these accidents, the buildup 
of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by the blockage of the 
outflow valve by an insulation blanket. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent an insulation blanket or other debris from being ingested 
into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure 
regulation subsystem, which could lead to the inability to control 
cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight of 
the airplane.

Compliance

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

Modification

    (f) Within 22 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the forward outflow value of the pressure regulation subsystem by 
doing all the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-63-6149 (for Model 
A300-600 series airplanes) or A310-53-2121 (for Model A310-200 and 
A310-300 series airplanes), both dated February 25, 2005; as 
applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (h) French airworthiness directive F-2005-061 R1, dated May 25, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 13, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20965 Filed 10-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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