50256 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 26, 2008 / Proposed Rules 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 

18, 2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–19717 Filed 8–25–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2008–0910; Directorate 

Identifier 2008–NM–033–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330–200, A330–300, A340–300, A340–

500, and A340–600 Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above that would 

supersede an existing AD. This 

proposed AD results from mandatory 

continuing airworthiness information 

(MCAI) originated 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: 

An A330 operator reported a shroud box 

bottom panel missing during a routine 

inspection. The same panel detached from an 

A330 aircraft during take-off, causing damage 

to the surrounding structure and to the 

Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer (THS) tip 

fairing. 

The inspection indicated the blind rivets 

used to attach the panel worked loose 

causing fatigue damage with crack 

propagation through the fastener line 

resulting in panel detachment * * *. 

* * * Three additional events of panel loss 

have been experienced on in service aircraft 

already inspected in accordance with the AD 

requirements * * *. 

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 September 25, 

2008. 

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 

W12–40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

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, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(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–2008–0910; Directorate Identifier 

2008–NM–033–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 

On April 4, 2007, we issued AD 2007–

08–05, Amendment 39–15022 (72 FR 

18563, April 13, 2007). That AD 

required actions intended to address an 

unsafe condition on the products listed 

above. 

Since we issued AD 2007–08–05, we 

have received additional reports of loss 

of the bottom panel of the shroud box 

on in-service airplanes on which the 

one-time detailed inspection required 

by AD 2007–08–05 has been done. 

Therefore, the requirements of AD 

2007–08–05 do not adequately address 

the identified unsafe condition of that 

AD. The European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Community, has issued 

Airworthiness Directive 2008–0002, 

dated January 7, 2008 (referred to after 

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

condition for the specified products. 

The MCAI states: 

An A330 operator reported a shroud box 

bottom panel missing during a routine 

inspection. The same panel detached from an 

A330 aircraft during take-off, causing damage 

to the surrounding structure and to the 

Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer (THS) tip 

fairing. 

The inspection indicated the blind rivets 

used to attach the panel worked loose 

causing fatigue damage with crack 

propagation through the fastener line 

resulting in panel detachment. 

To avoid potential injuries to persons on 

ground, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006–

0107 [which corresponds with FAA AD 

2007–08–05] mandated a one time detailed 

visual inspection of the shroud box bottom 

panel. 

Further to issuance of AD 2006–0107, three 

additional events of panel loss have been 

experienced on in service aircraft already 

inspected in accordance with the AD 

requirements and no findings. Thus, it has 

been decided to delete this one time detailed 

visual inspection and to mandate a 

modification which prevents such unsafe 

condition. Therefore, the present AD 

supersedes EASA AD 2006–0107 and 

mandates the installation of a bolted shroud 

box bottom panel instead of blind riveted 

metallic design. 

The modification includes doing all 

applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions. The related 

investigative action is an inspection to 

detect cracks of the shroud box hole. 

The corrective action is repairing any 

cracked shroud box hole. The 

applicability of the MCAI has been 

revised; certain airplanes have been 

removed and others added. You may 

obtain further information by examining 

the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued the following 

service bulletins: 

• Airbus Service Bulletin A330–57–

3100, dated October 1, 2007; 

• Airbus Service Bulletin A340–57–

4109, dated October 1, 2007; and 

• Airbus Service Bulletin A340–57–

5018, dated October 1, 2007. 

The actions described in this service 

information are intended to correct the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

MCAI. 


sroberts on PROD1PC76 with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 26, 2008 / Proposed Rules 50257 

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. 

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 

highlighted in a NOTE within the 

proposed AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we 

estimate that this proposed AD would 

affect about 34 products of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 20 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 about $990 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 

$88,060, or $2,590 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing Amendment 39–15022 (72 FR 

18563, April 13, 2007) and adding the 

following new AD: 

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2008–0910; 

Directorate Identifier 2008–NM–033–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by 

September 25, 2008. 

Affected ADs 

(b) The proposed AD supersedes AD 2007–

08–05, Amendment 39–15022. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Airbus airplanes 

identified in Table 1 of this AD; certificated 

in any category. 

TABLE 1—APPLICABILITY

For model— On which— Except for those airplanes on which—

(1) A330–200, A330–300, and A340–300 series, all certified models, all serial numbers.Airbus modification 46077 has been embodied 

in production.

Airbus Modification 55568 has been done in 

production, or Airbus Service Bulletin A330–

57–3100 or Airbus Service Bulletin A340–

57–4109 has been embodied in service. 

(2) Airbus A340–500 and A340–600 series, all 

certified models, all serial numbers.

None ................................................................. Airbus modification 55568 has been embodied 

in production, or Airbus Service Bulletin 

A340–57–5018 has been embodied in service. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 57: Wings. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) states: 

An A330 operator reported a shroud box 

bottom panel missing during a routine 

inspection. The same panel detached from an 

A330 aircraft during take-off, causing damage 

to the surrounding structure and to the 

Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer (THS) tip 

fairing. 


sroberts on PROD1PC76 with PROPOSALS
50258 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 26, 2008 / Proposed Rules 

The inspection indicated the blind rivets 

used to attach the panel worked loose 

causing fatigue damage with crack 

propagation through the fastener line 

resulting in panel detachment. 

To avoid potential injuries to persons on 

ground, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006–

0107 [which corresponds with FAA AD 

2007–08–05] mandated a one time detailed 

visual inspection of the shroud box bottom 

panel. 

Further to issuance of AD 2006–0107, three 

additional events of panel loss have been 

experienced on in service aircraft already 

inspected in accordance with the AD 

requirements and no findings. Thus, it has 

been decided to delete this one time detailed 

visual inspection and to mandate a 

modification which prevents such unsafe 

condition. Therefore, the present AD 

supersedes EASA AD 2006–0107 and 

mandates the installation of a bolted shroud 

box bottom panel instead of blind riveted 

metallic design. 

The modification includes doing all 

applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions. The related investigative 

action is an inspection to detect cracks of the 

shroud box hole. The corrective action is 

repairing any cracked shroud box hole. 

New Requirements of This AD: Actions and 

Compliance 

(f) Unless already done: Within 69 months 

after the effective date of this AD, modify the 

shroud box bottom skin panel on both wings, 

and do all applicable related investigative 

and corrective actions, by accomplishing all 

the actions in the applicable service bulletins 

identified in Table 2 of this AD. Do all 

applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions before further flight. 

TABLE 2—SERVICE BULLETINS

Service Bulletin— Dated—

Airbus Service Bulletin A330–57–3100 ....................................................................................................................................... October 1, 2007. 

Airbus Service Bulletin A340–57–4109 ....................................................................................................................................... October 1, 2007. 

Airbus Service Bulletin A340–57–5018 ....................................................................................................................................... October 1, 2007. 

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, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 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: Vladimir 

Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1138; fax (425) 227–1149. Before 

using any approved AMOC on any airplane 

to which the AMOC applies, notify your 

appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the 

FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 

or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. 

(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 2008–

0002, dated January 7, 2008; and the service 

bulletins identified in Table 2 of this AD for 

related information. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 

18, 2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–19716 Filed 8–25–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

Proposed Modification of the Dallas/ 

Fort Worth, TX Class B Airspace Area; 

Public Meetings 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Meetings. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces four 

fact-finding informal airspace meetings 

to solicit information from airspace 

users and others concerning a proposal 

to revise the Class B airspace area at 

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. The purpose of 

these meetings is to provide interested 

parties an opportunity to present views, 

recommendations, and comments on the 

proposal. All comments received during 

these meetings will be considered prior 

to any revision or issuance of a notice 

of proposed rulemaking. 

DATES: The informal airspace meetings 

will be held on Monday, November 3, 

2008, at 5 p.m., Thursday, November 6, 

2008, at 5 p.m., Thursday, November 13, 

2008, at 5 p.m., and Tuesday, November 

18, 2008, at 5 p.m. Comments must be 

received on or before November 26, 

2008. 

ADDRESSES: (1) The meeting on Monday, 

November 3, 2008, will be held at 

Lancaster Recreation Center, 1700 

Veterans Memorial Parkway, Lancaster, 

TX 75134. (2) The meeting on Thursday, 

November 6, 2008, will be held at 

Cavanaugh Flight Museum, 4572 Claire 

Chennault Drive, Addison, TX 75001. 

(3) The meeting on Thursday, November 

13, 2008, will be held at 5000 Airport 

Road, Denton, TX 76205–0207. (4) The 

meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 

2008, will be held at Mesquite Airport 

Terminal Building, 1340 Airport 

Boulevard, Mesquite, TX 75181. 

Comments: Send comments on the 

proposal to: Don Smith, Manager, 

Operations Support Group, Air Traffic 

Organization Central Service Area, 

Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 

Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 

76137, or by fax to (817) 222–5547. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Robert Beck, DFW ATCT/TRACON, 

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, 

2401 International Parkway, Dallas/Fort 

Worth Airport, TX 75261; Telephone 

(972) 615–2530. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (a) The 

meetings will be informal in nature and 

will be conducted by one or more 

representatives of the FAA Central 

Service Center. A representative from 

the FAA will present a formal briefing 

on the planned modification to the Class 

B airspace at Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. 

Each participant will be given an 

opportunity to deliver comments or 

make a presentation. Only comments 

concerning the plan to modify the Class 

B airspace area at Dallas/Fort Worth, 

TX, will be accepted. 

(b) The meetings will be open to all 

persons on a space-available basis. 

There will be no admission fee or other 

charge to attend and participate. 

(c) Any person wishing to make a 

presentation to the FAA panel will be 


sroberts on PROD1PC76 with PROPOSALS