Document ID: FAA-2014-0251-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-05-15T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 94 (Thursday, May 15, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27814-27817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11187]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0251; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-179-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 A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, -300, -
500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a 
determination that the service life limits of the cabin pressure 
control system (CPCS) safety valves installed on the aft pressure 
bulkhead were being exceeded. This proposed AD would require repetitive 
replacement of the CPCS safety valves with serviceable valves. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent exceeding the service life limits of the 
CPCS safety valves, which, in the event of a failure, could result in 
excessive positive or negative differential pressure in the fuselage 
and consequent

[[Page 27815]]

incapacitation or injuries to airplane occupants.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 30, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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 view 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0251; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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; 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-2014-0251; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-179-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 2013-0201, dated September 4, 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:

    Investigation results on the Cabin Pressure Control System 
(CPCS) safety valve demonstrate that this part is subject to 
repetitive restoration every 50,000 flight hours (FH) or 12 years, 
but this airworthiness instruction is not yet reflected in the 
instructions for continuing airworthiness. Moreover, this safety 
valve, part of the CPCS, is not failure monitored.
    In order to maintain the required safety objectives, the CPCS 
safety valves must be replaced by a serviceable part no later than 
the above values.
    For the reasons describe above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive replacement of CPCS safety valves.

Exceeding the service life limits of the CPCS safety valve, in the 
event of a failure, could result in excessive positive or negative 
differential pressure in the fuselage, and consequent incapacitation or 
injuries to airplane occupants.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0251.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the following service information:
     Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-21-3154, Revision 01, 
dated April 10, 2013.
     Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-21-4150, Revision 01, 
dated April 10, 2013.
     Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-21-5044, Revision 01, 
dated April 10, 2013.
     Task 21-31.00/09, Remove Safety Valve for Restoration, of 
Section C-21, Air Conditioning, of Section C, Systems and Power-plant 
Section of the A330 Maintenance Review Board Report, Revision 14, dated 
June 2013.
     Task 21-31.00/09, Remove Safety Valve for Restoration, of 
Section C-21, Air Conditioning, of Section C, Systems and Power-plant 
Section of the A340 Maintenance Review Board Report, Revision 14, dated 
June 2013.
    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

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 77 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 25 work-hours 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 $9,784 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $916,993, or $11,909 per product, 
per replacement cycle.

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

[[Page 27816]]

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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0251; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
179-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 30, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes; Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313 
airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes; certificated in 
any category; all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21, Air 
conditioning.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the service life 
limits of the cabin pressure control system (CPCS) safety valves 
installed on the aft pressure bulkhead were being exceeded. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent exceeding the service life limits of the 
CPCS safety valve, which, in the event of a failure, could result in 
excessive positive or negative differential pressure in the 
fuselage, and consequent incapacitation or injuries to airplane 
occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Replacement of CPCS Safety Valves

    (1) For airplanes on which the total number of flight hours 
accumulated on the CPCS safety valves are known: Replace the CPCS 
safety valve with a serviceable valve at the later of the times 
specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD. Replace 
the valve in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service information identified in paragraph (g)(3)(i), 
(g)(3)(ii), or (g)(3)(iii) of this AD. Repeat the replacement at 
intervals not to exceed 50,000 flight hours or 12 years accumulated 
on the CPCS safety valve, whichever occurs first.
    (i) Before the safety valve accumulates 50,000 total flight 
hours or 12 years since first installation or since the last 
restoration, as applicable, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) Within 26 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which the total number of flight hours 
accumulated on the CPCS safety valve are unknown: Replace the CPCS 
safety valve with a serviceable valve within 26 months after the 
effective date of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service information identified in 
paragraph (g)(3)(i), (g)(3)(ii), or (g)(3)(iii) of this AD. Repeat 
the replacement at intervals not to exceed 50,000 flight hours or 12 
years accumulated on the CPCS safety valve, whichever occurs first.
    (3) Use the applicable service information identified in 
paragraph (g)(3)(i), (g)(3)(ii), or (g)(3)(iii) of this AD to 
accomplish the specified actions in paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-21-3154, Revision 01, 
dated April 10, 2013 (for Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200 and -
300 series airplanes).
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-21-4150, Revision 
01, dated April 10, 2013 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes).
    (iii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-21-5044, Revision 
01, dated April 10, 2013 (for Model A340-500 and -600 series 
airplanes).

(h) Definition of Serviceable Valves

    For the purposes of this AD, a serviceable CPCS safety valve is 
a safety valve which has not exceeded the following service life 
limits, as applicable: 12 years since its manufacturing date, or 
50,000 total flight hours since first installation on an airplane, 
whichever occurs first; or 12 years since its last restoration, or 
50,000 total flight hours since its last restoration, whichever 
occurs first.

(i) Optional Method of Compliance

    Accomplishment of Task 21.31.00/09, Remove Safety Valve for 
Restoration, of Section C-21, Air Conditioning, of Section C, 
Systems and Power-plant Section of the Airbus A330 Maintenance 
Review Board Report, Revision 14, dated June 2013; or Airbus A340 
Maintenance Review Board Report, Revision 14, dated June 2013; as 
applicable; constitutes compliance with any replacement required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using the service 
information identified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of 
this AD, which are not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-21-3154, dated 
November 17, 2011.
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-21-4150, dated 
November 17, 2011.
    (3) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-21-5044, dated 
November 17, 2011.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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; telephone 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, use these actions if they 
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if 
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its 
delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's 
design organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, 
the repair approval must

[[Page 27817]]

specifically refer to this AD. You are required to ensure the 
product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 
Directive 2013-0201, dated September 4, 2013, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2014-0251.
    (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 view 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 April 14, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-11187 Filed 5-14-14; 8:45 am]
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