Document ID: FAA-2012-1162-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-11-07T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66760-66762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27142]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1162; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-002-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, A340-
300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by several reports of a burning smell and/or smoke in the 
cockpit during cruise phase leading, in some cases, to diversion to 
alternate airports. This proposed AD would require an inspection to 
identify the installed windshields and replacement of any affected 
windshield. We are proposing this AD to prevent significantly increased 
workload for the flightcrew, which could, under some flight phases and/
or circumstances, constitute an unsafe condition.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 24, 
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, Washington. 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; 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-2012-1162; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-002-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 2011-0242, dated December 19, 2011 (corrected 
February 15, 2012), (referred to after this

[[Page 66761]]

as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products.
    The MCAI states:

    Several operators have reported cases of burning smell and/or 
smoke in the cockpit during cruise phase leading in some cases to 
diversion.
    Findings have shown that the cause of these events is the 
burning of the Saint-Gobain Sully (SGS) windshield connector 
terminal block.
    This condition, if not corrected, could significantly increase 
the flight crew workload which would, under some flight phases and/
or circumstances, constitute an unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
identification of the installed windshields and replacement of the 
affected part.
* * * * *
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 A330-56-3009, Revision 01, 
including Appendices 01, 02, and 03, dated January 27, 2011 (for Model 
A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, 
-322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes).
     Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendices 
01, 02, and 03, dated May 4, 2010 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -
311, -312, and -313 airplanes).
     Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendices 
01, 02, and 03, dated May 4, 2010 (for Model A340-541 and -642 
airplanes).
    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 55 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 2 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 $9,350, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$850 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 parts. As we do not control warranty coverage 
for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than 
estimated here. 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:
    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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2012-1162; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
002-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 24, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer 
serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, 
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, 
and -642 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 56, Windows.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by several reports of a burning smell and/
or smoke in the cockpit during cruise phase leading, in some cases, 
to diversion to alternate airports. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent significantly increased workload for the flightcrew, which 
could, under some flight phases and/or circumstances, constitute an 
unsafe condition.

(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) Inspection

    Within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect to identify the

[[Page 66762]]

manufacturer, the part number, and the serial number of the left-
hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) windshields installed on the airplane, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
Airbus service information identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), 
or (g)(3) of this AD. A review of airplane delivery or maintenance 
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
manufacturer, part number, and serial number of the installed 
windshields can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including 
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
    (2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix 
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
    (3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 
02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.

(h) Replacement

    If it is found during the inspection required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD that any installed LH or RH windshield was manufactured 
by Saint-Gobain Sully (SGS) and the part number and serial number 
are identified in the applicable Airbus service information 
identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD: Within 
9 months or 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, replace all affected LH and RH windshields, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
Airbus service information identified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), 
or (h)(3) of this AD.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including 
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
    (2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix 
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
    (3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 
02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -
223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -
342, and -343 airplanes, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-
3009, dated May 4, 2010, which is not incorporated by reference in 
this AD.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on an 
airplane any affected windshield from SGS and having a part number 
and serial number as identified in the applicable service 
information identified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of 
this AD, unless a suffix ``U'' is present at the end of the S/N.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including 
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
    (2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix 
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
    (3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 
02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.

(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, 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; 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 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2011-0242, dated December 19, 2011 (corrected February 15, 
2012), and the service information identified in paragraphs 
(k)(1)(i) through (k)(1)(iii) of this AD, for related information.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, including 
Appendix 01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated January 27, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, including Appendix 
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, including Appendix 
01, excluding Appendices 02 and 03, dated May 4, 2010.
    (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, Washington. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 31, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27142 Filed 11-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P