Document ID: FAA-2014-0173-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-03-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17451-17453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06908]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 2014 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 17451]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0173; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-069-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-06-
06 for all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. AD 2009-06-
06 currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new 
limitations and maintenance tasks for aging systems maintenance. Since 
we issued AD 2009-06-06, we have determined that more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. 
This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection 
program to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural 
integrity and reduced control of these airplanes due to the failure of 
system components.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 2014.

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 view this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0173; 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: 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-2014-0173; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-069-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 February 27, 2009, we issued AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 
(74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009). AD 2009-06-06 requires actions intended 
to address an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes.
    Since we issued AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, 
March 24, 2009), we have determined that more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0075, dated March 20, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Model A310-
203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; A300 B4-
601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; A300 B4-605R and B4-622R 
airplanes; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for Airbus aeroplanes are 
currently published in Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
documents.
    The mandatory instructions and airworthiness limitations 
applicable to the Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM) are specified in 
Airbus A310 or A300-600 ALS Part 4 documents, which are approved by 
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). EASA AD 2007-0092 
[http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2007_0092.pdf/AD_2007-0092] [which corresponds to FAA AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842] 
was issued to require compliance to the requirements as specified in 
these documents.
    The revision 02 of Airbus A310 and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4 
documents introduces more restrictive maintenance requirements and/
or airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply with the 
instructions of ALS Part 4 could result in an unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this new AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD

[[Page 17452]]

2007-0092, which is superseded, and requires the implementation of 
the new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations as specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4, 
Revision 02, or Airbus A300-600 ALS Parr 4, Revision 02, as 
applicable to aeroplane type/model.

    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-
0173.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 
4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated November 30, 2012 
(for Model A310 series airplanes); and A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing 
Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated April 18, 2012 (for Model A300-
600 series 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

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 156 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The ALS revision required by AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 
FR 12228, March 24, 2009), and retained in this proposed AD takes about 
1 work-hour per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions that were 
required by AD 2009-06-06 is $85 per product.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour 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 this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $13,260, or $85 
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);
    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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-06-
06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009), and adding the 
following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0173; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
069-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 12, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 
12228, March 24, 2009).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -
304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, 
and B4-622 airplanes; A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; A300 F4-
605R and F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; certificated 
in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Code 32, 
Flight controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural 
integrity and reduced control of these airplanes due to the failure 
of system components.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) To 
Incorporate Limitations and Maintenance Tasks for Ageing Systems 
Maintenance

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (n) of AD 
2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009). Within 
3 months after April 28, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-06-06), 
revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) 
to incorporate Airbus A310 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, 
Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006 (for Model A310 series 
airplanes); or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems 
Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006 (for Model A300-
600 series airplanes). For all tasks identified in Airbus A310 ALS 
Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 
2006; and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, 
Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; do the tasks at the later of 
the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD. The 
repetitive inspections must be accomplished thereafter at the 
interval specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems 
Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; or Airbus A300-
600 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated 
December 21, 2006; as applicable.

[[Page 17453]]

    (1) At the initial compliance times (thresholds) specified in 
Airbus A310 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, 
dated December 21, 2006; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing 
Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; as 
applicable; with the compliance times starting from the later of the 
times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Since first flight of the airplane.
    (ii) Since the applicable part was new or refurbished if the 
part's life (in flight hours, flight cycles, landings, or calendar 
time, as applicable) can be conclusively determined.
    (2) Within 3 months after doing the revision of the ALS of the 
ICA required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

    Note 1:  For additional guidance on the trimmable horizontal 
stabilizer actuator (THSA) life limits, refer to Airbus OIT SE 
999.0074/05/BB, dated August 3, 2005.

    Note 2:  For additional guidance on the THSA life limits and 
calculation method for unknown history of parts, refer to Airbus OIT 
SE 999.0008/07/LB, dated January 16, 2007; and Airbus Service 
Information Letter 05-008, Revision 01, dated February 21, 2007.

(h) Retained Revision of Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) To 
Incorporate Limitations and Maintenance Tasks for Ageing Systems 
Maintenance

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (o) of AD 
2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009), with 
revised affected airplane language. For airplanes on which any life 
limitation/maintenance task has been complied with in accordance 
with the requirements of paragraph (f), (g), (k), (l), or (m) of AD 
2009-06-06: The last accomplishment of each limitation/task must be 
retained as a starting point for the accomplishment of each 
corresponding limitation/task interval now introduced Airbus A310 
ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 
21, 2006; and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems 
Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; as applicable.

(i) Retained No Alternative Inspections/Limitations

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (p) of AD 
2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009). Except 
as provided by paragraph (l) of this AD: After accomplishing the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, no 
alternative inspection, inspection intervals, or limitations may be 
used, except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) New Requirements of This AD: Maintenance Program Revision

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Airbus A310 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, 
dated November 30, 2012 (for Model A310 series airplanes); or Airbus 
A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated 
April 18, 2012 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes). For all 
limitation/replacement/inspection tasks identified in Airbus A310 
ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated November 
30, 2012; and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems 
Maintenance, Revision 02, dated April 18, 2012; the initial 
compliance times for the tasks are at the later of the times 
specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, as applicable. 
Doing any limitation/replacement/inspection task required by this 
paragraph terminates the corresponding task required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD.
    (1) At the initial compliance times (thresholds) specified in 
Airbus A310 ALS Part 4--Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, 
dated November 30, 2012; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4--Ageing 
Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated April 18, 2012; as 
applicable; with the compliance times starting from the later of the 
times specified in paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (j)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Since first flight of the airplane.
    (ii) Since the applicable part was new or refurbished if the 
part's life (in flight hours, flight cycles, landings, or calendar 
time, as applicable) can be conclusively determined.
    (2) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD.

(k) New Limitation: No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishment of the revision required by paragraph (j) 
of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals, 
may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, 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: 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, 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). You are required to ensure the 
product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0075, dated March 20, 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-2014-0173.
    (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 March 19, 2014.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06908 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P