Document ID: FAA-2014-0140-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-03-12T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13929-13931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05424]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0140; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-176-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 
certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model 
A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a 
report of contact between certain electrical harnesses and the hatrack 
rod that could cause chafing between the harnesses and surrounding 
structure. This proposed AD would require modifying the routing of 
certain electrical harnesses. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
chafing and possible short circuit of two oxygen chemical generator 
containers in different wiring routes, which could result in 
malfunction of the electrical opening of all the containers connected 
to these routes. Such conditions, during a sudden depressurization 
event, could result in lack of oxygen and consequent injuries to 
airplane occupants.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 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--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 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-
0140; 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-2014-0140; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-176-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

[[Page 13930]]

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 2013-0196, dated August 28, 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:

    On the production line, electrical harnesses 1523VB and 1524VB 
have been found in contact with hatrack rod at Frame (FR) 53.7 
between stringers (STR) 14 and 15. It was concluded that there is a 
risk of chaffing between these harnesses and the surrounding 
structure, which could lead to a short circuit on two oxygen 
chemical generator containers in different wiring routes. 
Consequently, the electrical opening of all the containers connected 
to these routes would not be possible, resulting in a malfunction of 
up to two thirds of the affected containers.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead, in case of a 
sudden depressurization event, to lack of oxygen supply, possibly 
resulting in injuries to aeroplane occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus developed two 
modifications of the routing of the affected harnesses.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of the routing of harnesses 1523VB and 1524VB.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0140.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-92-3098 and 
A340-92-4084, dated January 11, 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 51 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
            Action                    Labor cost          Parts cost     Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification..................  6 work-hours x $85     Up to $1,057....  Up to $1,567....  Up to $79,917.
                                 per hour = $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0140; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
176-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 28, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -
321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, all manufacturer 
serial numbers, on which Airbus Modification 48825 has been embodied 
in production; except for airplanes on which Airbus Modification 
52485, 40161, or 201669 has been embodied.

[[Page 13931]]

    (2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes, 
all manufacturer serial numbers, on which Airbus Modification 
48825D42865 has been embodied in production; except for airplanes on 
which Airbus Modification 55606 or 40161 has been embodied.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of contact between certain 
electrical harnesses and the hatrack rod that could cause chafing 
between the harnesses and surrounding structure. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent chafing and possible short circuit of two oxygen 
chemical generator containers in different wiring routes, which 
could result in malfunction of the electrical opening of all the 
containers connected to these routes. Such conditions, during a 
sudden depressurization event, could result in lack of oxygen and 
consequent injuries to airplane occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the 
routing of electrical harnesses 1523VB on the left-hand side and 
1524VB on the right-hand side, at the level of the door 3 area 
between frames 53.6 and 53.8, and between stringers 14 and 15, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A330-92-3098 or A340-92-4084, both dated January 
11, 2013, as applicable.

(h) 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, 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 by the DAH with a State of Design Authority's 
design organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, 
the repair approval must specifically refer to this AD. You are 
required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to 
service.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 
Directive 2013-0196, dated August 28, 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 it in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0140.
    (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 February 28, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05424 Filed 3-11-14; 8:45 am]
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