Document ID: FAA-2012-0939-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-09-20T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 183 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58336-58338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23147]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0939; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-200-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 A330-202, -203, -223, -243, -302, -323, -342, and 
-343 airplanes; and Model A340-313 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports that a specific batch of cargo doors might have 
deviations in quality related to door structure, such as irregular bore 
holes, improper application of sealant and paint, or uncleanliness. 
This proposed AD would require inspecting to identify the part and 
serial numbers of the forward and aft cargo doors, and replacing the 
affected cargo doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent the degraded 
structural capability of the cargo door, a primary structure, from 
leading to failure of the door, which could lead to a breach through 
the door or the door detaching from the airplane, resulting in 
potential rapid decompression.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 5, 
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, 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-2012-0939; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-200-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 2011-0177, dated September 15, 2011 (corrected 
September 28, 2011) (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    Investigations have shown that a specific batch of cargo doors 
might have deviations in

[[Page 58337]]

quality, such as irregular bore holes, improper application of 
sealant and paint or cleanliness. These production deviations are 
related to the quality of the door structure.
    This condition, if not corrected, may degrade the structural 
integrity of the affected Forward (Fwd) and Aft cargo doors.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection to identify the [part and serial numbers of the] Fwd 
and Aft cargo doors, and replacement of the affected cargo doors.
* * * * *

The unsafe condition is the degraded structural capability of the cargo 
door, a primary structure, which could lead to failure of the door, 
which could detach from the airplane or have a breach through the door, 
resulting in potential decompression. Required actions include 
contacting the FAA, or EASA (or its delegated agent), for repair 
instructions for any door part/serial number that cannot be identified 
for a specified airplane. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-52-3083 (for 
affected Model A330 airplanes) and A340-52-4093 (for Model A340-313 
airplanes), both dated May 31, 2011. 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 6 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 $1,020, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 52 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$4,420 per product; the manufacturer has agreed to reimburse these 
labor costs. 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-2012-0939; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-
200-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 5, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model A330-202, -203, -223, -243, -302, -323, -342, and -343 
airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 0796, 0832, 0840, 0845, 
0849, 0853, 0855, 0861, 0862, 0866, 0868, 0871, 0873, 0876, 0879, 
0882, 0885, 0887, 0889, 0891, 0892, 0896, 0898, 0899, 0903, 0904, 
0905, 0907, 0913, 0927, 0930, 0935, 0936, 0937, 0940, 0943, 0944, 
0946, 0949, 0952, 0954, 0964, 0971, 0975, 0982 through 0986 
inclusive, 0988, 0989, 0990, 0992, 0994, 0995, 0997, 0998, 0999, 
1001, 1002, 1003, 1006, 1007, 1009 through 1016 inclusive, 1018, 
1020, 1022, 1023, 1026, 1028, 1029, 1037, 1045, 1049, 1052, 1053, 
1055, 1058, 1060, 1061, 1065 through 1067 inclusive, 1071 through 
1075 inclusive, 1077, 1080, and 1082.
    (2) Model A340-313 airplane, MSN 0955.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52: Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that a specific batch of cargo 
doors might have deviations in quality related to door structure, 
such as irregular bore holes, improper application of sealant and 
paint, or uncleanliness. We are issuing this AD to prevent the 
degraded structural capability of the cargo door, a primary 
structure, from leading to failure of the door, which could detach 
from the airplane or have a breach through the door, resulting in 
potential rapid decompression.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the

[[Page 58338]]

compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been 
done.

(g) Inspection

    At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD: Inspect to identify the part number and serial 
number of the airplane's forward and aft cargo doors, as applicable 
to MSN, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-52-3083, dated May 31, 2011 (for 
Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-52-
4093, dated May 31, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes). A review of 
airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the part number and serial number of the door can be 
conclusively determined from that review.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 7,400 total flight cycles, or 
72 months after the airplane's first flight, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Replacement

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
the part number and serial number of the airplane's forward and/or 
aft cargo doors, as applicable to airplane MSN, are identified in 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-52-3083, dated May 31, 2011 
(for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A340-52-4093, dated May 31, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes): Before 
further flight, replace the affected door with a new or serviceable 
door, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-52-3083, dated May 31, 2011; or 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-52-4093, dated May 31, 2011; 
as applicable.

(i) Repair

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
there is any discrepancy between the installed forward and/or aft 
cargo doors part/serial number and the airplane MSN, as that part/
serial number and MSN are identified in Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A330-52-3083, dated May 31, 2011 (for Model A330 
airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-52-4093, dated 
May 31, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes): Within 10 days after 
accomplishing the inspection, contact the FAA, or the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent), for further 
instructions and time limits, and accomplish those instructions 
within the specified time limits.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane a forward or aft cargo door that was removed from any 
airplane as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

(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, 
Washington 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

    Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0177, dated 
September 15, 2011 (corrected September 28, 2011), and the service 
information identified in paragraphs (l)(1) and (l)(2) of this AD, 
for related information.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-52-3083, dated May 
31, 2011.
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-52-4093, dated May 
31, 2011.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 6, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23147 Filed 9-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P