Document ID: FAA-2014-0655-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-10-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 190 (Wednesday, October 1, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59154-59157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23375]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0655; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-070-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 supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-14-
05, for all Airbus Model A310 and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-
600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 2007-14-05 
currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating certain 
certification maintenance requirements. Since we issued AD 2007-14-05, 
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 more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent safety-significant latent failures 
that would, in combination with one or more other specific failures or 
events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition of 
avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection systems, fuel systems, or 
other critical systems.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 17, 
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.

[[Page 59155]]

     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--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 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-
0655; 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-2014-0655; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-070-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 June 26, 2007, we issued AD 2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 
FR 39307, July 18, 2007). AD 2007-14-05 requires actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes.
    Since we issued AD 2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, 
July 18, 2007), we have determined that more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. The European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the aviation authority for the 
Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness 
Directive 2013-0072, dated March 20, 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:

    The airworthiness limitations for Airbus aeroplanes are 
currently published in Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
documents.
    The airworthiness limitations applicable to the A300-600 and 
A300-600ST Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR) were 
previously specified in the Airbus A300-600 CMR document referenced 
AUST5/829//85. DGAC [Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation 
Civile] France issued AD F2005-123 http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/
easaadF2005123.pdf/ADF-
2005-123 (EASA approval 2005-6070) [which corresponds to FAA AD 
2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127] to require compliance to the 
requirements as specified in this document.
    Since that AD was issued, the CMR tasks are now specified in 
Airbus A300-600 and Airbus A310 ALS Part 3 documents, which are 
approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These 
documents introduce more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply with the maintenance 
requirements contained in these documents could result in an unsafe 
condition.
    For the reasons described above, this new [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of DGAC France AD F-2005-123, which is superseded, and 
requires the implementation of the new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements as specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 3 
Revision 00 and A300-600 ALS Part 3 Revision 00, as applicable to 
the 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-
0655.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A310 ALS Part 3, Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMR), dated November 30, 2012. Airbus has also issued 
A300-600 ALS Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), 
dated April 18, 2012. 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.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2007-14-05     1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $13,260
 Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July   hour = $85.
 18, 2007).
Revision of maintenance or inspection   1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85          13,260
 program [new proposed action].          hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 59156]]

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007), and adding 
the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0655; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
070-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 17, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, 
July 18, 2007).

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(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 safety-significant 
latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection 
systems, fuel systems, or other critical systems.

(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) Retained Revision to the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD 
2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007), with no 
changes. Within 3 months after August 22, 2007 (the effective date 
of AD 2007-14-05), revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating Airbus 
A300-600 Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) AI/ST5/829/
85, Issue 12, dated February 2005 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes); or Airbus A310 CMR AI/ST5/849/85, Issue 12, dated 
February 2005 (for Model A310 series airplanes); as applicable. 
Accomplish the actions specified in the applicable CMRs at the 
intervals specified in the applicable CMRs, except as provided by 
paragraph (h) of this AD. Where the CMRs specify to contact the 
Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
operators are required to contact the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. The actions must 
otherwise be accomplished in accordance with the applicable CMRs.

(h) Retained Transition/Grace Period for Maintenance Significant Item 
(MSI) 78.30.00 Tasks

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007), with no 
changes. For tasks identified in MSI 78.30.00, ``Thrust Reverser 
Actuation and Cowling,'' of Section 2, ``CMR `Two Star' Tasks,'' of 
Airbus A300-600 CMR AI/ST5/829/85, Issue 12, dated February 2005; 
and Airbus A310 CMR AI/ST5/849/85, Issue 12, dated February 2005: 
The initial compliance time is within 2,000 flight cycles or 12 
months after August 22, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-14-05), 
whichever occurs later. Thereafter, actions identified in MSI 
78.30.00 must be accomplished within the repetitive interval 
specified in the applicable CMRs. Where the CMRs specify to contact 
the DGAC, operators are required to contact the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
for such approvals. The actions must be accomplished in accordance 
with the applicable CMRs.

(i) New Maintenance/Inspection 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 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements 
(CMR), dated November 30, 2012; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated April 18, 2012. 
Except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD, the initial 
compliance time for accomplishing the actions is at the applicable 
time specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 3, Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMR), dated November 30, 2012, Airbus A300-600 ALS 
Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated April 
18, 2012, as applicable; or within 3 months after the effective date 
of this AD; whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the requirements 
in this paragraph terminates the requirements in paragraph (g) of 
this AD.

(j) New Limitation: No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishment of the revision required by paragraph (i) 
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.

(k) New Compliance Time for Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

    For CMR Task 213000-A0001-1-C, as identified in Sub-section 3-1, 
CMR Tasks, of the Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 3, Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated April 18, 2012: The initial 
compliance time for the task is at the

[[Page 59157]]

applicable time specified in paragraphs (k)(1), (k)(2), and (k)(3) 
of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes having accumulated less than 40,000 total 
flight hours since first flight of the airplane as of the effective 
date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 40,001 total flight 
hours.
    (2) For airplanes having accumulated 40,000 total flight hours 
or more since first flight of the airplane as of the effective date 
of this AD, and on which Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM) Task 
213115-04-1, or Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR) Tasks 
21.31.00/06 and 21.31.00/08, have been accomplished: Before the 
accumulation of 14,000 flight hours after the most recent 
accomplishment of ASM Tasks 213115-04-1, or MRBR Tasks 21.31.00/06 
and 21.31.00/08, whichever occurs later.
    (3) For airplanes having accumulated 40,000 total flight hours 
or more since first flight of the airplane as of the effective date 
of this AD, and on which ASM Task 213115-04-1, or MRBR Tasks 
21.31.00/06 and 21.31.00/08, have not been accomplished: Within 3 
months after the effective date 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, 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: 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions 
from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0072, 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-2014-0655.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 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 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 September 20, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23375 Filed 9-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P