Document ID: FAA-2012-1074-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-10-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63264-63266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25427]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1074; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-027-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 series airplanes; Model A330-200 and -
300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in 
certain rods installed in the belly fairing, which could lead to cracks 
at the crimped end of the rod. This proposed AD would require an 
inspection of the rods to determine the manufacturer; and for affected 
parts, an inspection for any cracking of the rods, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing 
this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rods, which could result 
in rupture of rods that attach the belly fairing to the airframe, 
leading to separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, and 
consequent damage to airplane structure and airplane systems.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 30, 
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, 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; 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.

[[Page 63265]]

FAA-2012-1074; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-027-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 2012-0005, dated January 10, 2012 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A rod manufacturing process defect has been identified at the 
supplier, Technical Airborne Components Industries (TAC), which 
could lead to cracks at the crimped end of the rod.
    A design review of all affected rods has demonstrated that 
rupture of rods which attach the belly fairing can lead to 
separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, which would 
constitute an unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires detailed 
visual inspections of the 21 affected rods installed in the belly 
fairing for manufacturer identification, and if TAC is identified as 
manufacturer, or if the manufacturer cannot be identified, to 
further inspect the rods to find any crack, using a high frequency 
eddy current (HFEC) method and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of the applicable [related investigative and] 
corrective actions, to ensure structural integrity of the belly 
fairing rods. This AD also prohibits installation of an affected TAC 
rod as replacement part in the belly fairing to all aeroplanes.

A design review of all affected rods has demonstrated that rupture of 
rods which attach the belly fairing can lead to separation of the belly 
fairing from the airframe, which can cause damage to airplane structure 
and airplane systems. The related investigative actions include an 
inspection to determine the manufacturer and an HFEC inspection of any 
affected replacement rod for any cracking. The corrective actions 
include replacing the cracked rod with a new rod. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-53-3186 and 
A340-53-4185, both including Appendix 01, both Revision 01, both dated 
April 7, 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 54 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 13 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 $59,670, or $1,105 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take 28 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of $2,380 
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-2012-1074; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
027-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 30, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 63266]]

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53; Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in 
certain rods installed in the belly fairing, which could lead to 
cracks at the crimped end of the rod. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct cracking of the rods, which could result in 
rupture of rods that attach the belly fairing to the airframe, 
leading to separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, and 
consequent damage to airplane structure and airplane 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) Actions

    For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, 
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, having 
manufacturer serial number (MSN) 0002 to 1113 inclusive, except MSN 
0996, 1039, 1054, 1059, 1105, 1107, 1108 and 1112; and Model A340-
211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes: Within 72 months 
after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions in 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-53-3186, excluding Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated April 7, 
2011 (for Model A330 airplanes); or A340-53-4185, excluding Appendix 
01, Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes).
    (1) Do a detailed inspection of the 21 rods of the belly fairing 
identified in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, 
excluding Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011 (for Model 
A330 airplanes); or A340-53-4185, excluding Appendix 01, Revision 
01, dated April 7, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes); for rod 
manufacturer identification. A review of airplane maintenance 
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the manufacturer 
of the rods can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (2) If the rod manufacturer is found to be Technical Airborne 
Components Industries (TAC), or if the manufacturer cannot be 
identified, do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for 
cracking of the crimped end of the rod body and, if any crack is 
found, before further flight, do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions.

(h) Parts Installation Limitations

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any 
affected TAC rod, as identified in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-53-3186, Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011; or A340-53-4185, 
Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011; as applicable; on any airplane 
unless the rod has passed (found to have no cracking) the inspection 
as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the inspections and 
corrective actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those 
actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, dated January 17, 
2011; or A340-53-4185, dated January 17, 2011; which are not 
incorporated by reference.

(j) 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; phone: (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness 
Directive 2012-0005, dated January 10, 2012, and the Airbus service 
information identified in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (k)(1)(ii) of 
this AD, for related information.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, excluding 
Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4185, excluding 
Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011.
    (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, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 2012.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-25427 Filed 10-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P