Document ID: FAA-2013-0418-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2013-05-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 14, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28159-28161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11380]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0418; Directorate Identifier 2012-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 A300 series airplanes; 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). This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report that cracking was found in area 2 
of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46. This proposed 
AD would require a check of maintenance records to determine if certain 
repairs were done in area 1 of the frame brace fittings, and, for 
affected airplanes, a detailed inspection for cracking in area 2 of the 
frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, and repair if 
necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in 
area 2 of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, which 
could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 28, 2013.

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 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 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-2013-0418; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-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

[[Page 28160]]

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 2012-0229, dated October 31, 2012 (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:

    During accomplishment of Airbus SB [service bulletin] A300-53-
6111, which addresses detailed visual inspections of the lower frame 
fittings between Frame (FR) 41 and FR 46, on one A300-600 aeroplane 
a crack was detected in the area 2 of the foot of frame FR 46 at 
junction radius level.
    This frame, that was previously repaired due to a crack finding 
in the area 1, was not due to be inspected before reaching the post-
repair inspection threshold, i.e., 45,400 FC [flight cycles], from 
repair embodiment.
    It has been determined that the current repairs proposed in 
Airbus SB A300-53-6111 and Airbus [SB] A300-53-0337 are of limited 
effect to prevent cracking in the area 2 of the lower frame 
fittings.
    Consequently, as a temporary action and until an improvement of 
the existing repairs is made available, this [EASA] AD requires a 
one-time detailed visual inspection [for cracking] of [the] frame 
base fittings that were repaired in accordance with Airbus SB A300-
53-0337, original issue or Rev. 1, or Airbus SB A300-53-6111 
original issue up to Rev. 4 * * *.

    The unsafe condition is cracking in the frame base fittings, which 
could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. The 
required actions include repairing any cracking found. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A53W001-12, 
dated July 4, 2012, including Appendices 1, 2, and 3. 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.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    Although EASA AD 2012-0229, dated October 31, 2012, specifies to 
contact the manufacturer for instructions to repair certain conditions, 
this proposed AD would require repairing those conditions using a 
method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA (or its delegated agent).

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 124 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 4 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 $42,160, or $340 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take up to 350 work-hours and require parts costing up to $56,469 for a 
cost of $86,219 per product. 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

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 AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-0418; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
200-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 28, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-
103, and B4-203 airplanes, on which any repair has been done as 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0337, dated February 4, 
1999; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0337, Revision 01, dated 
March 17, 2003.
    (2) Airbus 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 A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, on 
which any repair has been done as specified in any

[[Page 28161]]

of the service information identified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i), 
(c)(2)(ii), (c)(2)(iii), (c)(2)(iv), and (c)(2)(v) of this AD.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, dated February 4, 
1999.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 01, dated 
March 17, 2003.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 02, dated 
September 13, 2004.
    (iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 03, dated 
September 30, 2009.
    (v) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-53-6111, Revision 04, 
dated August 25, 2011.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that cracking was found in area 
2 of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in area 2 of the 
frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, which could 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

(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) Maintenance Records Check and Frame Base Fitting Inspection

    Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Check the airplane maintenance records to determine if repairs were 
done in area 1 of the frame base fittings as defined in Appendix 1 
of Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W001-12, dated July 4, 
2012.

(h) Frame Base Fitting Inspection

    If, during any records check required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, it is determined that area 1 of the frame base fittings was 
repaired: Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD do a detailed inspection of the frame base fittings between frame 
41 and frame 46 in the area 2 defined in Appendix 1 of Airbus Alert 
Operators Transmission A53W001-12, dated July 4, 2012.

(i) Corrective Action

    If any cracking is found during any detailed inspection required 
by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, repair the 
cracking using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

(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: Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 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 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 MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0229, dated 
October 31, 2012; and Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W001-
12, dated July 4, 2012, including Appendices 1 and 2, and excluding 
Appendix 3; for related information.
    (2) For service information identified in this 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 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 May 6, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-11380 Filed 5-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P