Document ID: FAA-2013-1031-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2013-12-26T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 248 (Thursday, December 26, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78294-78296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30897]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-1031; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-155-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, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series 
airplanes; and Model A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the failure of the 
generator control unit-constant speed motor/generator (GCU-CSM/G) 
during a final assembly operational test. This proposed AD would 
require a detailed inspection of the connector wires for GCU-CSM/G 
connector 1XE-A for discrepancies (evidence of arcing or overheating 
damage), and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. 
We are proposing this AD to detect and correct incorrect locking of 
contacts into connector 1XE-A of the GCU-CSM/G, which could result in a 
loss of contact continuity and lead to the CSM/G not operating, which, 
in conjunction with an emergency electrical configuration loss of the 
main electrical system or total engine flame out, could adversely 
affect the airplane's safe flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 10, 
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-

[[Page 78295]]

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; 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: 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-2013-1031; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-155-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 Members of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0175, dated August 2, 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:

    During Final Assembly Line tests on an A330 aeroplane, the 
Generator Control Unit--Constant Speed Motor/Generator (GCU-CSM/G) 
failed the operational test.
    Investigations revealed that it is due to incorrect locking of 
some contacts (pins) into the GCU-CSM/G connector 1XE-A. An 
inspection of other aeroplanes confirmed this production quality 
issue. Among the 26 pins used in GCU-CSM/G connector 1XE-A, 6 pins 
have been identified as potentially affected by this issue.
    A badly locked contact could result in a loss of continuity and 
lead to the non-operation of the CSM/G.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, and in 
conjunction with either an emergency electrical configuration loss 
of main electrical system or total engine flame out, could 
jeopardize the aeroplane's safe flight.
    To address this condition, Airbus developed Alert Operator 
Transmission (AOT) A24L001-13, to provide instructions for a one-
time inspection.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time 
[detailed] inspection of the potentially affected connector wires of 
GCU-CSM/G connector 1XE-A and, depending on [the] finding, 
accomplishment of [a related investigative action] and applicable 
corrective actions.

    The related investigative action is a detailed inspection of the 
receptacle contacts of the GCU-CSM/G for proper engagement and evidence 
of arcing or overheating damage. The corrective actions include 
replacing damaged (evidence of arcing or overheating) contacts, and if 
necessary the electrical connector; and replacement of the GCU-CSM/G if 
the receptacle contacts show evidence of arcing or overheating damage.
    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-2013-1031.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission A24L001-13, dated 
July 25, 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 76 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $6,460, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing up to $17,314, for a 
cost of up to $17,399 per product. We have no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might 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

[[Page 78296]]

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-1031; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
155-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 10, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -
343 airplanes; and A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and 
-642 airplanes; certificated in any category; manufacturer serial 
numbers (MSNs) 1 through 1391 inclusive, except MSNs 0925 and 1382.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the failure of the generator control 
unit-constant speed motor/generator (GCU-CSM/G) during a final 
assembly operational test. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct incorrect locking of contacts into connector 1XE-A of the 
GCU-CSM/G, which could result in a loss of contact continuity and 
lead to the CSM/G not operating, which, in conjunction with an 
emergency electrical configuration loss of the main electrical 
system or total engine flame out, could adversely affect the 
airplane's safe flight.

(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) Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (1) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Do a detailed inspection for discrepancies (proper engagement 
and evidence of arcing or overheating) of the affected connector 
wires of GCU-CSM/G connector 1XE-A, in accordance with Airbus Alert 
Operators Transmission A24L001-13, dated July 25, 2013.
    (2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, any discrepancy is detected, before further flight, do all 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in 
accordance with Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A24L001-13, 
dated July 25, 2013.

(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, 
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, 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 Design Approval Holder 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 Airworthiness Directive 2013-
0175, dated August 2, 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-2013-1031.
    (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 December 17, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30897 Filed 12-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P