[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 530-534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-201]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-86-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-
600, and A300 B4-600R Series Airplanes; and Model A300 F4-605R 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to all Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-600, 
and A300 B4-600R series airplanes, that would have required repetitive 
inspections for cracking of certain fittings, corrective action if 
necessary, and, for certain airplanes, a modification; and would have 
provided for optional terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections. This new action revises the proposed

[[Page 531]]

rule by including additional airplanes in the applicability. The 
actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to detect and 
correct propagation of cracks on the frame 40 aft fittings due to local 
stress concentrations at the upper flange runout of frame 40, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-86-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments 
may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain 
``Docket No. 99-NM-86-AD'' in the subject line and need not be 
submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-86-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-86-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all 
Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-600, and A300 B4-600R series airplanes, 
was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in 
the Federal Register on August 22, 2001 (66 FR 44089). That 
supplemental NPRM would have required repetitive inspections for 
cracking of certain fittings, corrective action if necessary, and, for 
certain airplanes, a modification; and would have provided for optional 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. That supplemental 
NPRM was prompted by reports of cracked frame 40 aft fittings at 
stringer 33 on the left and right sides of the fuselage. The cracking 
has been attributed to local stress concentration at the upper flange 
runout of frame 40. That condition, if not corrected, could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal

    Due consideration has been given to the comments received in 
response to the first supplemental NPRM.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter, an operator, generally supports the proposal. The 
commenter reports that the proposed actions, including the optional 
terminating action, have already been accomplished on most of its 
airplanes. The commenter also provides the cost of accomplishing the 
work on its fleet.

Request to Revise Applicability

    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the applicability of 
the first supplemental NPRM be revised to include all Airbus Model A300 
F4-605R airplanes. This commenter had earlier requested, in response to 
the original NPRM, that Model A300 F4-622R airplanes be removed from 
the applicability of the original NPRM. However, the commenter notes 
that Model A300 F4-605R airplanes were also removed from the 
applicability, although they are subject to the unsafe condition and 
should be included.
    The FAA concurs, for the reasons identified by the commenter. Model 
A300 F4-605R airplanes had been inadvertently omitted from the 
applicability. The applicability section of this second supplemental 
NPRM has been revised accordingly.

Conclusion

    Since this change expands the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this second supplemental NPRM.
    For affected airplanes, it would take approximately 92 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost as much as 
$874 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed modification is estimated to be as much as $6,394 per 
airplane.
    It would take approximately 10 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,000, or $600 per 
airplane, per inspection cycle.

[[Page 532]]

    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as planning time, time 
required to gain access and close up, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-86-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-600, and A300 
B4-600R series airplanes; and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (g) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct propagation of cracks on the frame 40 aft 
fittings due to local stress concentrations at the upper flange 
runout of frame 40, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification 10430 has not 
been done before the effective date of this AD: Concurrently with 
the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, modify the 
profile of frame 40 aft fittings per the service information 
specified in Table 1, as follows:

                                          Table 1.--Service Information
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                                      Do the actions in
            For model--                accordance with         Of Airbus  Service               Dated--
                                           either--                Bulletin--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A300 B2 and A300 B4 series      (i) Revision 01 or...  A300-53-0296                Sept. 30, 1998.
 airplanes.
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (ii) Revision 02.....  A300-53-0296                May 12, 1999.
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(2) A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R    (i) Revision 01 or...  A300-53-6048                Sept. 30, 1998.
 series airplanes and Model A300
 F4-605R airplanes.
                                    (ii) Revision 03.....  A300-53-6048                Feb. 21, 2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: For Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes 
and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes: Actions performed in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6048, dated January 16, 1996; 
or Revision 02, dated May 12, 1999, are acceptable for compliance 
with the applicable requirements of this AD.


    Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6048 refers to Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-53-6063 as an additional source of service 
information for accomplishment of certain repairs.

Inspection

    (b) For all airplanes, inspect the airplane per Table 2, as 
follows:

                    Table 2.--Inspection Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Requirements                         Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Area to inspect....................  The frame 40 AFT fitting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Type of inspection.................  Nondestructive test (NDT).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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(3) Compliance time....................  As specified by paragraph (c)
                                          of this AD.
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(4) Discrepancies to detect............  Cracking.
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(5) Service information................  Inspect in accordance with the
                                          applicable service bulletin
                                          listed in Table 1 of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Follow-on actions if you find no     Repeat the inspection
 cracking.                                thereafter at the applicable
                                          interval specified by Table 3
                                          of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) Corrective actions if you find       Do the specified actions by
 cracking.                                paragraph (d) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(8) Terminating action.................  The modification specified by
                                          paragraph (e) of this AD
                                          terminates the requirements of
                                          this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 4: An NDT per Part 6 53-15-30 procedure C of the NDT manual 
is also acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph 
(b) of this AD.

    (c) Perform the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD 
per the schedule in Table 3 of this AD. For airplanes on which this 
inspection has been accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD, the initial compliance time may be extended by the repetitive 
interval following the date the inspection was accomplished. Table 3 
follows:

                                    Table 3.--Compliance Times for Inspection
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                                         If the total flight
                                        cycles accumulated on                                 And repeat the
             For model--                the airplane as of the       Then inspect--        inspection at least
                                        effective date of this                                   every--
                                               AD is--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R       (i) Fewer than 6,200...  Before the airplane      7,500 flight cycles or
 series airplanes and Model A300 F4-                             accumulates 7,700        17,250 flight hours,
 605R airplanes, past-Modification                               total flight cycles or   whichever occurs
 10430.                                                          17,710 total flight      first.
                                                                 hours, whichever
                                                                 occurs first.
                                       (ii) At least 6,200 and  Within 1,500 flight      7,500 flight cycles or
                                        fewer than 9,700.        cycles or 3,450 flight   17,250 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
                                       (iii) At least 9,700...  Within 750 flight        7,500 flight cycles or
                                                                 cycles or 1,725 flight   17,250 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
(2) A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R       (i) Fewer than 19,600..  Before the airplane      7,500 flight cycles or
 series airplanes and Model A300 F4-                             accumulates 21,100       17,250 flight hours,
 605R airplanes, pre-Modification                                total flight cycles or   whichever occurs
 10430.                                                          48,530 total flight      first.
                                                                 hours, whichever
                                                                 occurs first.
                                       (ii) At least 19,600     Within 1,500 flight      7,500 flight cycles or
                                        and fewer than 23,100    cycles or 3,450 flight   17,250 flight hours,
                                        9,700.                   hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
                                       (iii) At least 23,100..  Within 750 flight        7,500 flight cycles or
                                                                 cycles or 1,725 flight   17,250 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
(3) A300 B2 series airplanes.........  (i) Fewer than 12,000..  Before the airplane      5,500 flight cycles or
                                                                 accumulates 14,000       5,940 flight hours,
                                                                 total flight cycles or   whichever occurs
                                                                 15,120 total flight      first.
                                                                 hours, whichever
                                                                 occurs first.
                                       (ii) At least 12,000     Within 2,000 flight      5,500 flight cycles or
                                        and fewer than 17,000.   cycles or 2,160 flight   5,940 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.

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                                       (iii) At least 17,000..  Within 1,000 flight      5,500 flight cycles or
                                                                 cycles or 1,080 flight   5,940 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
(4) A300 B4-100 series airplanes.....  (i) Fewer than 9,500...  Before the airplane      4,500 flight cycles or
                                                                 accumulates 11,500       5,985 flight hours,
                                                                 total flight cycles or   whichever occurs
                                                                 15,295 total flight      first.
                                                                 hours, whichever
                                                                 occurs first.
                                       (ii) At least 9,500 and  Within 2,000 flight      4,500 flight cycles or
                                        fewer than 14,500.       cycles or 2,660 flight   5,985 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
                                       (iii) At least 14,500..  Within 1,000 flight      4,500 flight cycles or
                                                                 cycles or 1,330 flight   5,985 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
(5) A300 B4-200 series airplanes.....  (i) Fewer than 8,500...  Before the airplane      4,000 flight cycles or
                                                                 accumulates 10,500       8,320 flight hours,
                                                                 total flight cycles or   whichever occurs
                                                                 21,840 total flight      first.
                                                                 hours, whichever
                                                                 occurs first.
                                       (ii) At least 8,500 and  Within 2,000 flight      4,000 flight cycles or
                                        fewer than 13,500.       cycles or 4,160 flight   8,320 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
                                       (iii) At least 13,500..  Within 1,000 flight      4,000 flight cycles or
                                                                 cycles or 2,080 flight   8,320 flight hours,
                                                                 hours after the          whichever occurs
                                                                 effective date of this   first.
                                                                 AD, whichever occurs
                                                                 first.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 5: An NDT inspection is also required by AD 98-25-07, 
amendment 39-10933, to be repetitively performed on Model A300 B4-
600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes and Model A300 F4-605R 
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 10453 has not been installed. 
For those airplanes, if the inspection is done within the applicable 
compliance time specified by paragraph (c) of this AD, the threshold 
for the initial inspection of paragraph (b) of this AD may be 
extended by 1,500 flight cycles.

Corrective Actions

    (d) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD: Except as required by paragraph (f) of 
this AD, prior to further flight, perform all applicable corrective 
actions in accordance with the applicable service bulletin 
identified in Table 1 of this AD.

Terminating Action

    (e) Accomplishment of the applicable modification in accordance 
with the applicable service bulletin specified by paragraph (e)(1) 
or (e)(2) of this AD terminates the requirements of this AD.
    (1) For Model A300 B4-600 and A300 B4-600R series airplanes: In 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6053, Revision 1, 
dated October 31, 1995; or Revision 02, dated June 2, 1999.
    (2) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: In 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0297, Revision 2, 
dated October 31, 1995.

Exception to Service Bulletin Instructions

    (f) During any inspection required by this AD, if the service 
bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for an appropriate 
action: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Direction Generale de l'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated agent).

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 6: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (h) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 7: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1998-481-270(B) R1, dated July 12, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-201 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U