[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17996-17998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7708]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-
605R Variant F, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600), and A310 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and 
A310 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the 
attachment system of the insulation blankets of the forward cargo 
compartment and related corrective action. This action is necessary to 
prevent failure of the attachment system of the cargo insulation 
blankets, which could result in detachment and consequent tearing of 
the blankets. Such tearing could result in blanket pieces being 
ingested into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure 
regulation subsystem, which could lead to cabin depressurization and 
adversely affect continued safe flight of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-12-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2003-NM-12-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 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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.

[[Page 17997]]

    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 2003-NM-12-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. 2003-NM-12-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Model A300-600 and A310 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that there have been several reports of 
operator difficulty maintaining cabin pressure during cruise. 
Investigation revealed that pieces of a cargo insulation blanket had 
been ingested into the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation 
subsystem located at frame 39 of the fuselage. Additional reports, 
obtained during routine inspections on other airplanes, revealed that 
the same type of cargo insulation blankets were found damaged. The 
damage was due to broken fasteners on the attachment system, which 
caused the blankets to detach and tear apart. Such conditions, if not 
corrected, could result in blanket pieces being ingested into and 
jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem, 
which could lead to cabin depressurization and adversely affect 
continued safe flight of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A300-21-6045 and A310-21-2059, 
both Revision 01, both dated May 22, 2002. The service bulletins 
describe procedures for modification of the attachment system of the 
insulation blankets of the forward cargo compartment and related 
corrective action. The modification includes the installation of 
insulation brackets on the attachment system, installation of adhesive 
on the insulation blanket, cutting the blanket and trimming the cutout 
sections, and re-identification of the blanket. The related corrective 
action involves repair of any damaged insulation blanket. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 2002-626(B) R1, dated March 19, 2003, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Difference Between Service Bulletin A310-21-2059, Revision 01, and 
Proposed AD

    The service bulletin recommends prior or concurrent accomplishment 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-21-2012 (Airbus Modification 3881), 
Revision 03, dated April 9, 1986; however, we have been informed by the 
manufacturer that this is an inadvertent error. Therefore, this 
proposed AD follows the applicability in the French airworthiness 
directive and is applicable to A310 series airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 3881 has already been done.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 149 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this proposed AD, that it would take about 3 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish the proposed modification, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $198 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $58,557, or $393 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, 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

[[Page 17998]]

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: Docket 2003-NM-12-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, 
and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600), and A310 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; on which Airbus 
Modification 12340 or 12556 has not been done; and A310 series 
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 3881 has been done.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the attachment system of the cargo 
insulation blankets, which could result in detachment and consequent 
tearing of the blankets, resulting in blanket pieces being ingested 
into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure 
regulation subsystem, which could lead to cabin depressurization and 
adversely affect continued safe flight of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the attachment system of the insulation blankets of the forward 
cargo compartment by doing all the applicable actions per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-31-6045 
(for Model A300-600 series airplanes) or A310-21-2059 (for Model 
A310 series airplanes), both Revision 01, both dated May 22, 2002, 
as applicable. Repair any damaged insulation blanket before further 
flight, per the applicable service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-626(B) R1, dated March 19, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7708 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P