[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64504-64506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24731]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19542; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-282-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-622R and A300 F4-
622R Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-622R and A300 F4-622R airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require doing a one-time inspection to determine if 
lower guide fittings for the forward doors are installed in the correct 
positions, and corrective action if

[[Page 64505]]

necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports that lower guide 
fittings for the forward doors were found installed in the wrong 
positions at frames 14 and 16A. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
difficulty opening the forward doors, which could impede an emergency 
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 6, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 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, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical Information: 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.
    Plain Language Information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19542; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-282-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-622R and 
A300 F4-622R airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during the delivery 
process of an airplane, lower guide fittings for the forward doors were 
found installed in the wrong positions at frames 14 and 16A. 
Inspections on the production line revealed that other airplanes may 
also have lower guide fittings for the forward doors installed in the 
wrong positions. This condition, if not corrected, could cause 
difficulty opening the forward doors, which could impede an emergency 
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-53-6140, Revision 01, dated 
November 24, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for a 
detailed visual inspection to determine if lower guide fittings for the 
forward doors are installed in the correct positions, based on which 
part number is installed in which location. Corrective action, if any 
lower guide fitting is installed in the wrong position, includes re-
installing the lower guide fitting in the correct position, or 
replacing the lower guide fitting with a new, improved guide fitting, 
as applicable. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The 
DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness 
directive 2003-292(B), dated August 6, 2003, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. According to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between 
the Proposed AD and Service Information.''

[[Page 64506]]

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    The Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service bulletin 
describe procedures for reporting inspection findings to the 
manufacturer. This proposed AD would not require this.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    In this proposed AD, the ``detailed visual inspection'' specified 
in the Airbus service bulletin is referred to as a ``detailed 
inspection.'' We have included the definition for a detailed inspection 
in a note in this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 25 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $3,250, or $130 
per airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have 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 that the 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. 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. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2004-19542; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-
282-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by December 6, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-622R 
airplanes, serial numbers 0797 and 0836; and Model A300 F4-622R 
airplanes, serial numbers 0805 through 0828 inclusive; certificated 
in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports that lower guide fittings 
for the forward doors were found installed in the wrong positions at 
frames 14 and 16A. We are issuing this AD to prevent difficulty 
opening the forward doors, which could impede an emergency 
evacuation and result in injury to passengers or crewmembers.
    Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions 
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (f) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do a one-time detailed inspection to determine if lower guide 
fittings for the forward doors are installed in the correct 
positions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6140, Revision 01, dated November 
24, 2003.
    (1) If the lower guide fittings are installed in the correct 
positions: No further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If any lower guide fitting is not installed in the correct 
position: Before further flight, re-install the lower guide fitting 
in the correct position, or replace the lower guide fitting with a 
new, improved guide fitting, as applicable, in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Issue of Service 
Bulletin

    (g) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-53-6140, dated June 12, 2003, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

No Reporting Requirement

    (h) The Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-53-6140, Revision 01, dated November 24, 2003, describe 
procedures for reporting inspection findings to the manufacturer. 
This AD does not require this.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) French airworthiness directive 2003-292(B), dated August 6, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 27, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24731 Filed 11-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P