[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28491-28495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9879]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19534; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-99-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series 
Airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, 
and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600); 
and Model A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

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

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus airplane models, as 
specified above. The original NPRM would have required modifying the 
thermal insulation system of certain fuselage frames, and modifying the 
fuselage drainage system. The original NPRM would also have required 
revising the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program to include 
inspections for corrosion or cracking in the subject areas. The 
original NPRM was prompted by reports of corrosion in the lower part of 
the pressure bulkhead at certain fuselage frames. This action revises 
the original NPRM by expanding the applicability to include additional 
airplanes. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent 
accumulation of condensation in the insulation blankets of certain 
fuselage frames, which could cause corrosion that could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and consequent rapid 
decompression of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by June 13, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this supplemental NPRM.
     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.

[[Page 28492]]

     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. This 
docket number is FAA-2004-19534; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-99-AD.

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

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this supplemental NPRM. Send your comments to an 
address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. 2000-FAA-19534; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-99-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this supplemental NPRM. 
We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this supplemental NPRM in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments submitted, 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 supplemental NPRM. 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.

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 in the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the 
AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) for an airworthiness directive (AD) (the ``original 
NPRM''). The original NPRM applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and 
B4 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series 
airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively 
called A300-600); and Model A310 series airplanes. The original NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2004 (69 FR 
64530). The original NPRM proposed to require modifying the thermal 
insulation system of certain fuselage frames, and modifying the 
fuselage drainage system. That action also proposed to require revising 
the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program to include inspections 
for corrosion or cracking in the subject areas.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been 
submitted on the original NPRM.

Request To Revise Applicability

    One commenter notes that the applicability statement of the 
original NPRM excludes airplanes on which Airbus Modification 5946 was 
done during production. The commenter states that this is incorrect. 
Airplanes modified in accordance with Airbus Modification 5946 should 
still be modified in accordance with Airbus Modification 8057. (Airbus 
Modification 8057 accomplishes the intent of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-53-0201, which would have been required by paragraph (f) of the 
original NPRM and would be required by this supplemental NPRM.) The 
commenter points out that the applicability statement should exclude 
only airplanes on which both Airbus Modifications 5946 and 8057 were 
done during production.
    We concur. We inadvertently omitted the reference to Airbus 
Modification 8057 from the applicability statement of the original 
NPRM. We have revised paragraph (c), Applicability, in this 
supplemental NPRM to exclude airplanes on which both Airbus 
Modifications 5946 and 8057 were done during production.

Request To Refer to Other Service Bulletin Revisions

    One commenter, the airplane manufacturer, notes that the original 
NPRM does not identify certain revisions of the referenced service 
bulletins that should be acceptable for compliance with the proposed 
actions. Paragraph (f) of the original NPRM refers to Airbus Service 
Bulletins A300-21-0116, Revision 02, dated June 13, 2003; A300-21-6025, 
Revision 01, dated June 13, 2003; A310-21-2041, Revision 02, dated June 
13, 2003; and A300-53-0201, Revision 04, dated May 2, 2003; as 
applicable sources of service information for certain actions required 
by that paragraph. The commenter observes that referencing additional 
service bulletin revisions would eliminate the need for operators to 
request an alternative method of compliance (AMOC). This table lists 
the additional service bulletins that the commenter suggests be 
included:

                                          Additional Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Revision
                Models                 Airbus service  bulletin     level                    Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4 series................  A300-21-116.............            1  March 24, 1992.
A300 B2 and B4 series................  A300-21-0116............           03  January 29, 2004.
A300-600.............................  A300-21-6025............           02  January 29, 2004.
A310 series..........................  A310-21-2041............            1  December 10, 1990.
A310 series..........................  A310-21-2041............           03  January 29, 2004.
A300 B2 and B4 series................  A300-53-0201............           05  July 15, 2004.
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[[Page 28493]]

    Another commenter requests that we revise paragraph (g) of the 
original NPRM to give credit for modifications to the fuselage drainage 
system that were accomplished before the effective date of the AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6008, Revision 02, 
dated August 10, 1989. (For Model A300-600 airplanes, paragraph (g) of 
the original NPRM gives credit for modifications done in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6008, Revision 03, dated November 
6, 1990; or Revision 04, dated April 28, 2003.) The commenter states 
that no technical changes to the drainage system in the area of 
fuselage frames 39 and 54 were made to Revision 02 of the service 
bulletin or later revisions.
    We concur with the commenters' requests. We have revised paragraph 
(f) of this supplemental NPRM to refer to the latest issues of the 
referenced service bulletins as the appropriate source of service 
information for the actions proposed by that paragraph. We have also 
revised paragraph (g) of this supplemental NPRM to give credit for 
actions accomplished previously in accordance with the service 
bulletins listed in the table below.

                                   Service Bulletins For Which We Give Credit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Airbus service bulletin--   Revision
               Models--                                             level                    Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4 series................  A300-21-116.............            1  March 24, 1992.
A300 B2 and B4 series................  A300-21-0116............           02  June 13, 2003.
A300 B2 and B4 series................  A300-53-0201............           04  May 2, 2003.
A300-600.............................  A300-21-6025............           01  June 13, 2003.
A300-600.............................  A300-53-6008............           02  August 10, 1989.
A300-600.............................  A300-53-6008............           03  November 6, 1990.
A300-600.............................  A300-53-6008............           04  April 28, 2003.
A310 series..........................  A310-21-2041............            1  December 10, 1990.
A310 series..........................  A310-21-2041............           02  June 13, 2003.
A310 series..........................  A310-53-2027............           02  November 6, 1990.
A310 series..........................  A310-53-2027............           03  May 2, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Request To Revise Airbus Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) Reference

    Two commenters request that we revise paragraph (h) of the original 
NPRM to correct references to certain tasks in the Airbus MPD. One 
commenter states that Task Number 541531-01-1 does not exist. The 
commenter states that the correct reference is to MPD Task Number 
531531-01-1, which describes detailed inspections of the lower bulkhead 
at frame 39. Another commenter notes that there is a reference in the 
same paragraph to MPD Task Number 538295-0603-01. The commenter states 
that the correct reference is to MPD Task Number 538295-0603-1.
    We concur with the commenter's request. The incorrect references 
were typographical errors. We have revised paragraph (h) of this 
supplemental NPRM accordingly.

FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    The change to the applicability statement discussed above expands 
the scope of the original NPRM; therefore, we have determined that it 
is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide additional 
opportunity for public comment on this supplemental NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                         Number of
                                                                             Cost per      U.S.-
            Action                  Models        Work hours     Parts       airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                                                                         airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modifying the Thermal          A300 B2/B4......            5         $567         $892           23      $20,516
 Insulation System.
Modifying the Thermal          A300 B4-600, B4-            4          567          827          116       95,932
 Insulation System.             600R, and F4-
                                600R series;
                                and A300 C4-
                                605R Variant F
                                (collectively
                                called A300-
                                600).
Modifying the Thermal          A310............            4          567          827           47       38,869
 Insulation System.
Modifying the Fuselage         A300 B2/B4......           38        1,857        4,327           23       99,521
 Drainage System.
Modifying the Fuselage         A300 B4-600, B4-           36        1,378        3,718          116      431,288
 Drainage System.               600R, and F4-
                                600R series;
                                and A300 C4-
                                605R Variant F
                                (collectively
                                called A300-
                                600).
Modifying the Fuselage         A310............           27        1,451        3,206           47      150,682
 Drainage System.
Maintenance Program Revision.  All.............            1         None           65          186       12,090
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[[Page 28494]]

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 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 supplemental NPRM. 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-2004-19534; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
99-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by June 13, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series 
airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, 
and C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600); and 
A310 series airplanes; certificated in any category; except those on 
which both Airbus Modifications 5946 and 8057 were done during 
production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion in the lower 
part of the pressure bulkhead at fuselage frames (FR) 39 and 54. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent accumulation of condensation in the 
insulation blankets of certain fuselage FRs, which could cause 
corrosion that could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
fuselage and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

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.

Modification of Thermal Insulation and Fuselage Drainage Systems

    (f) Within 22 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the thermal insulation system of applicable fuselage frames and 
modify the fuselage drainage system, by doing all actions in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletins 
specified in Table 1 of this AD.

                  Table 1.--Relevant Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       And modify the
                               Modify the thermal     fuselage drainage
     For Airbus models--      insulation according   system according to
                                to Airbus Service      Airbus Service
                                   Bulletin--            Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4 series.......  A300-21-0116,         A300-53-0201,
                               Revision 03, dated    Revision 05, dated
                               January 29, 2004.     July 15, 2004.
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4- A300-21-6025,         A300-53-6008,
 600R series; and A300 C4-     Revision 02, dated    Revision 05, dated
 605R Variant F                January 29, 2004.     July 15, 2004.
 (collectively called A300-
 600).
A310 series.................  A310-21-2041,         A310-53-2027,
                               Revision 03, dated    Revision 04, dated
                               January 29, 2004.     July 15, 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modifications Accomplished According to Previous Issues of Service 
Bulletins

    (g) Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD according to the service bulletins listed in Table 2 are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

                                     Table 2.--Additional Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Airbus Service
                 Models                        Bulletin        Revision                 Date level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4 series...................        A300-21-116            1  March 24, 1992.
A300 B2 and B4 series...................       A300-21-0116           02  June 13, 2003.
A300 B2 and B4 series...................       A300-53-0201           04  May 2, 2003.
A300-600................................       A300-21-6025           01  June 13, 2003.
A300-600................................       A300-53-6008           02  August 10, 1989.

[[Page 28495]]

 
A300-600................................       A300-53-6008           03  November 6, 1990.
A300-600................................       A300-53-6008           04  April 28, 2003.
A310 series.............................       A310-21-2041            1  December 10, 1990.
A310 series.............................       A310-21-2041           02  June 13, 2003.
A310 series.............................       A310-53-2027           02  November 6, 1990.
A310 series.............................       A310-53-2027           03  May 2, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maintenance Program Revision

    (h) Within 90 days after doing the actions required by paragraph 
(f) of this AD, or within 90 days after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever is later: Incorporate into the FAA-approved 
maintenance inspection program repetitive detailed inspections for 
corrosion or cracking of fuselage structure from FR 38.2 to 39, and 
at FR 54, as applicable, as described in Airbus Maintenance Planning 
Document Task Numbers 538295-0603-1 (for Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 
series airplanes), and 531531-01-1 and 531533-01-1 (for Airbus Model 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600); and Model A310 
series airplanes). Then, thereafter, comply with the applicable 
requirements.

    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.''

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 2003-317(B), dated August 20, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 11, 2005.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9879 Filed 5-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P