[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 22, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36073-36075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12300]



[[Page 36073]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21611; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-234-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD would require inspecting for certain serial numbers on elevators, 
and doing a detailed inspection, visual inspection with a low-angle 
light, and tap-test inspection of the upper and lower surfaces of the 
external skins on certain identified elevators for any damage (i.e., 
debonding of the graphite fiber reinforced plastic/Tedlar film 
protection, bulges, debonding of the honeycomb core to the carbon fiber 
reinforced plastic, abnormal surface reflections, and torn-out plies), 
and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by 
reports of debonded skins on the elevators. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct debonding of the skins on the elevators, which could 
cause reduced structural integrity of an elevator and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 22, 2005.

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. This 
docket number is FAA-2005-21611; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-234-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2005-21611; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-234-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 website, 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 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 all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, 
and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called A300-600 series airplanes), and Model A310 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that there have been reports of debonding 
of the external Graphite Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP)/Tedlar film 
protection from the outer skin of the elevator upper panel; and of the 
honeycomb core from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) inner 
skin of the upper panel. The debonding was found during a maintenance 
inspection. The debonding of the external GFRP/Tedlar film protection 
can result in the presence of water inside the CFRP honeycomb core 
panel and consequent debonding of the honeycomb core. This condition, 
if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the elevator and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operator Telex (AOT) A300-600-55A6032, dated 
June 23, 2004 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); and AOT A310-
55A2033, dated June 23, 2004 (for Model A310 series airplanes). The 
AOTs describe procedures for determining the serial number of the 
elevator, doing repetitive detailed inspections, visual inspections 
with a low-angle light, and tap-test inspections of the upper and lower 
surfaces of the external skins on the identified elevators for any 
damage (i.e., debonding of the graphite GFRP/Tedlar film protection, 
bulges, debonding of the honeycomb core to the carbon fiber reinforced 
plastic, abnormal surface reflections, and torn-out plies), contacting 
Airbus for an alternative inspection if interested, and doing 
corrective actions. The tap-test inspections may involve using a manual 
hammer. The alternative inspection may involve a thermographic 
inspection (in lieu of the tap-test inspection). The corrective actions 
may involve replacing the GFRP/Tedlar film, reporting damage to Airbus, 
replacing the elevator, and replacing the honeycomb core. The DGAC 
mandated the service information

[[Page 36074]]

and issued French airworthiness directive F-2004-131(B), dated August 
4, 2004, 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. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA 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 described below in ``Differences 
Between this Proposed AD and the AOTs.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the AOTs

    The AOTs specify that you may contact the manufacturer for 
instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but this proposed AD 
would require you to repair those conditions using a method that we or 
the DGAC (or its delegated agent) approve. In light of the type of 
repair that would be required to address the unsafe condition, and 
consistent with existing bilateral airworthiness agreements, we have 
determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair we or the DGAC approve 
would be acceptable for compliance with this proposed AD.
    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced AOTs describe procedures for submitting 
inspection reports, this proposed AD would not require those actions. 
The FAA does not need this information from operators.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will 
address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this 
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may 
consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 172 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The proposed inspection for the serial number would take about 1 
work hour 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 $11,180, or $65 per airplane.
    The proposed detailed inspection, visual inspection with a low-
angle light, and tap-test inspection of the elevator would take about 3 
work hours per elevator (two elevators 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 $67,080, or $390 per 
airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 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-2005-21611; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
234-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by July 22, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 
series airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with carbon 
fiber elevators having part number (P/N) A55276055000 (left-hand 
side) or P/N A55276056000 (right-hand side).

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of debonded skins on the 
elevators. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct debonding of 
the skins on the elevators, which could cause reduced structural 
integrity of an elevator and reduced controllability 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.

Inspection for Serial Number, Repetitive Inspections, and Corrective 
Actions

    (f) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect to determine if the serial number (S/N) of the elevator is 
listed in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A300-600-55A6032, dated 
June 23, 2004 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or in Airbus 
AOT A310-55A2033, dated June 23, 2004 (for Model A310 series 
airplanes).

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    (1) If the S/N does not match any S/N on either AOT S/N list, no 
further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If the S/N matches a S/N listed in an AOT, before further 
flight, do the actions listed in Table 1 of this AD, and any 
corrective action as applicable in accordance with Airbus AOT A300-
600-55A6032, dated June 23, 2004; or in Airbus AOT A310-55A2033, 
dated June 23, 2004. Repeat the inspections at intervals not to 
exceed 600 flight hours. Do applicable corrective actions before 
further flight.

                    Table 1.--Repetitive Inspections
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            Do a--                   Of the--            For any--
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Detailed inspection...........  Elevator upper     Damage (i.e., breaks
                                 and lower          in the graphite
                                 external skin      fiber reinforced
                                 surfaces.          plastic (GFRP)/
                                                    Tedlar film
                                                    protection, debonded
                                                    GFRP/Tedlar film
                                                    protection, bulges,
                                                    torn-out plies).
Visual inspection with a low-   Elevator upper     Differences in the
 angle light.                    and lower          surface reflection.
                                 external skin
                                 surfaces.
Tap-test inspection...........  Upper and lower    Honeycomb core that
                                 external skin      has debonded from
                                 surfaces of the    the carbon fiber
                                 honeycomb core     reinforced plastic
                                 panels in the      (CFRP).
                                 elevator.
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    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 
mirrors magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Repair Approval

    (g) Where the service bulletin says to contact the manufacturer 
for repair instructions, or an alternative inspection method: Before 
further flight, repair or do the alternative inspection method 
according to a method approved by either the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the 
Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its 
delegated agent).

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no carbon fiber 
elevator having part number (P/N) A55276055000 (left-hand side) or 
P/N A55276056000 (right-hand side) may be installed on any airplane 
unless it is inspected according to paragraph (f) of this AD.

No Reporting Required

    (i) Although the AOTs referenced in this AD specify to submit 
inspection reports to the manufacturer, this AD does not include 
that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

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

Related Information

    (k) French airworthiness directive F-2004-131, dated August 4, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12300 Filed 6-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P