[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58352-58354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20063]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 193 / Thursday, October 6, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 58352]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22630; Directorate Identifier 2001-NM-323-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 Airbus Model A310-
200 and -300 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for 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 A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the trimmable 
horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA), corrective actions if necessary, 
and follow-on repetitive tasks. This proposed AD is prompted by reports 
of THSAs that have reached their design operational life. This 
operational life can be extended provided an initial inspection and 
follow-on repetitive tasks are accomplished. We are proposing this AD 
to extend the operational life of the THSA to prevent a possible 
failure of high-time units, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 7, 
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.

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-2005-22630; 
Directorate Identifier 2001-NM-323-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.

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 the FAA 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 Airbus Model A310-
200 and -300 series airplanes. The trimmable horizontal stabilizer 
actuator (THSA) on those airplanes was designed for an operational life 
of 47,000 total flight hours. The DGAC advises that some THSAs 
installed on those airplanes have reached this operational limit. The 
DGAC has mandated an inspection and maintenance program to maintain the 
THSA's design reliability objective beyond its original 47,000-total-
flight-hour operational life. The inspection and scheduled maintenance 
program of certain THSA components will allow an increase of the THSA's 
operational life limit, from 47,000 total flight hours to 65,000 total 
flight hours/40,000 total flight cycles. Failure of the THSA, if not 
corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A300-27-6044, Revision 04, 
dated September 10, 2001 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); and 
A310-27-2089, Revision 02, dated June 28, 2001

[[Page 58353]]

(for Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes). These service bulletins 
describe procedures for inspecting the THSA, and performing corrective 
actions and follow-on repetitive tasks as necessary. The procedures 
involve:
     A detailed inspection of the THSA screw shaft thread 
surface for chrome plate wear and corrosion, and replacement of a worn 
or corroded unit with a new or serviceable (refurbished) unit.
     A detailed inspection of the THSA lower claw stop for 
debonding between the rubber and the inner/outer ring; measurement of 
the relative displacement of the inner and outer claw stop rings; and 
replacement, with a new stop, of any stop that has exceeded specified 
limits.
     A detailed inspection of the THSA fail-safe tie bar for 
corrosion, and replacement of any corroded fail-safe tie bar with a new 
or serviceable (refurbished) unit.
    The repetitive tasks include:

                           Repetitive Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Repetitive
                                                               interval
                           Action                              (flight
                                                                hours)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Checking for external oil leakage..........................        1,200
Lubricating the ball screw nut.............................          600
Checking the magnetic chip detector........................        2,400
Inspecting the upper and lower attachments and ball screw..        2,000
Checking certain oil pumps and static torque...............        7,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After a THSA is replaced with a new or serviceable THSA, there is 
no need to do the repetitive tasks until 47,000 flight hours after the 
replacement.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Airbus service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive 2001-242(B), dated June 27, 2001, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    The Airbus service bulletins refer to ``Lucas Service Bulletin 
47142-27-11'' as an additional source of service information for the 
inspections. This document is actually identified as Goodrich Actuation 
Systems Service Bulletin 47142-27-11 (currently at Revision 3, dated 
April 25, 2005).

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 discussed below.

Difference Between Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

    The service bulletin specifies 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.

Clarification of Inspection Type

    The service bulletins do not specify the type of inspection that 
would be required by this proposed AD. We have determined that this 
inspection is a detailed inspection. Note 1 of this proposed AD defines 
a detailed inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Average                                                           Number of
            Action              Work hours   labor rate          Parts                Cost per airplane         U.S.-reg.            Fleet cost
                                              per hour                                                          airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................            3          $65  None required........  $195.........................          146  $28,470.
Repetitive follow-on tasks...           12           65  $0...................  $780, per inspection cycle...          146  $113,880, 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.

[[Page 58354]]

    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-2005-22630; Directorate Identifier 2001-NM-
323-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by November 7, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all of the following Airbus airplanes, 
certificated in any category:

Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes
Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes
Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes
Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes
Model A310-203, -204, -221, and -222 airplanes
Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of trimmable horizontal 
stabilizer actuators (THSAs) that have reached their design 
operational life. We are issuing this AD to extend the operational 
life of the THSA to prevent a possible failure of high-time units, 
which could result in 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.

Service Bulletin References

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the term ``service 
bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service bulletin identified in Table 
1 of this AD. The service bulletins refer to Goodrich Actuation 
Systems Service Bulletin 47142-27-11, Revision 3, dated April 25, 
2005, as an additional source of service information for the 
required actions.

                       Table 1.--Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Actions done
                                                          before the
                                                       effective date of
                                  Use Airbus Service   this AD are also
       For Airbus Model--             Bulletin--      acceptable if done
                                                      in accordance with
                                                        Airbus Service
                                                          Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and  A300-27-6044,       A300-27-6044,
 B4-622 airplanes; A300 B4-605R    Revision 04,        Revision 02,
 and B4-622R airplanes; A300 F4-   dated September     dated August 26,
 605R and F4-622R airplanes; and   10, 2001.           2000; or Revision
 A300 C4-605R Variant F                                03, dated June
 airplanes.                                            28, 2001.
A310-203, -204, -221, and -222    A310-27-2089,       A310-27-2089,
 airplanes; and A310-304, -322, -  Revision 02,        Revision 01,
 324, and -325 airplanes.          dated June 28,      dated August 8,
                                   2001.               2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspection

    (g) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or 
(g)(2) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of specified components 
of the THSA in accordance with paragraph E.(2)(a) of the applicable 
service bulletin. Repair any discrepancy before further flight in 
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its 
delegated agent).
    (1) If the flight hours accumulated on the THSA can be 
positively determined: Inspect before the accumulation of 47,000 
total flight hours on the THSA, or within 600 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (2) If the flight hours accumulated on the THSA cannot be 
positive determined: Inspect before the accumulation of 47,000 total 
flight hours on the airplane, or within 600 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.


    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.''

Follow-on Repetitive Tasks

    (h) After the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: 
Do the repetitive tasks in accordance with and at the times 
specified in paragraph E.(2)(b) of the service bulletin, as 
applicable, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. The 
repetitive tasks are valid only until the THSA operational life 
exceeds the first occurring of 65,000 flight hours or 40,000 flight 
cycles. Before operating the THSA beyond these extended life goals, 
the operator must replace the THSA with a new THSA, except as 
provided by paragraph (i) of this AD.

THSA Replacement

    (i) For any THSA, whether discrepant or not, that is replaced 
with a new THSA: Within 47,000 flight hours after the THSA is 
replaced, do the applicable tasks specified in paragraph E.(2)(a) of 
the applicable service bulletin. Thereafter repeat the tasks within 
the repetitive intervals specified in paragraph E.(2)(b) of the 
applicable service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) 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.
    (j)(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (k) French airworthiness directive 2001-242(B), dated June 27, 
2001, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20063 Filed 10-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P