[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 250 (Friday, December 30, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77307-77310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24527]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22148; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-033-AD; 
Amendment 39-14437; AD 2005-26-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 Series 
Airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and C4-
605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series 
Airplanes); and Airbus Model A310-200 and A310-300 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series 
airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive visual inspections to 
detect corrosion on the lower rim area of the fuselage rear pressure 
bulkhead; and follow-on actions, if necessary. This new AD requires new 
repetitive inspections for corrosion on the rear pressure bulkhead 
between stringer (STGR) 27 (right hand) and STGR27 (left hand), and 
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also 
requires sending a report of certain information to the manufacturer. 
The AD also adds airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. 
This AD results from findings of severe corrosion on airplanes 
previously inspected in accordance with the existing AD. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct corrosion at the lower rim area of the 
fuselage rear pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the bulkhead, and consequent decompression of 
the cabin.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 3, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of February 3, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information related to Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes identified in this AD. Contact Jacques Leborgne, Airbus 
Customer Service Directorate, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France; fax (+33) 5 61 93 36 14, for service information 
related to Airbus Model A300 identified in this 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:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 98-19-22, amendment 39-
10763 (63 FR 49656, September 17, 1998). The existing AD applies to 
certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on August 22, 2005 (70 FR 48911). 
That NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for corrosion on 
the rear pressure bulkhead between stringer (STGR) 27 (right hand) and 
STGR27 (left hand), and related investigative/corrective actions if 
necessary; and sending a report of certain information to the 
manufacturer.

Comments

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

Request To Reference Latest Issue of Service Bulletin

    The commenter states that Airbus has revised Service Bulletin A300-
53-6136, dated October 27, 2004, which was referenced as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
proposed actions for certain Airbus airplanes. The commenter points out 
that this service bulletin is now at Revision 01, dated July 18, 2005. 
The commenter states that Revision 01 of Service Bulletin A300-53-6136 
corrects the flow chart in Figure 1 of the service bulletin by changing 
the sequence of certain inspections, removes information in a flag 
note, and removes the replacement of titanium fasteners in certain 
circumstances. The commenter recommends that we reference Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-53-6136, Revision 01, and that we also give 
credit for actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the original issue of this service bulletin.
    We agree with the commenter. We have revised Table 1 of the AD to 
refer to Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6136, Revision 01, dated July 
18, 2005. In addition, the other service bulletins referenced in the 
NPRM have also been revised. (Airbus Service Bulletins A300-53-0363 and 
A310-53-2114, both dated October 27, 2004, were referenced as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
proposed actions for certain other Airbus airplanes.) The additional 
new revisions are Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0363, Revision 01, 
dated June 10, 2005; and Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2114, Revision 
01, dated September 1, 2005. The revised service bulletins change the 
compliance of the service bulletin from ``recommended'' to 
``mandatory,'' and amend the effectivity. None of the revisions 
increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of 
the AD. We have also added a new paragraph (j) to the AD to give credit 
to operators that have accomplished the actions in accordance with the 
original issue of the service bulletins.

Request To Give Credit for Actions Accomplished Previously

    The commenter requests that we ensure that operators of airplanes 
on which the proposed inspections were done before the effective date 
of the AD be given credit for inspections accomplished before that 
date. The commenter states that, as defined in paragraph (g) of the 
NPRM, operators that had previously accomplished the inspections would 
be forced to re-accomplish the inspections within 18

[[Page 77308]]

months after the effective date of the AD. The commenter requests that 
the AD allow credit for any inspection done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-53-6136, either the original issue or Revision 
01, prior to the effective date of the AD, and that the repetitive 
interval be measured from the initial inspection, or 18 months after 
the effective date of the AD, whichever is later.
    We partially agree with the commenter. We agree that operators 
should be given credit for actions accomplished previously in 
accordance with approved service bulletins. We do not agree that it is 
necessary to change the AD to give credit. Paragraph (e) of the AD 
states, ``You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.'' It is possible that on some airplanes the 
actions were done before the effective date of this AD. On these 
airplanes, these actions are not required to be repeated, as allowed by 
the phrase, ``unless the actions have already been done,'' provided the 
inspections were performed at the same level of complexity and using 
equipment comparable to that specified for the detailed and special 
detailed inspections, as applicable, defined in Note 1 and Note 2 of 
this AD. If the initial inspection has already been done, then the 
repetitive intervals are measured from the date of completion of the 
initial inspection. However, any action that has not been accomplished 
on these airplanes must be done at the time specified in the AD. We 
have not changed the AD in this regard. Operators may apply for an 
approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance 
with the provisions in paragraph (k) of this AD.

Request To Remove Redundant Reporting Paragraph

    The commenter states that the requirement to report corrosion in 
paragraph (i) of the NPRM is redundant to the current mandatory 
reporting requirements in Section 121.703 (``Mechanical reliability 
reports'') of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 121.703); and 
the future requirements in Section 121.704 (``Service difficulty 
reports (structural)'') of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
121.704). The commenter points out that paragraph (g) of the NPRM 
already says, ``Do any applicable investigative and corrective actions 
before further flight in accordance with the applicable service 
bulletin.'' The commenter states that this statement mandates that the 
service bulletin be followed verbatim, which includes the reporting 
requirement. The commenter further states that paragraph (h) of the 
NPRM ensures that the FAA will be aware of findings because that 
paragraph specifies that if the service bulletin recommends contacting 
Airbus for repair instructions, the repair must instead be approved by 
the FAA. Considering all these methods of reporting information, the 
commenter states that Airbus, the FAA, and the Direction 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, will have adequate data to 
determine the extent of corrosion problems in the affected fleet 
without the report in paragraph (i) of the NPRM. Therefore, the 
commenter requests that the reporting requirement in paragraph (i) be 
removed from the AD.
    We disagree with the commenter. Paragraph (i) of the NPRM specifies 
sending the results of the inspection findings to Airbus, whereas the 
cited Federal Aviation Regulations specify to send such reports to the 
FAA. As stated in the NPRM, the intent of the reports is to enable 
Airbus to obtain better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of 
the corrosion, and to develop a final action to address the unsafe 
condition; at which time we may consider further rulemaking.
    In addition, although paragraph (g) of the NPRM specifies to do all 
``related investigative and corrective actions'' in accordance with the 
service bulletin, the report is neither an investigative nor a 
corrective action. However, if the report were interpreted to be either 
an investigative or a corrective action, and was therefore required in 
accordance with paragraph (g), then the report also would be required 
to be done before further flight, which would ground an airplane until 
the report was submitted. The report in paragraph (i) of the NPRM does 
not have to be submitted until 30 days after the inspection.
    Finally, we do not require reports in ADs unless we find that the 
information is necessary for us, the affected airworthiness authority, 
or the manufacturer to assess the unsafe condition. The Paperwork 
Reduction Act requires agencies to consider the extent of the paperwork 
burden that will accompany any new rule. This Act is intended to reduce 
these burdens by requiring agencies not only to analyze the information 
collection and reporting costs they are imposing on the private sector, 
but to use those analyses to minimize the cost. Therefore, it is our 
practice to specify when the reports are required, and also to identify 
when a service bulletin contains a report that is not a requirement of 
the AD.
    We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Clarification of AMOC Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments that have been received, and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Clarification of Service Bulletin Dates

    Revision 01 of Airbus Service Bulletins A300-53-6136, A300-53-0363, 
and A310-53-2114, refer to the original issues of those service 
bulletins as being dated November 1, 2004. However, the date printed on 
the original issue of those service bulletins is October 27, 2004. We 
have changed the referenced dates for these service bulletins to 
October 27, 2004.

Interim Action

    This AD is considered to be interim action. The reports that are 
required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain better 
insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the corrosion, and 
eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe condition. 
Once final action has been identified, we may consider further 
rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 190 airplanes of U.S. registry. The new 
actions take about 10 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate 
of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
new actions specified in this AD for U.S. operators is $123,500, or 
$650 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

[[Page 77309]]

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-10763 (63 FR 49656, September 17, 1998) and by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-26-16 Airbus: Amendment 39-14437. Docket No. FAA-2005-22148; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-033-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 3, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 98-19-22.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all airplanes identified in Table 1 of 
this AD, certificated in any category.

             Table 1.--Airbus Airplanes Affected by This AD
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                                              As identified in Airbus
               Airbus model                      Service Bulletin--
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A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C,  A300-53-0363, Revision 01,
 B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes.              dated June 10, 2005.
A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-   A300-53-6136, Revision 01,
 605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-   dated July 18, 2005.
 605R Variant F airplanes.
A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -  A310-53-2114, Revision 01,
 324, and -325 airplanes.                   dated September 1, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from findings of severe corrosion on 
airplanes previously inspected in accordance with the existing AD. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion at the lower 
rim area of the fuselage rear pressure bulkhead, which could result 
in reduced structural integrity of the bulkhead, and consequent 
decompression of the cabin.

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 Reference

    (f) For the purposes of this AD, the term ``service bulletin'' 
means the accomplishment instructions of the applicable service 
bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD.

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 60 months since the date of issuance of the original 
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness; or within 18 months 
after the effective date of this AD; whichever is later: Do the 
detailed inspection, special detailed inspections, and any 
applicable eddy current and x-ray inspection, for corrosion on the 
rear pressure bulkhead between stringer (STGR) 27 (right hand) and 
STGR27 (left hand) in accordance with the service bulletin, and 
repeat these inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 36 
months. Do any applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions before further flight in accordance with the service 
bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.


    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.''



    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed 
inspection is: ``An intensive examination of a specific item, 
installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or 
irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of 
specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate 
cleaning and substantial access or disassembly procedure may be 
required.''


    (h) If any corrosion damage or crack is found during any 
inspection or corrective action required by this AD, and the service 
bulletin recommends contacting Airbus for repair instructions: 
Before further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved 
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA.

Reporting

    (i) Submit a report of corrosion found during the inspections 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD to SE-A21, Airbus Customer 
Service Directorate, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) 
or (i)(2) of this AD. The report must include the inspection type, a 
description of any corrosion found, the airplane serial number, and 
the number of landings and flight hours on the airplane. Under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements contained in this AD and has 
assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective 
date of this AD: Submit

[[Page 77310]]

the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Revisions of Service 
Bulletins

    (j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletins A300-53-0363, dated October 
27, 2004; A300-53-6136, dated October 27, 2004; or A310-53-2114, 
dated October 27, 2004; as applicable; are acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously according to AD 98-19-22 are not 
approved as AMOCs for this AD.

Related Information

    (l) French airworthiness F-2004-193, dated December 22, 2004, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use the service bulletins in Table 2 of this AD to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.

              Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Airbus service bulletin    Revision level             Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-53-0363................              01  June 10, 2005.
A300-53-6136................              01  July 18, 2005.
A310-53-2114................              01  September 1, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation 
by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for service information related to 
Airbus Model A310 series airplanes identified in this AD. Contact 
Jacques Leborgne, Airbus Customer Service Directorate, 1 Rond Point 
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; fax (+33) 5 61 93 36 
14, for service information related to Airbus Model A300 identified 
in this AD. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 19, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-24527 Filed 12-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P