[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15084-15087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4406]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19566; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-72-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

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

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier supplemental NPRM for an 
airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus airplanes 
as listed above. The first supplemental NPRM would have required 
repetitively inspecting for cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the 
inner flap on the wings, and performing related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary. The original NPRM resulted from 
reports of cracking in the web of nose rib 7 of the inner flap. This 
action revises the first supplemental NPRM by requiring eventual 
replacement of nose rib 7 with a new, improved rib, which would 
terminate the proposed inspections. This action also removes from the 
applicability airplanes on which the improved nose rib 7 was installed 
during production. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent 
cracking in the web of nose rib 7, which could result in rupture of the 
attachment fitting between the inner flap and flap track 2, and 
consequent reduced structural integrity of the flap.

DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by April 21, 
2006.

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.
     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.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1622; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number 
``Docket No. FAA-2004-19566; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-72-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 that 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

[[Page 15085]]

Examining the Docket

    You may 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 Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

    We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for an airworthiness directive (AD) (the 
``first supplemental NPRM''). The first supplemental NPRM applies to 
all Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes; and Model A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). 
The first supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
September 15, 2005 (70 FR 54486). The first supplemental NPRM proposed 
to require repetitively inspecting for cracking in the web of nose rib 
7 of the inner flap on the wings, and performing related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary.
    The first supplemental NPRM specified that, if any cracking is 
found, nose rib 7 must be replaced with a reinforced rib having 
increased flange thickness and new shape. However, subsequent flight 
testing of this reinforced rib revealed that further reinforcement of 
nose rib 7 was necessary.

Relevant Service Information

    Since the preparation of the first supplemental NPRM, Airbus has 
issued Service Bulletins A300-57-0245 (for Model A300 B2 and B4 series 
airplanes) and A300-57-6100 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes), both 
Revision 01, dated March 9, 2006. These service bulletins state that 
they supersede Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-0242 and A300-57-6097, 
respectively, both dated December 18, 2003. (The first supplemental 
NPRM referred to Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-0242 and A300-57-6097 
as the acceptable source of service information for the proposed 
related investigative and corrective actions.)
    Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-0245 and A300-57-6100 describe 
procedures for replacing nose rib 7 with a new, improved rib. This is 
the corrective action if any crack is found in the vertical stiffeners 
or the horizontal flanges of nose rib 7. But, in addition, the service 
bulletin recommends eventual replacement of nose rib 7 on all 
airplanes, regardless of whether cracking is found.
    Among other things, the new, improved rib has an increased web 
thickness, thicker vertical stiffeners in a modified position, radius 
instead of chamfer on hinge lug edges, and thicker lug bases. The 
procedures for the replacement include doing related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary. The related investigative actions 
include an inspection for any damage of the bearing assembly of the lug 
of nose rib 7, and high-frequency eddy current inspections or detailed 
visual inspections, as applicable, to detect cracking in fastener holes 
and in the upper radii of the skin flanges of the ribs and front spar. 
If any damage or cracking is found during these inspections, the 
service bulletins specify contacting Airbus.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The Direction 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, mandated the service information 
and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-198, dated December 7, 
2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France. The effectivity of French airworthiness directive F-2005-198 
excludes airplanes on which the new service information or the related 
production modifications have been done.

FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    The changes discussed above expand 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.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    In this supplemental NPRM, the ``detailed visual inspection''' 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-0245 and A300-57-6100 is 
referred to as a ``detailed inspection.'' We have included the 
definition for a detailed inspection in a note in this supplemental 
NPRM.

Differences Among the Supplemental NPRM, French Airworthiness 
Directive, and Relevant Service Information

    Unlike the procedures described in the service information and 
French airworthiness directive, this supplemental NPRM would not permit 
further flight if any crack is detected in nose rib 7 of the inner 
flap. We have determined that, because of the safety implications and 
consequences associated with that cracking, the nose rib must be 
replaced and all applicable related investigative/corrective actions 
must be done before further flight after the crack finding.
    The service information specifies that you may contact the 
manufacturer for instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but 
this supplemental NPRM 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 
that we or the DGAC approve would be acceptable for compliance with 
this proposed AD.
    The applicability of the French airworthiness directive excludes 
airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0245 or A300-57-6100 
was accomplished in service. However, we have not excluded those 
airplanes in the applicability of this supplemental NPRM; rather, this 
supplemental NPRM includes a requirement to accomplish the actions 
specified in the applicable service bulletin. This requirement would 
ensure that the actions specified in the applicable service bulletin 
and that would be required by this proposed AD are accomplished on all 
affected airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the airplane in 
the configuration required by this proposed AD unless an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC) is approved.
    Also, the service information and the French airworthiness 
directive specify reporting inspection findings to Airbus. This 
supplemental NPRM would not require that action.
    These differences have been coordinated with the DGAC.

Explanation of Removal of Interim Action

    In the first supplemental NPRM, we explain that we considered the 
action interim because the manufacturer was currently developing a 
modification that would address the unsafe condition

[[Page 15086]]

identified in this AD. As we explained previously, since we prepared 
the first supplemental NPRM, Airbus has developed a new, improved nose 
rib 7. Installing the new, improved rib is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition. Thus, this second supplemental NPRM is no 
longer considered interim action.

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.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                  Number of
                                                                      Cost per      U.S.-
             Action                Work hours         Parts           airplane    registered      Fleet cost
                                                                                  airplanes
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Inspection, per inspection cycle            3  None...............         $195          143  $27,885, per
                                                                                               inspection cycle.
Rib replacement.................           10  $10,980............       11,630          143  $1,663,090.
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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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2004-19566; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
72-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 21, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, 
B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, B4-203, B4-601, B4-603, B4-605R, B4-620, B4-
622, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes; 
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus 
Modification 13031 or 19575 was accomplished in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the web of 
nose rib 7 of the inner flap. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
cracking in the web of nose rib 7, which could result in rupture of 
the attachment fitting between the inner flap and flap track 2, and 
consequent reduced structural integrity of the flap.

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.

Inspections

    (f) Do a detailed inspection, using a borescope or endoscope, 
for cracking of the vertical stiffeners, and of the horizontal 
flanges between the stiffeners, of nose rib 7 of the inner flap of 
the left- and right-hand wings; and do an eddy current inspection to 
detect cracking in the horizontal flanges of the attachment lug root 
of nose rib 7 of the inner flap of the left- and right-hand wings; 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-57-0240 or A300-57-6095, both Revision 01, both dated 
December 2, 2004, as applicable. Do the initial inspections at the 
applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) 
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.''

    (1) For airplanes on which nose rib 7 has not been replaced in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0242 or A300-57-
6097, both dated December 18, 2003: Do the initial inspections at 
the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii) 
of this AD.
    (i) For airplanes with 18,599 or fewer total flight cycles as of 
the effective date of this AD: Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 
total flight cycles, or within 1,000 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is later.

[[Page 15087]]

    (ii) For airplanes with 18,600 or more total flight cycles as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 500 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which nose rib 7 has been replaced in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0242 or A300-57-
6097, both dated December 18, 2003: Do the initial inspection within 
5,000 flight cycles after accomplishing the replacement, or within 
1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
is later.

No Crack Found: Repetitive Inspections

    (g) If no crack is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD: Repeat the inspection at intervals not to 
exceed 1,000 flight cycles, until the terminating action in 
paragraph (i) of this AD is completed.

Crack Found: Related Investigative/Corrective Actions

    (h) If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (f) or (g) of this AD: Before further flight, replace nose 
rib 7 with a new, improved rib and do all related investigative 
actions and applicable corrective actions in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0245, 
Revision 01, or A300-57-6100, Revision 01, both dated March 9, 2006, 
as applicable, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. This 
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD for the modified flaps only.

Terminating Action

    (i) Within 5,000 flight cycles or 36 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is first: Replace nose rib 7 with a new, 
improved rib and do all related investigative actions and applicable 
corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0245, Revision 01, 
or A300-57-6100, Revision 01, both dated March 9, 2006, as 
applicable, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. This 
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD.

Repairing Per the FAA or Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC)

    (j) If any crack or damage is found for which the applicable 
service bulletin specifies to contact Airbus: Before further flight, 
repair per a method approved by either the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated 
agent).

No Reporting Required

    (k) Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57-0240 and A300-57-6095, both 
Revision 01, both dated December 2, 2004, specify to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer, but this AD does not include that 
requirement.

Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Initial Issue of Service 
Bulletins

    (l) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0245 or A300-57-
6100, both dated August 31, 2005, are acceptable for compliance with 
the requirements of paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(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 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

    (n) French airworthiness directive F-2005-198, dated December 7, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 14, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-4406 Filed 3-24-06; 8:45 am]
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