[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 77 (Friday, April 21, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20599-20602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5986]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24522; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and -300, and 
A340-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 20600]]

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300, and A340-200 and -300 
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying certain 
rotary actuator assemblies for the leading edge slat. This proposed AD 
results from a leak found at the seal of the torque limiter output 
shaft of the Type A rotary actuator of leading edge slat No. 1. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent a decrease in the torque limiter function, 
which could result in degradation and damage to the attachment bolts of 
the leading edge slat, loss of the slat, and consequent reduced control 
of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 22, 2006.

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.
     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 the service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24522; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-002-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 received 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 
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.

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 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 Docket Management System 
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 certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300, 
and A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. The DGAC advises of a leak at 
the seal of the torque limiter output shaft of the Type A rotary 
actuator assembly of leading edge slat No. 1. The leak was found during 
a scheduled maintenance check. Investigation revealed that the parts of 
the torque limiter were contaminated with grease; the grease migrated 
from the power gear stage. The grease migration was possible only after 
re-greasing, as the quantity of grease used during production is 
insufficient to migrate to the torque limiter. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in a decrease in the torque limiter function, 
which could result in degradation and damage to the attachment bolts of 
the leading edge slat, loss of the slat, and consequent reduced control 
of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-27-3100, Revision 01 (for 
Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes), and A340-27-4106, Revision 
01 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes), both dated May 23, 
2005. The service bulletins describe procedures for modifying certain 
rotary actuator assemblies for the leading edge slat.
    Airbus has also issued Service Bulletins A330-27-3105, Revision 02 
(for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes), and A340-27-4110, 
Revision 02 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes), both dated 
October 10, 2005. The service bulletins describe an alternate procedure 
for modifying any rotary actuator assembly for the leading edge slat 
having part number 954B0000-01.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletins 
A330-27-3100, A330-27-3105, A340-27-4106, and A340-27-4110, as 
applicable, is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
    Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3100, A330-27-3105, A340-27-4106, 
and A340-27-4110 refer to Goodrich Actuation Systems Service Bulletins 
954-27-M954-06, Revision 2, dated May 20, 2004, and 954-27-M954-07, 
Revision 2, dated August 9, 2004, as additional sources of service 
information for modifying the rotary actuator assembly for the leading 
edge slat.
    The DGAC mandated the Airbus Service information, and issued French 
airworthiness directives F-2005-067 and F-2005-068, both dated April 
27, 2005, 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 
Sec.  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 airplanes 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 Airbus Service Bulletins A330-
27-3100, A330-27-3105, A340-27-4106, and A340-27-4110, described 
previously, except as discussed under Differences Among the

[[Page 20601]]

Proposed AD, French Airworthiness Directives, and Airbus Service 
Bulletins A330-27-3100 and A340-27-4106.

Differences Among the Proposed AD, French Airworthiness Directives, and 
Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3100 and A340-27-4106

    Related French airworthiness directives 2003-121 and 2003-122 
(superseded by the French airworthiness directives referenced in this 
proposed AD), require an inspection of the torque limiter for grease 
contamination if maintenance review board (MRB) Task 27.80.00-07 
(lubrication of slats rotary actuators to be done every 5 years) has 
been done after delivery, and suspending the MRB task from the operator 
maintenance program for airplanes having rotary actuators with affected 
part numbers (P/Ns). Those P/Ns are identified in paragraph 3.3 of 
French airworthiness directives F-2005-067 and F-2005-068. The FAA 
coordinated with U.S. Airways (the only affected U.S. operator of 
airplanes without Airbus Modification 50138 installed in production), 
and confirmed that the MRB task had not been done, and that the task 
was removed from the U.S. Airways maintenance program for those P/Ns. 
Therefore, the FAA did not take AD action corresponding to French 
airworthiness directives 2003-121 and 2003-122, which was coordinated 
with Airbus and the DGAC.
    Subsequently, French airworthiness directives F-2005-067 and F-
2005-068 were issued to continue the requirements in French 
airworthiness directives 2003-121 and 2003-122, and include new 
requirements to modify the slat rotary actuator assembly to remove the 
source of the problem, rather than by repetitive inspections. The 
number of affected U.S.-registered airplanes has not changed, and the 
proposed AD specifies accomplishing the modification, as required by 
paragraph 3.3 of the referenced French airworthiness directives.
    Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3100 recommends concurrently 
accomplishing Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3104, and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-27-4106 recommends concurrently accomplishing Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-27-4109. Those are inspection service bulletins 
required by paragraph 3.1 of the referenced French airworthiness 
directives, and for the reasons stated above, the inspections in those 
service bulletins are not required by this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 9 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed modification (including operational test) would take about 
4 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work 
hour. Required parts would be free of charge. Based on these figures, 
the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $2,880, or 
$320 per airplane.

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 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-2006-24522; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
002-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by May 22, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, 202, -203, -223, 
and -243; A330-301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343; A340-
211, -212, and -213; and A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 50138 was done during production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a leak found at the seal of the torque 
limiter output shaft of the Type A rotary actuator of leading edge 
slat No. 1. We are issuing this AD to prevent a decrease in the 
torque limiter function, which could result in degradation and 
damage to the attachment bolts of the leading edge slat, loss of the 
slat, and consequent reduced control 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

    (f) Within 38 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
any Type A rotary actuator assembly for the leading edge slat having 
part number (P/N) 954A0000-01 or -02, or P/N 954B0000-01, as 
applicable, by doing all the applicable actions in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-
3100, Revision 01, dated May 23, 2005; or A340-27-4106, Revision 01, 
dated May 23, 2005; as applicable.
    (g) Modification of any Type A rotary actuator assembly for the 
leading edge slat having P/N 954B0000-01, in accordance with

[[Page 20602]]

Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3105 or A340-27-4110, both Revision 
02, both dated October 10, 2005; as applicable; is acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding modification specified in 
paragraph (f) of this AD.

    Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3100 and A340-27-4106 
refer to Goodrich Actuation Systems Service Bulletin 954-27-M954-07, 
Revision 2, dated August 9, 2004; and Airbus Service Bulletins A330-
27-3105 and A340-27-4110 refer to Goodrich Actuation Systems Service 
Bulletin 954-27-M954-06, Revision 2, dated May 20, 2004; as 
additional sources of service information for modifying the rotary 
actuator assembly for the leading edge slat.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no Type A rotary 
actuator assembly for the leading edge slat having part number 
954A0000-01, -02, or 954B0000-01 may be installed unless the part 
has been modified in accordance with the actions required by 
paragraph (f) or (g) of this AD, as applicable.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (i) Modifications done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3100, dated October 
30, 2002; A330-27-3105, dated October 30, 2002, or Revision 01, 
dated March 27, 2003; A340-27-4106, dated October 30, 2002; or A340-
27-4110, dated October 30, 2002, or Revision 01, dated March 27, 
2003; as applicable; are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding requirements of paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD, as 
applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) 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.
    (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.

Related Information

    (k) French airworthiness directives F-2005-067 and F-2005-068, 
both dated April 27, 2005, also address the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 13, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-5986 Filed 4-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P