[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