[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26191-26194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4135]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22739; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-098-AD; 
Amendment 39-14583; AD 2006-09-12]
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 Model A310-200 and 
A310-300 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 series airplanes. 
This AD requires modifying the forward outflow valve of the pressure 
regulation subsystem. This AD results from a report of accidents 
resulting in injuries occurring on in-service airplanes when 
crewmembers forcibly initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against 
residual pressure, causing the doors to rapidly open. In these 
accidents, the buildup of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by 
the blockage of the outflow valve by an insulation blanket. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent an insulation blanket or other debris from 
being ingested into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the 
pressure regulation subsystem, which could lead to the inability to 
control cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight 
of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 8, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of June 8, 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 identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1622; 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 would apply to certain Airbus Model 
A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 series airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on October 20, 2005 (70 FR 61078). 
That NPRM proposed to require modifying the forward outflow valve of 
the pressure regulation subsystem.

Comments

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

Supportive Comments

    Airline Pilots Association International concurs with the intent 
and proposed language of the NPRM. The National Transportation Safety 
Board supports the proposed rulemaking.

Request To Include Revised Service Information

    Airbus asks that we change the NPRM to refer to Airbus Service 
Bulletins A300-53-6149 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes) and A310-
53-2121 (for Model A310-200 and A310-300 series airplanes), both 
Revision 01, both dated September 12, 2005, as additional sources of 
service information for accomplishing the modification. The NPRM refers 
to the original issue of the service bulletins as the acceptable 
sources of service information for accomplishing the proposed 
modification.
    We agree with the request. The procedures in Revision 01 of the 
referenced service bulletins are essentially the same as those in the 
original issue of the service bulletins. Accordingly, we have revised 
paragraph (f) of this AD to refer to Revision 01 of the service 
bulletins as the appropriate

[[Page 26192]]

source of service information for accomplishing the required 
modification. We have also added a statement to paragraph (f) that 
gives credit for modifications accomplished before the effective date 
of this AD per the original issue of the service bulletins.

Requests To Extend Compliance Time

    United Parcel Service (UPS) and American Airlines (AAL) ask that 
the compliance time for the modification specified in the NPRM be 
extended.
    UPS states that considering the safety improvement provided by AD 
2004-14-08, amendment 39-13717 (69 FR 41925, July 13, 2004), referenced 
in the NPRM in the ``Other Relevant Rulemaking'' section, the 
compliance time should be changed from 22 months to the next C-check 
maintenance visit or 30 months, whichever occurs later. UPS notes that 
this would allow the subject modification to be done during normal 
heavy maintenance.
    AAL states that compliance periods are based upon, among other 
factors, an analysis of the purported risk and an assessment of 
mitigating factors that may alter the scope of risk. AAL adds that it 
is the largest U.S. operator of the passenger version of the A300-600 
airplanes (34 airplanes), and notes that other significant U.S. 
operators are freight operators which carry only crew on their 
airplanes. All AAL airplanes were modified soon after identification of 
the unsafe condition; therefore, a significant portion of the risk was 
eliminated. AAL states that this mitigating action was not included in 
the analysis, and if included, the compliance time could be extended 
and would still achieve an equivalent level of airplane safety. AAL 
asks that the compliance time be extended to 36 months.
    We agree that the compliance time may be extended; we have 
reconsidered the urgency of the unsafe condition and the amount of work 
related to the required modification. Our reconsideration includes the 
data provided by AAL which show that it has accomplished the required 
modification on all its passenger airplanes, and that other affected 
airplanes are freight carriers, which operate at a lower risk level 
than passenger airplanes. We find that extending the compliance time 
from 22 to 36 months will not adversely affect safety, and, for the 
majority of affected operators, will allow the required modification to 
be performed during regularly scheduled maintenance at a base where 
special equipment and trained maintenance personnel will be available 
if necessary. We have changed the compliance time for accomplishing the 
modification required by paragraph (f) of this AD accordingly.

Request To Clarify Applicability

    Airbus asks that the applicability in the NPRM be changed for Model 
A310 series airplanes to match the effectivity of French airworthiness 
directive F-2005-061 R1, dated May 25, 2005. The French airworthiness 
directive includes airplanes on which Airbus Modification 3881 has been 
embodied in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-21-2012 has been 
embodied in service. The commenter states that this clarification in 
the scope of the applicability would be useful for operators of Model 
A310-200 and -300 series airplanes.
    We agree that the applicability in this AD should be changed to 
match the effectivity in the French airworthiness directive for Airbus 
Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. Therefore, we have changed 
paragraph (c) of this AD, for clarification, to specify that the AD 
applies to Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 3881 has been done in production or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-21-2012 has been done in service.

Request To Reference All Revised Service Bulletins

    AAL states that although the NPRM does not indicate compliance is 
required with a specific revision level of the service bulletin, 
subsequent revisions of the service bulletin that meet the intent of 
the NPRM should be included.
    We do not agree with the request. Approving revisions of service 
bulletins that have not yet been released would violate the Office of 
the Federal Register's (OFR) regulations for approving materials that 
are incorporated by reference. In general terms, we are required by 
these OFR regulations either to publish the service document contents 
as part of the actual AD language, or to submit the service document to 
the OFR for approval as ``referenced'' material, in which case we may 
only refer to such material in the text of an AD. The AD may refer to 
the service document only if the OFR has approved it for 
``incorporation by reference.'' To allow operators to use later 
revisions of a referenced document, we must either revise the AD to 
reference the specific later revisions, or operators may request 
approval to use later revisions as an alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC) with this AD. Operators may request approval of an AMOC for this 
AD under the provisions of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. We have made no 
change to the AD in this regard.

Request for Alternative Modification

    AAL asks that the alternative modification (installation of a 
larger outflow valve inlet screen) made to its fleet be included as one 
of the available compliance options in the final rule. AAL states that 
it took the initiative to redesign the outflow valve inlet screen on 
both the forward and aft outflow valves. AAL notes that the original 
screen can be completely covered with the single, standard-size 22-
inch-wide insulation blanket commonly found in close proximity to the 
valve. A cylindrical inlet screen was added between the original inlet 
screen and the outflow valve; the new design adds over 250 percent to 
the surface area and adds a critical third dimension to the screen 
shape. The increase in surface area ensures that if an insulation 
blanket were to become entangled in the outflow valve screen, the 
screen would be large enough to maintain adequate flow to prevent the 
buildup of cabin pressure.
    We do not agree with the request; the alternative modification is 
unique to AAL and therefore should not be included in the final rule. 
An AMOC is the appropriate avenue for approval of that method of 
compliance. In light of the above, we consider the requirements in this 
AD applicable to AAL airplanes until AAL obtains approval for an AMOC 
for this AD under the provisions of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. No 
change to the AD is necessary in this regard.

Request To Increase Work Hours

    AAL asks that the work hours specified to accomplish the 
modification be increased, and adds that the referenced service 
information shows the work hours necessary as 5.5 for each airplane, 
using two kits, but the NPRM estimates only 3 to 4 work hours per 
airplane.
    We do not agree to increase the work hours. The estimate of 5.5 
work hours specified in the service information includes time for 
gaining access and closing up. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking 
actions, however, typically does not include costs such as the time 
required to gain access and close up, time necessary for planning, or 
time necessitated by other administrative actions. Those incidental 
costs may vary significantly among operators and are almost impossible 
to calculate. We recognize that, in doing the actions required by an 
AD, operators may incur incidental costs in addition to the direct

[[Page 26193]]

costs. However, the estimate of 3 to 4 work hours, as specified in this 
AD, represents the time necessary to perform only the actions actually 
required by this AD. We have made no change to the AD in this regard.

Typographical Error

    AAL and UPS note that the service bulletin reference identified in 
the NPRM for Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes is incorrect. The 
NPRM referenced Airbus Service Bulletin A300-63-6149, but the correct 
reference is Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6149; the service bulletin 
reference has been corrected throughout this AD.

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 169 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
modification takes between 3 and 4 work hours per airplane, depending 
on airplane configuration, at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour. Required parts cost ranges between $120 and $420 per kit (2 kits 
per airplane). Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
modification required by this AD for U.S. operators ranges between 
$73,515 and $185,900 or between $435 and $1,100 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 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 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-09-12 Airbus: Amendment 39-14583. Docket No. FAA-2005-22739; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-098-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 8, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, 
B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R Variant 
F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and 
Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 3881 has been done in 
production or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-21-2012 has been done in 
service; certificated in any category; excluding airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 12921 has been done in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of accidents resulting in 
injuries occurring on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly 
initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure, 
causing the doors to rapidly open. In these accidents, the buildup 
of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by the blockage of the 
outflow valve by an insulation blanket. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent an insulation blanket or other debris from being ingested 
into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure 
regulation subsystem, which could lead to the inability to control 
cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight 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 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem by 
doing all the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6149 (for Model 
A300-600 series airplanes) or A310-53-2121 (for Model A310-200 and 
A310-300 series airplanes) both Revision 01 dated September 12, 
2005, as applicable. Accomplishing the modification before the 
effective date of this AD, in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-53-6149 or A310-53-2121, both dated February 25, 2005, 
as applicable, is acceptable for compliance with the modification in 
this paragraph.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(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 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

    (h) French airworthiness directive F-2005-061 R1, dated May 25, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6149, Revision 
01, dated September 12, 2005; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-
2121, Revision 01, dated September 12, 2005; as applicable; to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of these

[[Page 26194]]

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 a copy of this service information. 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 April 26, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4135 Filed 5-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P