[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 120 (Thursday, June 22, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35789-35792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5548]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24246; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-115-AD; 
Amendment 39-14661; AD 2006-13-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-
200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes; and Model A340-541 and A340-642 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series 
airplanes; and Model A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes. This AD requires 
an inspection for anti-fretting material contamination of the Halon 
filters and plumbing parts of the flow metering system (FMS) and flow 
metering compact unit (FMCU) in the lower deck cargo compartment (LDCC) 
and bulk crew rest compartment (BCRC), as applicable; other specified 
actions; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a 
report that the FMS and FMCU of the fire extinguishing system may be 
blocked by anti-fretting material contamination. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent such anti-fretting material contamination, which could 
reduce the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher system to discharge 
fire extinguishing agents and to lower the concentration of Halon gas 
in the LDCC or BCRC in a timely manner. An ineffective fire 
extinguisher system in the event of a fire could result in an 
uncontrollable fire in the LDCC or BCRC.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 27, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 27, 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,

[[Page 35790]]

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 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:

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 all Airbus Model A330-
200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-
541 and A340-642 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on March 28, 2006 (71 FR 15354). That NPRM proposed to require 
an inspection for anti-fretting material contamination of the Halon 
filters and plumbing parts of the flow metering system (FMS) and flow 
metering compact unit (FMCU) in the lower deck cargo compartment (LDCC) 
and bulk crew rest compartment (BCRC), as applicable; other specified 
actions; and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

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

Request To Revise the Applicability

    Airbus requests that Model A330-302 and -303 airplanes be included 
in the applicability of paragraph (c)(2) of the NPRM. Airbus states 
that those airplanes are in the process of being U.S. type 
certificated.
    We agree. We have determined that Model A330-302 and -303 airplanes 
are subject to the identified unsafe condition of this AD. Therefore, 
we have revised the applicability of paragraph (c)(2) and Table 2 and 3 
of this AD to include those airplanes to ensure that the identified 
unsafe condition is addressed if any of those affected airplanes are 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Request To Refer To Correct Modification Number

    Airbus requests that Airbus modification ``49316'' specified in 
paragraph (i)(1) of Table 4 of the NPRM be changed to ``49136.'' Airbus 
states Airbus modification 49316 addresses the landing gear and 
hydraulic hoses, which are not addressed by the NPRM, whereas Airbus 
modification 49136 addresses the BCRC, which is addressed by the NPRM.
    We agree and have revised paragraph (i)(1) of Table 4 of the AD 
accordingly.

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. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Average                                          Number of
                                                                     labor                                             U.S.-
                Action                          Work hours          rate per    Parts        Cost per airplane      registered         Fleet cost
                                                                      hour                                           airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and restoration............  Between 7 and 9 depending        $65       None  Between $455 and $585              25  Between $11,375 and
                                         on airplane                                      depending on airplane                  $14,625 depending on
                                         configuration.                                   configuration.                         airplane configuration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 35791]]

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):

2006-13-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-14661. Docket No. FAA-2006-24246; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-115-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 27, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes in table 1 of this AD; 
certificated in any category.

                      Table 1.--Affected Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           All Airbus Model--;
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(1) A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes.
(2) A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343
 airplanes.
(3) A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes.
(4) A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes.
(5) A340-541 airplanes.
(6) A340-642 airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that the flow metering system 
(FMS) and the flow metering compact unit (FMCU) of the fire 
extinguishing system may be blocked by anti-fretting material 
contamination. We are issuing this AD to prevent such anti-fretting 
material contamination, which could reduce the effectiveness of the 
fire extinguisher system to discharge fire extinguishing agents and 
to lower the concentration of Halon gas in the lower deck cargo 
compartment (LDCC) and bulk crew rest compartment (BCRC) in a timely 
manner. An ineffective fire extinguisher system in the event of a 
fire could result in an uncontrollable fire in the LDCC or BCRC.

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.

Restoration

    (f) After the effective date of this AD, after any activation of 
the fire extinguishing system, before further flight, restore the 
fire extinguishing system in the LDCC and in the BCRC, as 
applicable, in accordance with a method approved by either the 
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de 
l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent). The applicable airplane 
maintenance manual (AMM) in table 2 of this AD is one approved 
method, provided that the following caution note is included in the 
work instructions of that AMM:

``CAUTION: APPLY A SMALL QUANTITY OF THE CORRECT GREASE TO THE MALE 
THREADS OF THE CONNECTIONS. THIS WILL PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE THREADS. 
MAKE SURE THAT THE GREASE DOES NOT GO INTO THE PIPES. GREASE IN THE 
PIPES CAN CAUSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE SYSTEM.''

                             Table 2.--AMMs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Page
            For Model--              Block--             Of--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -        201  Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus
 243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -                A330 AMM (LDCC-FMS).
 322, -323, -341, -342, and -343
 airplanes.
(2) A340-311, -312, and -313             201  Chapter 26-28-00 of Airbus
 airplanes.                                    A340 AMM (BCRC-FMS).
(3) A340-541 and -642 airplanes...       201  Chapter 26-28-00 of Airbus
                                               A340-500/-600 AMM (BCRC-
                                               FMS).
(4) A340-642 airplanes............       201  Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus
                                               A340-600 AMM (LDCC-FMCU).
(5) A340-211, -212, and -213             201  Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus
 airplanes, and A340-311, -312,                A340 AMM (LDCC-FMS).
 and -313 airplanes.
(6) A340-541 and -642 airplanes...       201  Chapter 26-23-00 of Airbus
                                               A340-500/-600 AMM (LDCC-
                                               FMS).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspections of FMS in the LDCC

    (g) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) 
of this AD inclusive, on which the date of issuance of the original 
standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness is before October 2, 
2004: Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, within 2,400 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time 
general visual inspection for anti-fretting material contamination 
of the Halon filters and plumbing parts of the FMS in the LDCC, do 
applicable corrective actions if necessary; and related 
investigative and other specified actions; in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin in 
Table 3 of this AD. The applicable corrective and related 
investigative and other specified actions must be done before 
further flight.

       Table 3.--Service Bulletins for Inspecting FMS in the LDCC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              For Model--                   Airbus Service Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -  A330-26-3031, Revision 02,
 301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -     dated February 1, 2005.
 341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(2) A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312,    A340-26-4031, Revision 02,
 and -313 airplanes.                      dated February 1, 2005.
(3) A340-541 airplanes.................  A340-26-5007, dated January 31,
                                          2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Inspection of FMCU in LDCC

    (h) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(6) of this AD, on 
which the date of the original standard airworthiness certificate or 
the date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness is before October 2, 2004: Except as provided by 
paragraph (j) of this AD, within 2,400 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, do a one-time general visual inspection 
for anti-fretting material contamination of the plumbing parts of 
the FMCU in the LDCC, and do applicable corrective and other 
specified actions. The

[[Page 35792]]

actions must be done in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-26-5008, dated January 
31, 2005. The applicable corrective and other specified actions must 
be done before further flight.

Inspection of the FMS in the BCRC

    (i) For airplanes identified in Table 4 of this AD, on which the 
date of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date 
of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness is 
before October 2, 2004: Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this 
AD, within 2,400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do a one-time general visual inspection for anti-fretting material 
contamination of the Halon filters and plumbing parts of the FMS in 
the BCRC, do applicable corrective actions if necessary; and related 
investigative and other specified actions. The actions must be done 
in accordance with the applicable service bulletin in table 4 of 
this AD. The applicable corrective and related investigative and 
other specified actions must be done before further flight.

       Table 4.--Service Bulletins for Inspecting FMS in the BCRC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Do the actions in
For airplanes identified in--                        accordance with the
                                   On which--          Accomplishment
                                                      Instructions of--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Paragraphs (c)(5) and     The BCRC was          Airbus Service
 (c)(6) of this AD.            incorporated in       Bulletin A340-26-
                               production in         5009, dated January
                               accordance with any   31, 2005.
                               Airbus modification
                               47198, 47884,
                               48895, 48710,
                               49136, 50107,
                               50900, or 51320.
(2) Paragraph (c)(4) of this  The BCRC was          Airbus Service
 AD.                           incorporated in       Bulletin A340-26-
                               production in         4035, dated
                               accordance with       February 22, 2005.
                               Airbus modification
                               50901.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time Extension for Paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD

    (j) The inspection required by paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of 
this AD may be done within 6,600 flight hours after the effective 
date of this AD, provided that you can conclusively determine from 
reviewing the airplane maintenance records that the fire 
extinguishing system has never been activated before the effective 
date of this AD. A log book entry is not acceptable for determining 
if a fire extinguishing bottle has been activated.

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.

Related Information

    (l) French airworthiness directives F-2005-019 R1 (for Model 
A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes) and F-2005-020 R1 (for Model 
A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 and A340-
642 airplanes), both issued May 11, 2005, also address the subject 
of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use the service information specified in Table 5 of 
this AD 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 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 html.

              Table 5.--Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Airbus Service Bulletin     Revision level             Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-26-3031................  02..............  February 1, 2005.
A340-26-4031................  02..............  February 1, 2005.
A340-26-4035................  Original........  February 22, 2005.
A340-26-5007................  Original........  January 31, 2005.
A340-26-5008................  Original........  January 31, 2005.
A340-26-5009................  Original........  January 31, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 13, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5548 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P