[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 3, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58320-58322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16204]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25966; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-149-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Model A310 airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
doing repetitive inspections for any missing, damaged, or incorrectly 
installed wiper rings in the splined couplings of the flap 
transmissions shafts; inspections for any missing, damaged, or 
incorrectly installed rubber gaiters and straps on the sliding bearing/
plunging joints of the flap transmission; and corrective action if 
necessary. This proposed AD

[[Page 58321]]

results from reviews in which the manufacturer determined that the 
splined couplings and sliding bearings of the flap transmission system 
could be affected by corrosion and wear. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct damaged, missing, or incorrectly installed 
components of the flap transmission system, which could result in 
reduced functional integrity of the flap transmission system and 
consequent reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 2, 
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 service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
25966; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-149-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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for the European Union, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Airbus Model A310 airplanes. The EASA 
advises that the manufacturer conducted high-time equipment reviews as 
part of the Model A310 aircraft design service goal extension work. The 
manufacturer determined that the splined couplings and sliding bearings 
of the flap transmission system could be affected by corrosion and 
wear. In addition, the manufacturer determined that the protective 
components of the flap transmission system could be defective. The 
protective components include the wiper rings and rubber gaiters. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced functional 
integrity of the flap transmission system and consequent reduced 
control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-27-2099, dated February 17, 
2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing an inspection 
for any missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed wiper rings in the 
splined couplings of the flap transmission shafts; an inspection for 
any missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed rubber gaiters and 
straps on the sliding bearing/plunging joints of the flap transmission; 
and corrective action if necessary. The corrective action is replacing 
any damaged, missing, or incorrectly installed wiper rings, rubber 
gaiters, or straps with serviceable components. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated the service information 
and issued airworthiness directive 2006-0111, dated May 12, 2006, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the European 
Union.

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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. As described in FAA 
Order 8100.14A, ``Interim Procedures for Working with the European 
Community on Airworthiness Certification and Continued Airworthiness,'' 
dated August 12, 2005, the EASA has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the EASA's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products 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 the service information 
described previously.

Clarification of Type of Inspection

    The service bulletin specifies to ``visually inspect'' the flap 
transmission shafts. We have determined that the procedures in the 
service bulletin should be described as a ``general visual 
inspection.'' Note 1 has been included in this proposed AD to define 
this type of inspection.

Costs of Compliance

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

[[Page 58322]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Number of
                                          Work     Average      Cost per      U.S.-
                Action                   hours    labor rate    airplane    registered         Fleet cost
                                                   per hour                 airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, per inspection cycle......        3          $80         $240            3  $15,120, per inspection
                                                                                         cycle.
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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 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-2006-25966; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
149-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 
2, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A310 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reviews in which the manufacturer 
determined that the splined couplings and sliding bearings of the 
flap transmission system could be affected by corrosion and wear. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged, missing, or 
incorrectly installed components of the flap transmission system, 
which could result in reduced functional integrity of the flap 
transmission system 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.

Initial and Repetitive Inspections

    (f) Within 2,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD: Do a general visual inspection for any missing, damaged, or 
incorrectly installed wiper rings in the splined couplings of the 
flap transmission shafts; and a general visual inspection for any 
missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed rubber gaiters and straps 
on the sliding bearing/plunging joints of the flap transmission; in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-27-2099, dated February 17, 2006. Repeat the 
inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,500 flight 
cycles.

    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.''

Corrective Actions

    (g) If any damaged, missing or incorrectly installed wiper 
rings, rubber gaiters, or straps are found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 400 flight cycles after 
accomplishing the inspection, replace the applicable component with 
a serviceable component in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2099, dated February 
17, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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

    (i) The European Aviation Safety Agency's airworthiness 
directive 2006-0111, dated May 12, 2006, also addresses the subject 
of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 22, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-16204 Filed 10-2-06; 8:45 am]
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