[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60087-60089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16880]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26045; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-145-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 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 supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 
series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires modifying the 
wiring of the autopilot pitch torque limiter switch. This proposed AD 
would add repetitive operational tests of the autopilot disconnection 
upon pitch override, and related investigative/corrective actions if 
necessary. This proposed AD results from the determination that such 
operational tests are necessary following the modification. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent possible trim loss when the flightcrew 
tries to override the autopilot pitch control, which could result in 
uncontrolled flight of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 13, 
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: Thomas Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 60088]]

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 ``Docket No. 
FAA-2006-26045; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-145-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

    On June 14, 2005, we issued AD 2005-13-33, amendment 39-14170 (70 
FR 36833, June 27, 2005), for certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 
series airplanes. That AD requires modifying the wiring of the 
autopilot (AP) pitch torque limiter switch. That AD resulted from 
several reports of pitch trim disconnect caused by insufficient length 
in the wiring to the pitch torque limiter lever. We issued that AD to 
prevent possible trim loss when the flightcrew tries to override the 
autopilot pitch control, which could result in uncontrolled flight of 
the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2005-13-33, it has been determined that 
repetitive operational tests of the autopilot disconnection upon pitch 
override are necessary following the modification to ensure the 
reliability of AP disconnection by stick force.

Relevant Service Information

    AD 2005-13-33 cites Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-0117, dated 
September 7, 2004, as the appropriate source of service information for 
the modification. Airbus has since revised the service bulletin. 
Revision 01, dated April 20, 2005, and Revision 02, dated September 14, 
2005, provide minor changes only.
    Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A300-22-0118, including 
Appendix 01, dated May 18, 2005. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for repetitive operational tests of the autopilot 
disconnection upon pitch override. Related investigative and corrective 
actions for discrepant results include inspecting for discrepancies 
(including chafing) of the wiring between the relay and the autopilot 
flight director logic monitor (AP/FD L/M) computer, replacing the relay 
with a new relay having the same part number, repairing the torque 
limiter lever or replacing it with a new one having the same part 
number, and repairing or replacing the wiring.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The Direction 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, mandated the service information 
and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-107, dated July 6, 
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 
section 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 AD action is 
necessary for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    This proposed AD would supersede AD 2005-13-33 and retain the 
requirements of that AD. This proposed AD would add repetitive 
operational tests of the AP disconnection upon pitch override, and 
related investigative/corrective actions if necessary.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 29 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                         Average
                 Action                    Work hours   labor rate        Parts             Cost per airplane                    Fleet cost
                                                         per hour
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Modification............................         8-11          $80      $1,700-$4,280  $2,340-$5,160.............  $67,860-$149,640.
Operational test........................            4           80                  0  $320, per test cycle......  $9,280, per test 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

[[Page 60089]]

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 
removing amendment 39-14170 (70 FR 36833, June 27, 2005) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2006-26045; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
145-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 
13, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-13-33.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus A300 aircraft, all certified 
models and all serial numbers, certificated in any category, except 
for:
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 
airplanes, A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes, A300 F4-605R and F4-
622R airplanes, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
    (2) Models A300B4-220, A300B4-203, and A300B2-203 in forward 
facing crew cockpit certified configuration.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the determination that repetitive 
operational tests are necessary following incorporation of the 
wiring modification required by AD 2005-13-33. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent possible trim loss when the flightcrew tries to 
override the autopilot pitch control, which could result in 
uncontrolled 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.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2005-13-33

Modification

    (f) Within 20 months after August 1, 2005 (the effective date of 
AD 2005-13-33), modify the wiring of the autopilot pitch torque 
limiter switch, by doing all of the applicable actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-
0117, dated September 7, 2004; Revision 01, dated April 20, 2005; or 
Revision 02, dated September 14, 2005. After the effective date of 
this AD, only Revision 02 may be used.

New Requirements of This AD

Repetitive Operational Tests

    (g) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or 
(g)(2) of this AD: Do an operational test of the autopilot 
disconnection upon pitch override, and do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions. Do the actions in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-22-0118, excluding Appendix 01, dated May 18, 2005; except that 
this AD does not require a report of the inspection results. Do all 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions before 
further flight. Repeat the test thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 2,000 flight hours.
    (1) For airplanes modified before the effective date of this AD 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-0117, dated 
September 7, 2004: Do the initial test within 2,000 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes modified in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-22-0117, Revision 01, dated April 20, 2005; or 
Revision 02, dated September 14, 2005: Do the initial test within 
2,000 flight hours after the modification required by paragraph (f) 
of this AD, or within 2,000 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later.

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.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-13-33 
are not approved as AMOCs with this AD.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-107, dated July 6, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 3, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-16880 Filed 10-11-06; 8:45 am]
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