[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60089-60092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-16882]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26047; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-146-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-605R Airplanes and 
Model A310-308, -324, and -325 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 certain Airbus Model A300 B4-605R airplanes and Model A310-308, -
324, and -325 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the 
Bruce floor plan electrical emergency path marking system (FPEEPMS) 
and, for certain airplanes, modifying the automatic switching of the 
emergency lighting system. This proposed AD results from a report that 
in the case of vertical separation of the fuselage forward of

[[Page 60090]]

door 1, the FPEEPMS and the exit signs do not turn on. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent inadequate lighting and marking of the escape path, 
which could delay or impede the flightcrew and passengers when exiting 
the airplane during an emergency landing.

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 9:00 
a.m. and 5:00 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-
26047; Directorate identifier 2006-NM-146-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 certain Airbus Model A300 B4-605R 
airplanes and Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes. The EASA 
advises that a report has shown that in the case of vertical separation 
of the fuselage forward of door 1, the Bruce floor plan electrical 
emergency path marking system (FPEEPMS) and the exit signs do not turn 
on. This condition, if not corrected, could result in inadequate 
lighting and marking of the escape path, which could delay or impede 
the flightcrew and passengers when exiting the airplane during an 
emergency landing.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-33-6047, Revision 01, dated 
January 20, 2006 (for Model A300 B4-605R airplanes); and Service 
Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January 20, 2006 (for Model 
A310-308, -24, and -325 airplanes). The service bulletins describe 
procedures for modifying the Bruce FPEEPMS. The modification includes 
the following actions, depending on the configuration of the airplane:
     Modifying equipment and wiring between air bleed panel 
436VU and the avionics compartment.
     Modifying terminal block 5700 VT and installing wiring.
     Modifying terminal blocks 4701VT, 4903VT, 5503VT, and 
5702VT.
     Removing, installing, and modifying wiring in various 
locations, such as from the aft power supply unit through the cabin 
with connection to all other power supply units and the EMERG LIGHT 
switch 28WL.
    Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January 
20, 2006, also specifies prior or concurrent accomplishment of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-33-2025, Revision 01, dated April 17, 2001, for 
modifying the automatic switching of the emergency lighting system. The 
modification of the automatic switching involves the following actions:
     Modifying equipment and wiring in the relay box 104VU.
     Modifying equipment and wiring in the relay box 107VU.
     Modifying wiring in the alternating current power center 
101VU.
     Modifying equipment and wiring in the avionics 
compartment, zone 120.
     Modifying wiring between the flight compartment, zone 210, 
and the avionics compartment, zone 120.
     Doing the actions specified in A310-33-2025 concurrently 
or prior to the modification of the automatic switching.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-33-6047, Revision 01, and Service Bulletin 
A310-33-2045, Revision 01, and issued airworthiness directive 2006-
0077, dated April 3, 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 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 the service information 
described previously.

[[Page 60091]]

Difference Between the EASA Airworthiness Directive and This Proposed 
AD

    The applicability of EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0077 
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2045, 
Revision 01, or A300-33-6047, Revision 01, have been accomplished in 
service. However, we have not excluded those airplanes in the 
applicability of this proposed AD; rather, this proposed AD includes a 
requirement to accomplish the actions specified in Revision 01 of those 
service bulletins, as applicable. This requirement would ensure that 
the actions specified in the applicable service bulletin and required 
by this proposed AD are accomplished on all affected airplanes. 
Operators must continue to operate the airplane in the configuration 
required by this proposed AD unless an alternative method of compliance 
is approved.

Clarification of Concurrent Service Bulletin

    EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0077 does not specify doing 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2025, Revision 01, dated April 17, 
2001, which is a concurrent service bulletin for Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January 20, 2006. This 
proposed AD specifies doing Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2025, 
Revision 01, dated April 17, 2001. We have coordinated with the EASA 
that this concurrent action is necessary to ensure continued safety.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                                                         Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                                                    Number of
                                                                  Average                                                                             U.S.-
               Action                        Work hours          labor rate                Parts                        Cost per  airplane          registered             Fleet cost
                                                                  per hour                                                                          airplanes
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Modification of FPEEPMS.............  44 to 47................          $80  $2,570 to $2,690.................  $6,090 to $6,450.................            1  $6,090 to $6,450.
Modification of automatic switching.  14......................           80  $534 to $727.....................  $1,654 to $1,847.................            1  $1,654 to $1,847.
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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-2006-26047; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
146-AD.

Comments Due Date

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

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-605R airplanes and 
Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes, certificated in any 
category; on which Airbus Modification 06810 or 06934 (Bruce floor 
proximity emergency escape path marking system (FPEEPMS)) has been 
installed in production; or on which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
33-6047 or A310-33-2045, both dated March 5, 2004, has been done.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that in the case of vertical 
separation of the fuselage forward of door 1, the FPEEPMS and the 
exit signs do not turn on. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
inadequate lighting and marking of the escape path, which could 
delay or impede the flightcrew and passengers when exiting the 
airplane during an emergency landing.

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 16 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the Bruce FPEEPMS in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-33-6047, Revision 01, dated January 
20, 2006 (for Model A300 B4-605R airplanes); or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-33-2045, Revision 01, dated January 20, 2006 (for

[[Page 60092]]

Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes); as applicable.
    (g) For Model A310-308, -324, and -325 airplanes: Prior to or 
concurrently with the modification required in paragraph (f) of this 
AD, modify the automatic switching of the emergency lighting system 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-33-2025, Revision 01, dated April 17, 2001.

Modifications Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service 
Bulletin

    (h) Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-33-2025, dated 
March 1, 1993, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding action specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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

    (j) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness 
directive 2006-0077, dated April 3, 2006, 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. E6-16882 Filed 10-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P