[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 214 (Monday, November 6, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64904-64906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18685]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 214 / Monday, November 6, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 64904]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26250; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-104-AD]
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)

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 A300-600 airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require an inspection to determine if certain spoiler actuators having 
certain part numbers are installed, and eventual replacement of all 
affected actuators. This proposed AD results from failure of a 
distribution block, which was detected during fatigue qualification 
tests of certain spoiler actuators. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of the distribution block, which could result in leakage of the 
hydraulic fluid that supplies those actuators. This failure could cause 
failure of one of the three spoiler actuators and the associated 
hydraulic circuits, which could result in loss of those hydraulic 
circuits and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 6, 
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-
26250; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-104-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 Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300-600 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that during fatigue qualification tests of 
certain spoiler actuators a failure of the distribution block was 
detected. This failure could lead to a leak of the hydraulic fluid that 
supplies the actuator, and could cause failure of one of the three 
spoiler actuators and the associated hydraulic circuits, which could 
result in loss of those hydraulic circuits. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, including Appendix 
01, dated May 17, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
an inspection to determine if certain spoiler actuators having certain 
part numbers are installed, and eventual replacement of all affected 
actuators. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The 
DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness 
directive F-2005-125, dated July 20, 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

[[Page 64905]]

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 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.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 1 airplane of U.S. registry.
    The proposed inspection would take about 1 hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed inspection for U.S. operators is $80.
    The proposed replacements, if accomplished, would take about 5 work 
hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. 
Required parts cost would be minimal. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed replacements for U.S. operators is $400.

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-2006-26250; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
104-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December 
6, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 airplanes; 
certificated in any category; as identified in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-27-6057, dated May 17, 2005.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from failure of a distribution block, which 
was detected during fatigue qualification tests of certain spoiler 
actuators. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
distribution block, which could result in leakage of the hydraulic 
fluid that supplies those actuators. This failure could cause 
failure of one of the three spoiler actuators and the associated 
hydraulic circuits, which could result in loss of those hydraulic 
circuits and consequent reduced controllability 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.

Inspection for Actuator Part Numbers and Corrective Action

    (f) Within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Inspect to determine if a spoiler actuator with part number 
P376A0002-04 or P376A0002-08 is installed, by doing all the 
applicable actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, excluding 
Appendix 01, dated May 17, 2005.
    (1) If no actuator with either identified part number is 
installed, no further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any actuator with any identified part number is installed 
and the three associated hydraulic circuits are affected (at least 
one actuator supplied by the yellow circuit and at least one 
actuator supplied by the blue circuit and at least one actuator 
supplied by the green circuit): Within 100 flight hours after 
accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, 
replace all affected actuators on one of the hydraulic circuits with 
new actuators in accordance with the service bulletin. Within 12 
months after accomplishing that replacement, replace all the 
remaining affected actuators with new actuators in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (3) If any actuator with any identified part number is installed 
and one or two of the associated hydraulic circuits are affected: 
Within 12 months after accomplishing the inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD, replace all affected actuators with new 
actuators in accordance with the service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (g) After the effective date of this AD, no spoiler actuator 
with part number P376A0002-04 or P376A0002-08 may be installed on 
any airplane.

No Reporting Required

    (h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6057, excluding 
Appendix 01, dated May 17, 2005, specifies to submit an inspection 
report to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that 
requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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) French airworthiness directive F-2005-125, dated July 20, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.


[[Page 64906]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 30, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18685 Filed 11-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P