[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 130 (Monday, July 9, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37122-37124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13211]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28599; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-008-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in 
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined 
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) 
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA 
on 31 May 2006.

    The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in 
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions that 
are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 8, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     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.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 37123]]

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:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28599; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-008-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2006-0374, dated December 15, 2006 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in 
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined 
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) 
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA 
on 31 May 2006.
    Issue 11 of this document (refer to the Summary of Changes 
chapter for more details) deals in particular with the introduction 
of new tasks and the reduction of threshold and interval of some ALI 
tasks.
    Some other clarifications are also brought to some tasks like 
for example the access, the applicability period or the 
applicability.
    This AD supersedes DGAC AD F-2004-153, as it was mandating A300-
600 ALI issue 9.

The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in 
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane. Incorporating this revision into the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued structural 
integrity of these airplanes. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A300-600 Airworthiness Limitation Items Document 
AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 11, dated April 2006. The actions described 
in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe 
condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 138 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $11,040, or $80 per product.

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 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 this 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

[[Page 37124]]

this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-28599; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
008-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 8, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes, 
all certified models, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in 
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined 
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) 
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA 
on 31 May 2006.
    Issue 11 of this document (refer to the Summary of Changes 
chapter for more details) deals in particular with the introduction 
of new tasks and the reduction of threshold and interval of some ALI 
tasks.
    Some other clarifications are also brought to some tasks like 
for example the access, the applicability period or the 
applicability.
    This AD supersedes DGAC AD F-2004-153, as it was mandating A300-
600 ALI issue 9.

The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in 
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane. Incorporating this revision 
into the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions 
for Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued 
structural integrity of these airplanes.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within 3 months after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 11, dated 
April 2006. The tolerance (grace period) for compliance (specified 
in paragraph 2 of Section B--Program Rules) with Issue 11 of the ALI 
is within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
provided that none of the following is exceeded:
    (1) Thresholds or intervals in the operator's current approved 
maintenance schedule that are taken from a previous ALI issue, if 
existing, and are higher than or equal to those given in Issue 11 of 
the ALI.
    (2) 8 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) 50 percent of the intervals given in Issue 11 of the ALI.
    (4) Any application tolerance given in the task description of 
Issue 11 of the ALI.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, ATTN: Tom Stafford, Aerospace 
Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149; has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 
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.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2006-0374, dated December 15, 2006, and Airbus A300-600 
Airworthiness Limitation Items Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 
11, dated April 2006, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 25, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13211 Filed 7-6-07; 8:45 am]
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