[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 14, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45305-45308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15589]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 14, 2007 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 45305]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28159; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-257-AD; 
Amendment 39-15156; AD 2007-16-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes 
and Model A310 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300-600, A310-200, and 
A310-300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting for 
certain serial numbers on elevators, and doing a detailed inspection, 
visual inspection with a low-angle light, and tap-test inspection of 
the upper and lower surfaces of the external skins on certain 
identified elevators for any damage (i.e., debonding of the graphite 
fiber reinforced plastic/Tedlar film protection, bulges, debonding of 
the honeycomb core to the carbon fiber reinforced plastic, abnormal 
surface reflections, and torn-out plies), and doing corrective actions 
if necessary. This new AD also requires inspecting for damage of the 
identified elevators in accordance with a new repetitive inspection 
program, at new repetitive intervals; and would provide an optional 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from 
reports of damage caused by moisture/water inside the elevator. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct debonding of the skins on the 
elevators, which could cause reduced structural integrity of an 
elevator and reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 18, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of September 18, 
2007.
    On February 3, 2006 (70 FR 77301, December 30, 2005), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Airbus All Operators Telex A300-600-55A6032, dated June 23, 2004; and 
Airbus All Operators Telex A310-55A2033, dated June 23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this 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:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Operations 
office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the ground floor of the 
West Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES 
section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2005-26-17, amendment 
39-14438 (70 FR 77301, December 30, 2005). The existing AD applies to 
certain Airbus Model A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 series airplanes. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2007 (72 FR 
27493). That NPRM proposed to continue to require inspecting for 
certain serial numbers on elevators, and doing a detailed inspection, 
visual inspection with a low-angle light, and tap-test inspection of 
the upper and lower surfaces of the external skins on certain 
identified elevators for any damage (i.e., debonding of the graphite 
fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP)/Tedlar film protection, bulges, 
debonding of the honeycomb core to the carbon fiber reinforced plastic, 
abnormal surface reflections, and torn-out plies), and doing corrective 
actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require inspecting for 
damage of the identified elevators in accordance with a new repetitive 
inspection program, at new repetitive intervals; and would provide an 
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. We are currently considering 
requiring the optional terminating action of replacing the external 
GFRP/Tedlar film with an application of pore filler on the whole 
elevator external surface, which would constitute terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections required by this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 142 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following 
table provides the estimated costs for U.S.

[[Page 45306]]

operators to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work hour.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                      Work hours         Parts      Cost per airplane        Fleet cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection for serial number        1....................         $0  $80.................  $11,360.
 (required by AD 2005-26-17).
Repetitive inspections (required    3....................          0  $240, per inspection  $34,080, per
 by AD 2005-26-17).                                                    cycle.                inspection cycle.
New repetitive inspection program   Between 8 and 12.....          0  Between $640 and      Between $90,880 and
 (new action).                                                         $960, per             $136,320, per
                                                                       inspection cycle.     inspection cycle.
Replacement (optional terminating/  48...................         90  $3,930..............  $558,060.
 new action).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-14438 (70 FR 77301, December 30, 2005) and by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-16-17 Airbus: Amendment 39-15156. Docket No. FAA-2007-28159; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-257-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 18, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-26-17.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes 
and Model A310 series airplanes, certificated in any category, 
equipped with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) elevator skin 
panels, modified in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-
2019 or A300-55-6016 (Airbus Modification 10861) with graphite fiber 
reinforced plastic (GFRP)/Tedlar film as external protection, with 
part numbers (P/Ns) and serial numbers (S/Ns) identified in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-55-6039 or A310-55-2040, both dated June 7, 
2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of damage caused by moisture/
water inside the elevator. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct debonding of the skins on the elevators, which could cause 
reduced structural integrity of an elevator and 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.

Restatement of the Requirements of AD 2005-26-17

Inspection for Serial Number, Repetitive Inspections, and Corrective 
Actions

    (f) Within 600 flight hours after February 3, 2006 (the 
effective date of AD 2005-26-17), inspect to determine if the S/N of 
the elevator is listed in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A300-600-
55A6032, dated June 23, 2004, or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-
6039, dated June 7, 2006 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or 
in Airbus AOT A310-55A2033, dated June 23, 2004, or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-55-2040, dated June 7, 2006 (for Model A310 series 
airplanes).
    (1) If the S/N does not match any S/N on either AOT or service 
bulletin S/N list, no further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If the S/N matches a S/N listed in an AOT or service 
bulletin, before further flight, do the actions listed in Table 1 of 
this AD, and any corrective action as applicable, in accordance with 
Airbus AOT A300-600-55A6032, dated June 23, 2004; or Airbus AOT 
A310-55A2033, dated June 23, 2004; as applicable. Repeat the 
inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours 
until the inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD is 
accomplished. Do applicable corrective actions before further 
flight.

[[Page 45307]]



                    Table 1.--Repetitive Inspections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Do a--                   Of the--              For any--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed inspection.........  Elevator upper and    Damage (i.e., breaks
                               lower external skin   in the graphite
                               surfaces.             fiber reinforced
                                                     plastic (GFRP)/
                                                     Tedlar film
                                                     protection,
                                                     debonded GFRP/
                                                     Tedlar film
                                                     protection, bulges,
                                                     torn-out plies).
Visual inspection with a low- Elevator upper and    Differences in the
 angle light.                  lower external skin   surface reflection.
                               surfaces.
Tap-test inspection.........  Upper and lower       Honeycomb core that
                               external skin         has debonded from
                               surfaces of the       the carbon fiber
                               honeycomb core        reinforced plastic
                               panels in the         (CFRP).
                               elevator.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
``an intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirrors magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Repair Approval

    (g) Where the AOTs specified in paragraph (f) of this AD say to 
contact the manufacturer for repair instructions, or an alternative 
inspection method: Before further flight, repair or do the 
alternative inspection method according to a method approved by 
either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate; or the Direction Gonorale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC) (or its delegated agent), or the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent).

Parts Installation

    (h) As of February 3, 2006, no carbon fiber elevator having part 
number (P/N) A55276055000 (left-hand side) or P/N A55276056000 
(right-hand side) may be installed on any airplane unless it is 
inspected according to paragraph (f) of this AD; or according to 
paragraph (j) of this AD.

No Reporting Required for AOT Inspections

    (i) Although the AOTs referenced in paragraph (f) of this AD 
specify to submit inspection reports to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

New Requirements of This AD

Revised Inspection Program

    (j) For airplanes with affected serial numbers identified in 
paragraph (f) of this AD: Except as provided by paragraph (k) of 
this AD, within 2,000 flight cycles or 18 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, do a detailed inspection 
of the external surfaces of the GFRP/Tedlar film protection on the 
upper and lower skin panels to detect damage of the film, and a 
thermographic inspection of the upper and lower skin panels to 
detect any potential water indication inside the panel's honeycomb 
core; do all applicable related investigative/corrective actions 
before further flight; and repair the external GFRP/Tedlar film with 
pore filler. Do all actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-6039 (for Model 
A300-600 series airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-2040 
(for Model A310 series airplanes); both including Appendix 01, both 
dated June 7, 2006. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 2,000 flight cycles or 18 months, whichever occurs 
earlier. Where the service bulletin says to contact the manufacturer 
for repair instructions: Before further flight, repair or do the 
alternative inspection method according to a method approved by 
either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116; or the EASA (or 
its delegated agent). Doing the inspections in accordance with this 
paragraph terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of 
paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (k) The maximum time between the inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD and the first inspection done in accordance 
with paragraph (j) of this AD must be no greater than: For the 
thermographic inspection, 2,500 flight hours after the last 
thermographic inspection done in accordance with the applicable AOT 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD; and for the tap test, 600 
flight hours after the last tap test inspection done in accordance 
with the applicable AOT specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Report

    (l) Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) 
of the inspections required by paragraph (j) of this AD to Airbus, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD. 
The report must include the information in Appendix 01 of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-55-6039 or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-
2040, both dated June 7, 2006, as applicable. Under the provisions 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB 
Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done prior to the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date 
of this AD.

Optional Terminating Action

    (m) Replacing the external GFRP/Tedlar film with an application 
of pore filler on the whole elevator external surface in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-55-6040 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-55-2041 (for Model A310 
series airplanes), both dated June 5, 2006, terminates the 
repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD, 
provided the replacement is done before further flight after 
accomplishment of Airbus Service Bulletins A310-55-2040 and A300-55-
6039, both dated June 7, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (n)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance 
with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-26-17 
are approved as AMOCs with the corresponding provisions of this AD.

Related Information

    (o) EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0289, dated November 2, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (p) You must use the service documents identified in Table 2 of 
this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise.

[[Page 45308]]



          Table 2.--Required Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus service information                      Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Operators Telex A300-600-55A6032...  June 23, 2004.
All Operators Telex A310-55A2033.......  June 23, 2004.
Service Bulletin A300-55-6039,           June 7, 2006.
 including Appendix 01.
Service Bulletin A310-55-2040,           June 7, 2006.
 including Appendix 01.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you accomplish the optional actions specified in this AD, you 
must use the service documents identified in Table 3 of this AD to 
perform those actions, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

          Table 3.--Optional Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus service information                      Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin A300-55-6040..........  June 5, 2006.
Service Bulletin A310-55-2041..........  June 5, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the documents identified in Table 4 of 
this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

            Table 4.--New Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus service information                      Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin A300-55-6039,           June 7, 2006.
 including Appendix 01.
Service Bulletin A300-55-6040..........  June 5, 2006.
Service Bulletin A310-55-2040,           June 7, 2006.
 including Appendix 01.
Service Bulletin A310-55-2041..........  June 5, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) On February 3, 2006 (70 FR 77301, December 30, 2005), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of the service documents identified in Table 5 of this AD.

         Table 5.--Material Previously Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus service information                      Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Operators Telex A300-600-55A6032...  June 23, 2004.
All Operators Telex A310-55A2033.......  June 23, 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may 
review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 2, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-15589 Filed 8-13-07; 8:45 am]
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