[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79558-79560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32844]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1324; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-104-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
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), and Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report of a crack in the forward cargo door selector 
valve pipe located in the avionics bay opposite to line replaceable 
unit racking. This proposed AD would require replacing a certain 
aluminum high pressure pipe with a new corrosion resistant stainless 
steel pipe. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking in the forward 
cargo door selector valve pipe which could impact the 90 VU avionics 
line replaceable unit, and could result in multiple computer failures, 
affecting flight safety.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 6, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 
93 44 51; email: [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the

[[Page 79559]]

regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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-2012-1324; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-104-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 based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.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 2011-0085, dated May 12, 2011 (corrected May 
31, 2011) (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    An A300-600 operator has reported a hydraulic leak at the 
forward cargo door area. After further investigation, the forward 
cargo door selector valve pipe Part Number (P/N) A5231006100300, 
located in the avionics bay opposite to Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) 
racking, was found cracked.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, can impact the 90 
VU avionics LRU, which could result in multiple computer failures, 
affecting flight safety.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
replacement of the aluminum pipe P/N A5231006100300 with a stainless 
steel pipe P/N A5231007000600.
    This [EASA] AD has been corrected to make clear that the use of 
Airbus SB A310-52-2067 and Airbus SB A300-52-6065 at original issue 
is acceptable to comply with paragraph (1) of this [EASA] AD, 
unless, inadvertently, the high pressure pipe P/N A5231007000600 has 
been replaced in service, after original issue of the SB's 
accomplishment, with P/N A5231006100300.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A300-52-6065, 
Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010; and A310-52-2067, Revision 01, dated 
July 5, 2010. 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

    This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as 
follows: The MCAI specifies that installation of P/N A5231006100300 is 
not allowed after modification. However, this AD does not allow 
installation of P/N A5231006100300 as of the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 152 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product. Where the 
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under 
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. 
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some 
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $51,680, or $340 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 this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:


[[Page 79560]]


    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-2012-1324; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-
104-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 6, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-
622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes; and Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, 
and -325 airplanes; certificated in any category; all certificated 
models, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52: Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the forward cargo 
door selector valve pipe located in the avionics bay opposite to 
line replaceable unit racking. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
cracking in the forward cargo door selector valve pipe which could 
impact the 90 VU avionics line replaceable unit, and could result in 
multiple computer failures, affecting flight safety.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Replacement

    Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Within 30 months 
or 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, replace the aluminum high pressure pipe having part 
number (P/N) A5231006100300 with a new pipe made of corrosion 
resistant stainless steel having P/N A5231007000600, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010 (for Model 
A300 B4-600 series airplanes); or A310-52-2067, Revision 01, dated 
July 5, 2010 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(h) Exception

    Any airplane that has incorporated Airbus Modification 12464 in 
production has the new P/N A5231007000600 installed and is therefore 
compliant with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. If the 
high pressure pipe has been replaced with P/N A5231006100300 in 
service after delivery of the airplane, replace the high pressure 
pipe in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD within the times 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
aluminum high pressure pipe having P/N A5231006100300, on any 
airplane.

(j) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    Replacements done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A300-52-6065, 
dated July 9, 2002 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); and A310-
52-2067, dated July 9, 2002 (for Model A310 series airplanes); are 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of 
this AD.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it to ATTN: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter 
must specifically reference this AD.
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0085, dated May 12, 2011 (corrected May 
31, 2011); Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 
01, dated July 5, 2010; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-
52-2067, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 2011.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32844 Filed 12-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P