[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36209-36211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14796]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0596; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-245-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 
certain Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes, Model A330-
200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of the ram 
air turbine (RAT) not deploying when tested. This proposed AD would 
require identification of the supplier, part number, and serial number 
of the installed RAT actuator, and re-identification of the actuator 
and RAT, or replacement of the RAT actuator with a serviceable unit and 
re-identification of the RAT, if necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent non-deployment of the RAT, which if occurred following a total 
engine flame-out, or during a total loss of normal electrical power 
generation, could result in reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 2, 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 Airbus service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax 
+33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; Internet 
http://www.airbus.com. For Hamilton Sunstrand service information 
identified in this proposed AD, contact Hamilton Sundstrand, Technical 
Publications, Mail Stop 302-9, 4747 Harrison Avenue, P.O. Box 7002, 
Rockford, Illinois 61125-7002; telephone 860-654-3575; fax 860-998-
4564; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.hamiltonsundstrand.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 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1138; 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-2012-0596; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-245-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 2011-0204, dated October 14, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During a production test flight, a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) did not 
deploy when tested. An investigation, conducted by the RAT 
manufacturer Hamilton Sundstrand (HS) and Arkwin Industries, 
revealed that the RAT did not deploy due to insufficient stroke 
inside one of the actuator deployment solenoids.
    This condition, if occurring following a total engine flame out, 
or during a total loss of normal electrical power generation, could 
possibly result in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
modification of the affected RAT actuator deployment mechanism, or 
replacement of the RAT actuator with a modified unit.

The required actions include identification of the supplier, part 
number, and serial number of the installed RAT actuator, and re-
identification of the actuator and RAT, or replacement of the RAT 
actuator with a serviceable unit and re-identification of the RAT, if 
necessary. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in 
the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the following service bulletins:
     Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-29-3114, dated May 
18, 2011.
     Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-4089, dated May 
18, 2011.
     Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-5018, dated May 
18, 2011.
    Hamilton Sundstrand has issued the following service bulletins:
     Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS06M-29-18, dated 
March 8, 2011.
     Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS33T-29-5, dated 
March 8, 2011.
    The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

[[Page 36210]]

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.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 56 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 14 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 $66,640, or $1,190 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 13 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$1,105 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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:

    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-2012-0596; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-
245-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 2, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD; certificated in any category.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -223F -243F, 
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, 
all manufacturer serial numbers (MSN); except those on which Airbus 
modification 201043 has been embodied in production.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, 
and -642 airplanes, all MSN; except those on which Airbus 
modification 201043 or 201042 has been embodied in production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29: Hydraulic 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the ram air turbine (RAT) not 
deploying when tested. We are issuing this AD to prevent non-
deployment of the RAT, which if occurred following a total engine 
flame-out, or during a total loss of normal electrical power 
generation, could result in reduced control of the airplane.

(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) Identification and Replacement for Certain Airbus Model A330, and 
A340-200 and -300 Airplanes

    (1) For Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series, A330-200 and -
300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes: 
Within 15,000 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, identify the supplier, part 
number, and serial number of the installed RAT actuator, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A330-29-3114, dated May 18, 2011 (for Model A330-
200 freighter series airplanes, Model A330-200 and -300 series 
airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-4089, dated 
May 18, 2011 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes).
    (i) If the supplier identified is Arkwin, and the identified 
actuator part number and serial number are listed as already 
modified in Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS06M-29-18, 
dated March 8, 2011, but not yet re-identified, before further 
flight, re-identify the actuator and the RAT, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-29-3114, dated May 18, 2011 (for Model A330-200 freighter 
series airplanes, Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-4089, dated May 18, 2011 
(for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes).
    (ii) If the supplier identified is Arkwin and the identified 
actuator part number and serial number are listed as not modified in 
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS06M-29-18, dated March 8, 
2011, before further flight, replace the RAT actuator with a 
serviceable unit, and re-identify the RAT, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-29-3114, dated May 18, 2011 (for Model A330-200 freighter 
series airplanes, Model A330-200

[[Page 36211]]

and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A340-29-4089, dated May 18, 2011 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes).

(h) Identification and Replacement for Certain Airbus Model A340-500 
and -600 Airplanes

    (1) For Model A340-500 and -600 Airplanes: Within 15,000 flight 
hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first after the effective date 
of this AD, identify the part number and serial number of the 
installed RAT actuator, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-5018, 
dated May 18, 2011.
    (i) If the identified actuator part number and serial number are 
listed as already modified in Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 
ERPS33T-29-5, dated March 8, 2011, but not yet re-identified, before 
further flight, re-identify the actuator and the RAT, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A340-29-5018, dated May 18, 2011.
    (ii) If the identified actuator part number and serial number 
are listed as not modified in Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 
ERPS33T-29-5, dated March 8, 2011, before further flight, replace 
the RAT actuator with a serviceable unit, and re-identify the RAT, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-5018, dated May 18, 2011.

(i) Parts Installation

    (1) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
any RAT actuator having part number (P/N) 5912958 or P/N 1211575-
001, or any RAT having P/N 1702934A having a serial number listed as 
affected in Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS06M-29-18, 
dated March 8, 2011, on any airplane, unless the RAT actuator has 
been replaced with a serviceable unit and the RAT has been re-
identified, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-29-3114, 
dated May 18, 2011 (for Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes, 
Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A340-29-4089, dated May 18, 2011 (for Model A340-
200 and -300 series airplanes).
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
any RAT actuator having P/N 5912536 or P/N 1211526-002, or any RAT 
having P/N 772722F having a serial number listed as affected in 
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS33T-29-5, dated March 8, 
2011, on any airplane, unless the RAT actuator has been replaced 
with a serviceable unit and the RAT has been re-identified, as 
applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-5018, dated May 18, 2011.

 (j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, 
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2011-0204, dated October 14, 2011; and the service 
information specified in paragraphs (k)(1)(i), (k)(1)(ii), 
(k)(1)(iii), (k)(1)(iv), and (k)(1)(v) of this AD; for related 
information.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-29-3114, dated May 
18, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-4089, dated May 
18, 2011.
    (iii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-5018, dated May 
18, 2011.
    (iv) Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS06M-29-18, dated 
March 8, 2011.
    (v) Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS33T-29-5, dated 
March 8, 2011.
    (2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com. For Hamilton Sunstrand service 
information identified in this AD, contact Hamilton Sundstrand, 
Technical Publications, Mail Stop 302-9, 4747 Harrison Avenue, P.O. 
Box 7002, Rockford, Illinois 61125-7002; telephone 860-654-3575; fax 
860-998-4564; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.hamiltonsundstrand.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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 6, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14796 Filed 6-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P