[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32347-32349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12519]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1162; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-002-AD; 
Amendment 39-17459; AD 2013-10-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-
300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
several reports of a burning smell and/or smoke in the cockpit during 
cruise phase leading, in some cases, to diversion to alternate 
airports. This AD requires an inspection to identify the installed 
windshields and replacement of any affected windshield. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent significantly increased workload for the flightcrew, 
which could, under some flight phases and/or circumstances, constitute 
an unsafe condition.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 5, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; 
fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 7, 2012 (77 
FR 66760). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which 
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, 
has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0242, dated December 19, 
2011 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) states:

    Several operators have reported cases of burning smell and/or 
smoke in the cockpit during cruise phase leading in some cases to 
diversion.
    Findings have shown that the cause of these events is the 
burning of the Saint-Gobain Sully (SGS) windshield connector 
terminal block.
    This condition, if not corrected, could significantly increase 
the flight crew workload which would, under some flight phases and/
or circumstances, constitute an unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
identification of the installed windshields and replacement of the 
affected part.
* * * * *
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Revised Service Information

    Since the NPRM (77 FR 66760, November 7, 2012) was published, we 
have received the following service information:
     Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 
02, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012;
     Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012; and
     Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.

We have determined that these service bulletins do not add any 
additional actions to those proposed in the NPRM. Therefore, we have 
revised paragraphs (g), (h), and (j) of this AD to refer to these 
service bulletins, and have revised paragraph (i) of this AD to provide 
credit for actions performed before the effective date of this AD using 
the previous revisions of those service bulletins.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received. The Air Line Pilots 
Association (ALPA) stated that it supports the NPRM (77 FR 66760, 
November 7, 2012).

Request To Revise Applicability

    Airbus requested that the applicability stated in the NPRM (77 FR 
66760, November 7, 2012) be revised to state the generic Model ``A330-
200/-300'' and ``A340-500/-600'' series airplanes instead of the 
specific airplane models. Airbus stated that the actions of the NPRM 
are actually required for all the series airplanes instead of only the 
models stated in the NPRM.
    We disagree. The models stated in paragraph (c) of the NPRM (77 FR 
66760, November 7, 2012) correspond to the model and series airplanes 
validated by the FAA and identified in an FAA type certificate data 
sheet (TCDS). Some series airplanes that were identified in the MCAI 
are not listed on any FAA TCDS and cannot be imported and placed on the 
U.S. register until that model is validated and identified on an FAA 
TCDS. If a model identified in the MCAI is identified on an FAA TCDS in 
the future, we might consider additional rulemaking. We have not 
changed this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 66760, November 7, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 66760, November 7, 2012).

[[Page 32348]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 55 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $9,350, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$850 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. 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 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 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 the NPRM (77 FR 66760, November 7, 
2012), 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

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

2013-10-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-17459. Docket No. FAA-2012-1162; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-002-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 5, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, all manufacturer 
serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, 
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, 
and -642 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 56, Windows.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by several reports of a burning smell and/
or smoke in the cockpit during cruise phase leading, in some cases, 
to diversion to alternate airports. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent significantly increased workload for the flightcrew, which 
could, under some flight phases and/or circumstances, constitute an 
unsafe condition.

(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) Inspection

    Within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect to identify the manufacturer, the part number, and the 
serial number of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) windshields 
installed on the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable Airbus service information identified 
in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD. A review of 
airplane delivery or maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of 
this inspection if the manufacturer, part number, and serial number 
of the installed windshields can be conclusively determined from 
that review.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 02, 
including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes: Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, 
dated February 8, 2012.

(h) Replacement

    If it is found, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD, that any installed LH or RH windshield was manufactured 
by Saint-Gobain Sully (SGS) and the part number and serial number 
are identified in the applicable Airbus service information 
identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD: Within 
9 months or 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, replace all affected LH and RH windshields, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
Airbus service information identified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), 
or (h)(3) of this AD.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 02, 
including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes: Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin

[[Page 32349]]

A340-56-5002, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 
2012.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using the applicable service 
information identified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(4) of this 
AD, which are not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, dated May 4, 2010 (for 
Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -
303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes).
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 01, dated 
January 27, 2011 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, 
-243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 
airplanes).
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, dated May 4, 2010 (for 
Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes).
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, dated May 4, 2010 (for 
Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes).

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install on an 
airplane any affected windshield from SGS having a part number and 
serial number identified in the applicable service information 
identified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD, 
unless a suffix ``U'' is present at the end of the serial number.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 02, 
including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes: Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (3) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, 
dated February 8, 2012.

(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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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, 
WA 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2011-0242, 
dated December 19, 2011 (corrected February 15, 2012), and the 
service information identified in paragraphs (l)(1)(i) through 
(l)(1)(iii) of this AD, for related information.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 02, 
including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (iii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (2) For 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. 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.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-56-3009, Revision 02, 
including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-4008, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (iii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-56-5002, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated February 8, 2012.
    (3) For 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.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 May 16, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12519 Filed 5-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P