[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21413-21416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08598]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0229; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-186-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A300 and A310 series airplanes, and certain Model A300-600 
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a review of certain 
repairs, which revealed that the structural integrity of the airplane 
could be affected if those repairs are not re-worked. This proposed AD 
would require an inspection to identify certain repairs, and corrective 
action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
certain repairs on the floor cross beams flange. If those repairs are 
not reworked, the structural integrity of the airplane could be 
negatively affected.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 2, 2014.

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, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 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];

[[Page 21414]]

Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0229; 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 
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, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98507-3356; 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-2014-0229; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-186-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 2013-0220, dated September 18, 2013 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A300 
and A310 series airplanes, and certain Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). The MCAI states:

In the frame of the Extended Service Goal (ESG) activity, all 
existing Structural Repair Manual (SRM) repairs were reviewed.
This analysis, which consisted in new static and fatigue 
calculations, revealed that some repairs were no longer applicable 
to some specific areas.

These repairs, if not reworked, could affect the structural 
integrity of the aeroplane. To address the repairs on the floor 
cross beams flange, Airbus issued Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) 
A300-53A0392, AOT A300-53A6171 and AOT A310-53A2135.
To address this unsafe condition, and further to the implementation 
of the Aging Aircraft Safety Rule (AASR), this [EASA] Airworthiness 
Directive requires a [general visual] inspection of the floor cross 
beams flange at frame (FR)11 and FR12A to identify SRM repairs and, 
depending on findings, accomplishment of corrective action 
[reworking the SRM repairs].

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0229.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the following service information. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
     All Operator Telex A300-53A0392, dated March 14, 2012 (for 
Model A300 series airplanes).
     All Operator Telex A300-53A6171, dated March 14, 2012 (for 
Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622; A300 B4-605R and B4-
622R; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes).
     All Operator Telex A310-53A2135, dated March 14, 2012 (for 
Model A310 series airplanes).

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 these 
same type designs.

Repair Approvals

    In many FAA transport ADs, when the service information specifies 
to contact the manufacturer for further instructions if certain 
discrepancies are found, we typically include in the AD a requirement 
to accomplish the action using a method approved by either the FAA or 
the State of Design Authority (or its delegated agent).
    We have recently been notified that certain laws in other countries 
do not allow such delegation of authority, but some countries do 
recognize design approval organizations. In addition, we have become 
aware that some U.S. operators have used repair instructions that were 
previously approved by a State of Design Authority or a Design Approval 
Holder (DAH) as a method of compliance with this provision in FAA ADs. 
Frequently, in these cases, the previously approved repair instructions 
come from the airplane structural repair manual or the DAH repair 
approval statements that were not specifically developed to address the 
unsafe condition corrected by the AD. Using repair instructions that 
were not specifically approved for a particular AD creates the 
potential for doing repairs that were not developed to address the 
unsafe condition identified by the MCAI AD, the FAA AD, or the 
applicable service information, which could result in the unsafe 
condition not being fully corrected.
    To prevent the use of repairs that were not specifically developed 
to correct the unsafe condition, certain requirements of this proposed 
AD would require that the repair approval specifically refer to the FAA 
AD. This change is intended to clarify the method of compliance and to 
provide operators with better visibility of repairs that are 
specifically developed and approved to correct the unsafe condition. In 
addition, we use the phrase ``its delegated agent, or the DAH with 
State of Design Authority design organization approval, as applicable'' 
in this proposed AD to refer to a DAH authorized to approve certain 
required repairs for this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 177 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $15,045, or $85 
per product.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost

[[Page 21415]]

estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD.

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.

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

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0229; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
186-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 2, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and 
B4-203 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs).
    (2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622; A300 B4-605R 
and B4-622R; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and A300 C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes; all MSNs, except those on which Airbus 
Modification 12699 has been embodied in production.
    (3) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 
airplanes, all MSNs.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a review of repairs done using the 
structural repair manual (SRM), which revealed that the structural 
integrity of the airplane could be affected if certain SRM repairs 
are not re-worked. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct SRM 
repairs on the floor cross beams flange at frame (FR)11 and FR12A. 
If these SRM repairs are not reworked, the structural integrity of 
the airplane could be negatively affected.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    (1) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
general visual inspection of the floor cross beams flange at FR11 
and FR12A to determine which SRM repairs have been done, in 
accordance with the instructions of the service information 
specified in paragraph (g)(1)(a), (g)(1)(b), or (g)(1)(c) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (a) For Model A300 series airplanes: Airbus All Operator Telex 
(AOT) A300-53A0392, dated March 14, 2012.
    (b) For Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622; A300 B4-
605R and B4-622R; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and A300 C4-
605R Variant F airplanes: Airbus AOT A300-53A6171, dated March 14, 
2012.
    (c) For Model A310 series airplanes: Airbus AOT A310-53A2135, 
dated March 14, 2012.
    (2) A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in 
lieu of the general visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) 
of this AD if the SRM repairs can be positively identified from that 
review.

(h) Repair

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
it is determined that any SRM repair specified in paragraph 2 of the 
service information identified in paragraph (g)(1)(a), (g)(1)(b), or 
(g)(1)(c) of this AD, as applicable, has been done: Within 30 months 
after the effective date of this AD, rework the repair using a 
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA (or its delegated 
agent, or the Design Approval Holder (DAH) with EASA design 
organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, the 
repair approval must specifically refer to this AD.

(i) 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: Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98507-
3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 427-1149. 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, use these actions if they 
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if 
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its 
delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's 
design organization approval, as applicable). For a repair method to 
be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer to this AD. 
You are required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is 
returned to service.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Airworthiness Directive 2013-0220, dated September 18, 2013, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0229.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice

[[Page 21416]]

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 view this 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.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 7, 2014.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08598 Filed 4-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P