[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 79745-79750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32084]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7528; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-004-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 A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-
600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports of premature aging of certain passenger 
chemical oxygen generators that resulted in the generators failing to 
activate. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if 
certain passenger chemical oxygen generators are installed and 
replacement of affected passenger chemical oxygen generators. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent failure of the passenger chemical oxygen 
generator to activate and consequently not deliver oxygen during an 
emergency, possibly resulting in injury to airplane occupants.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 8, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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--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]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    For B/E Aerospace service information identified in this proposed 
AD, contact B/E Aerospace Inc., 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS 66215; 
telephone: 913-338-9800; fax: 913-469-8419; Internet http://beaerospace.com/home/globalsupport.
    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-2015-
7528; 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

[[Page 79746]]

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, WA 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-2015-7528; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-004-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 Union, has issued EASA AD 
2015-0118, dated June 24, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Airbus 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); and Model A310 
series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Reports have been received indicating premature ageing of 
certain chemical oxygen generators, Part Number (P/N) 117042-XX (XX 
representing any numerical value), manufactured by B/E Aerospace. 
Some operators reported that when they tried to activate generators, 
some older units failed to activate. Given the number of failed 
units reported, all generators manufactured in 1999, 2000 and 2001 
were considered unreliable.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the 
generator to activate and consequently not deliver oxygen during an 
emergency, possibly resulting in injury to aeroplane occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued Alert 
Operators Transmission (AOT) A35W008-14, making reference to B/E 
Aerospace Service Information Letter (SIL) D1019-01 (currently at 
Revision 1) and B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin (SB) 117042-35-001. 
Consequently, EASA issued AD 2014-0280 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2014-0280] to require identification and replacement of the affected 
oxygen generators.
    Since EASA AD 2014-0280 was issued, and following new 
investigation results, EASA [has] decided to introduce a life 
limitation concerning all P/N 117042-XX chemical oxygen generators, 
manufactured by B/E Aerospace.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2014-0280, which is superseded, expands the 
scope of the [EASA] AD to include chemical oxygen generators 
manufactured after 2001, and requires their removal from service 
before exceeding 10 years since date of manufacture.

    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-2015-
7528.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A35W008-14, 
dated December 18, 2014.
    B/E Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin 117042-35-001, dated 
December 10, 2014.
    This service information describes procedures to replace certain 
passenger chemical oxygen generators. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 166 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 2 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 $390 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $92,960, or $560 per product.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this proposed AD 
is 2120-0056. The paperwork cost associated with this proposed AD has 
been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and 
includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and 
reviewing the collection of information. Therefore, all reporting 
associated with this proposed AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the 
accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should 
be directed to the FAA at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 
20591, ATTN: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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

[[Page 79747]]

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-2015-7528; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
004-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 8, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(5) of this AD, certificated 
in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 
airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
    (4) Airbus Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
    (5) Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, 
and -325 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of premature aging of certain 
passenger chemical oxygen generators that resulted in the generators 
failing to activate. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the passenger chemical oxygen generator to activate and consequently 
not deliver oxygen during an emergency, possibly resulting in injury 
to airplane occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Part Number Inspection

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, do a one-
time inspection of passenger chemical oxygen generators, part 
numbers (P/N) 117042-02 (15 minutes (min)--2 masks), 117042-03 (15 
min--3 masks), 117042-04 (15 min--4 masks), 117042-22 (22 min--2 
masks), 117042-23 (22 min--3 masks), or 117042-24 (22 min--4 masks), 
to determine the date of manufacture as specified in Airbus Alert 
Operators Transmission (AOT) A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014. 
Refer to Figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD and Figure 2 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD for the location of the date. A review of 
airplane maintenance records is acceptable for the inspection 
required by this paragraph, provided the date of manufacture can be 
conclusively determined by that review.

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23DE15.004

(h) Replacement of Passenger Chemical Oxygen Generators Manufactured in 
1999, 2000, and 2001

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any passenger chemical oxygen generator having a date of manufacture 
in 1999, 2000, or 2001 is found: At the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD, remove and replace 
the affected passenger chemical oxygen generator with a serviceable 
unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of B/E 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 117042-35-001, dated December 10, 2014 
(for 15 minute passenger chemical oxygen generators); or Airbus AOT 
A35W008-14, dated December 18, 2014 (for 22 minute passenger 
chemical oxygen generators); as applicable.
    (1) For passenger chemical oxygen generators that have a date of 
manufacture in 1999: Remove and replace within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) For passenger chemical oxygen generators that have a date of 
manufacture in 2000: Remove and replace within 6 months after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (3) For passenger chemical oxygen generators that have a date of 
manufacture in 2001: Remove and replace within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD.

(i) Replacement of Passenger Chemical Oxygen Generators Manufactured in 
2002 and Later

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any passenger chemical oxygen generator having a date specified in 
Table 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD is found: At the applicable time 
specified in Table 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD, remove and replace 
the affected passenger chemical oxygen generator with a serviceable 
unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of B/E 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 117042-35-001, dated December 10, 2014 
(for 15 minute passenger chemical oxygen generators); or Airbus AOT 
A35N006-14, dated December 10, 2014, including Appendix 01 (for 22 
minute passenger chemical oxygen generators); as applicable.

    Table 1 to Paragraph (i) of This AD--Replacement Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Year of  manufacture                   Compliance time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002...................................  Within 12 months after the
                                          effective date of this AD.
2003...................................  Within 16 months after the
                                          effective date of this AD.
2004...................................  Within 20 months after the
                                          effective date of this AD.
2005...................................  Within 24 months after the
                                          effective date of this AD.
2006...................................  Within 28 months after the
                                          effective date of this AD.
2007...................................  Within 32 months after the
                                          effective date of this AD.
2008...................................  Within 36 months after the
                                          effective date of this AD.

[[Page 79750]]

 
2009...................................  Before exceeding 10 years since
                                          date of manufacture of the
                                          passenger chemical oxygen
                                          generator.
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(j) Definition of Serviceable

    For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable unit is a passenger 
chemical oxygen generator having P/N 117042-XX (XX represents any 
numerical value) with a manufacturing date not older than 10 years, 
or any other approved part number, provided that the generator has 
not exceeded the life limit established for that generator by the 
manufacturer.

(k) Reporting

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) 
of this AD, submit a report of the findings (both positive and 
negative) of the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, in 
accordance with paragraph 7, ``Reporting,'' of Airbus AOT A35W008-
14, dated December 18, 2014. The report must include the information 
specified in Appendix 1 of Airbus AOT A35W008-14, dated December 18, 
2014.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

(l) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
passenger chemical oxygen generator, unless it is determined, prior 
to installation, that the oxygen generator is a serviceable unit (as 
defined in paragraph (j) of this AD).

(m) 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 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(n) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0118, dated June 24, 2015, 
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-2015-7528.
    (2) For Airbus service information identified in this 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]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com. For B/E service identified in this 
AD, contact B/E Aerospace Inc., 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS 66215; 
telephone: 913-338-9800; fax: 913-469-8419; Internet http://beaerospace.com/home/globalsupport. 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 December 11, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32084 Filed 12-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P