[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41892-41894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14968]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-7269; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-198-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 A300 series airplanes; 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 a report 
indicating that during inspections to detect corrosion of the bulk 
cargo doors, several cracks were discovered. This proposed AD would 
require a general visual inspection of the bulk cargo door frame to 
identify any structural repairs, a detailed visual inspection of the 
frame at the repaired area for any cracking if necessary, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and 
correct cracking of the bulk cargo doors; such cracking could result in 
rapid airplane decompression or possible loss of the bulk cargo door.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 12, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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. 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-2016-
7269; 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, 
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-2016-7269; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-198-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 
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0238, dated December 18, 2015 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Model A300 
series airplanes; 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:

    During inspections to detect corrosion on the Bulk Cargo Doors 
of Airbus A300 family aeroplanes, several cracks were discovered. 
Investigations revealed that a set of SRM [structural repair manual] 
repair solutions was defined in 1993, and was classified as 
permanent and without limitation. As of 2011, this set of repair 
solutions was revised and classified permanent, but with post-repair 
required actions.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
rapid decompression events or even loss of the bulk cargo door.
    As per Ageing Aircraft rules, it was determined that new 
inspections have to be completed on the Bulk Cargo Door Frames to 
detect potential fatigue damages on repaired structures or to 
perform a new repair scheme.
    Based on the fact that several aeroplanes could potentially be 
flying with potential fatigue damages on repaired structures, Airbus 
was requested to issue Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) A53W010-15 
to provide fleet-wide inspection instructions to address this 
condition.
    For the reasons describes above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the bulk cargo door frame to determine whether a 
repair has been accomplished and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

    The required actions in this NPRM include a detailed visual 
inspection of the bulk cargo door frame at the repaired area for any 
cracking, repair of cracks, and post-repair inspections of crack-free 
frames. 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-2016-7269.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W010-15, 
Revision 00, including Appendixes 1, 2, and 3, dated December 15, 2015. 
The service information describes a general visual inspection of the 
bulk cargo door frame to identify any structural repairs, and a 
detailed visual inspection of the frame at the repaired area. 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.

[[Page 41893]]

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 135 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
             Action                        Labor cost             Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection......................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0              $85          $11,475
                                   = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD, except for the cost of reporting, specified as follows:

                           On-Condition Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
        Action            Labor cost       Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting............  1 work-hour x                $0              $85
                        $85 per hour =
                        $85.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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-2016-7269; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
198-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 12, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-
203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, 
B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, and F4-622R airplanes, 
and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A310-203, -
204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, that have accumulated more than 14,600 total flight 
cycles as of the effective date of this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  For airplanes that have 
accumulated 14,600 total flight cycles or fewer as of the effective 
date of this AD, no actions are required by this AD.


[[Page 41894]]



(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that during 
inspections to detect corrosion of the bulk cargo doors, several 
cracks were discovered. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
cracking of the bulk cargo doors; such cracking could result in 
rapid airplane decompression or possible loss of the bulk cargo 
door.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 250 flight cycles or 6 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, do a general visual inspection of 
the bulk cargo door frame to identify the existence of any 
structural repairs, in accordance with the instructions of Airbus 
Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A53W010-15, Revision 00, 
including Appendixes 1, 2, and 3, dated December 15, 2015.

(h) Detailed Visual Inspection

    If, during the general visual inspection required in paragraph 
(g) of this AD, any repair is found on the bulk cargo door frame: 
Before further flight, do a detailed visual inspection for cracking 
of the frame at the repaired area, in accordance with the 
instructions of Airbus AOT A53W010-15, Revision 00, including 
Appendixes 1, 2, and 3, dated December 15, 2015.

(i) Crack Repair

    If any cracking is found during the detailed visual inspection 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, repair 
using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA).

(j) Post-Repair Actions for Crack-Free Frames

    If no cracking is found during the detailed visual inspection 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do the actions in paragraphs 
(j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD.
    (1) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1)(i) or 
(j)(1)(ii) of this AD: Send a report of the inspection results to 
Airbus Service Bulletin Reporting Online Application on Airbus World 
(https://w3.airbus.com/).
    (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 60 days after the inspection.
    (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 60 days after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) Within 2,800 flight cycles after the detailed visual 
inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Do applicable post-
repair inspections and repairs, using a method approved by the 
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA Design Organization 
Approval (DOA).

(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: 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 EASA; 
or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 
the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0238, dated December 18, 
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-2016-7269.
    (2) For 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. 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 June 10, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-14968 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P