[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 77 (Monday, April 24, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18845-18849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07981]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-7269; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-198-AD; 
Amendment 39-18862; AD 2017-08-13
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 AD was prompted by a report indicating that 
during inspections to detect corrosion of the bulk cargo doors, several 
cracks were discovered. This AD requires inspections of the bulk cargo 
door frame to identify any structural repairs and cracking, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 30, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 30, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2016-7269.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone: 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on

[[Page 18846]]

June 28, 2016 (81 FR 41892). The NPRM was prompted by a report 
indicating that during inspections to detect corrosion of the bulk 
cargo doors, several cracks were discovered. The NPRM proposed to 
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 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.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
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 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. 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 AD 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. This AD affects airplanes that have accumulated more than 
14,600 total flight cycles as of the effective date 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; 
however, we might consider further rulemaking for these airplanes.
    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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Revise the Applicability

    United Parcel Service (UPS) requested that we remove Model F4-622R 
airplanes from the applicability in paragraph (c) of the proposed AD. 
UPS stated that review of the applicable structural repair manual (SRM) 
sections identified in Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) 
A53W010-15, Revision 00, including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated 
December 15, 2015, revealed that Model A300 F4-622R airplanes with 
Airbus Modification 12046 embodied do not have the repair configuration 
in question available for use on these airplanes.
    We agree with the commenter's request. Since the issuance of the 
NPRM, Airbus has revised the service information. Airbus AOT A53W010-
15, Revision 01, including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated October 4, 
2016, excludes Model A300 F4-622R and Model F4-605R airplanes in the 
post-Modification 12046 configuration. Therefore, we have redesignated 
paragraph (c) of the proposed AD as paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and 
added paragraph (c)(2) to this AD to exclude those airplanes.

Request To Add Certain Language to the NPRM

    Richard Vernon requested that we revise paragraph (g) of the 
proposed AD to state that no further action is required for airplanes 
on which no structural repairs are identified.
    We agree. We have determined that this change is consistent with 
the intent of the MCAI. Therefore, we have revised paragraph (g) of 
this AD to state that if no structural repairs are found or identified 
during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD or the 
maintenance records review specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, no 
further action is required by this AD for that airplane.

Request To Expand and Reorganize the NPRM

    UPS requested that we revise the NPRM to expand paragraph (g) and 
to reorganize paragraphs (h) through (i) of the proposed AD. UPS stated 
that the initial inspection and applicable corrective actions are 
spread over multiple paragraphs, including combining reporting 
requirements with the ``no damage found'' follow-on action.
    We disagree with the commenter's request. While we understand the 
commenter's proposed reorganization of the paragraphs, our intent of 
the AD as written is to provide requirements that are consistent with 
the requirements of the MCAI. We have not changed this AD in this 
regard.

Request To Provide Guidance for Airplanes Repaired After December 2011

    UPS commented that a detailed review of paragraphs (g) and (h) of 
the proposed AD indicates that there is no guidance for airplanes 
without repairs installed or repairs installed after December 2011 when 
the repair was classified in the SRM as ``permanent with post-repair 
actions.'' UPS stated that it is possible for an airplane with more 
than 14,600 total flight cycles to have an SRM repair identified in 
Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W010-15, Revision 00, dated 
December 15, 2015, References (1) through (8), and to be in compliance 
with the SRM post-repair actions and still have to re-validate the 
repair per the NPRM.
    We infer that UPS is requesting that we provide guidance for 
airplanes repaired after December 2011 and airplanes with no repairs 
installed.
    We agree to clarify. There is further action for airplanes repaired 
after December 2011, as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. SRM 
repairs and post-repair inspections do not allow for detecting cracks 
at doubler angles, whether the repairs were permanent or not or 
performed before or after December 2011. We have not revised this AD in 
this regard. For airplanes on which no structural repairs are 
identified during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
or the records review specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, no further 
action is necessary. As stated previously, we have added language to 
paragraph (g) of this AD that states that if no structural repairs are 
found or identified, no further action is required by this AD for that 
airplane.

[[Page 18847]]

Request To Allow Maintenance Records Review in Lieu of Inspection

    UPS provided restructured text for paragraph (g) of the proposed 
AD. The text includes an allowance to review the airplane maintenance 
records to identify the existence of any structural repairs of the bulk 
cargo door frame.
    From this language provided by UPS, we infer that UPS was 
requesting that we include an option to allow a review of the airplane 
maintenance records to determine the existence of any structural 
repairs in lieu of the required general visual inspection of the bulk 
cargo door frame. We agree. We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to 
add a statement that a review of airplane maintenance records is 
acceptable in lieu of the inspection specified in paragraph (g) of this 
AD as long as the existence of any structural repairs can be 
conclusively determined from that review. We have also revised 
paragraph (h) of this AD to refer to the maintenance records review.

Request for Credit for Previous Actions

    FedEx requested that we allow credit for those airplanes which have 
been previously inspected in accordance with Airbus AOT A53W010-15, 
Revision 00, including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated December 15, 
2015. FedEx stated that it has previously performed the required 
inspection on its airplanes as specified in Airbus AOT A53W010-15, 
Revision 00, including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated December 15, 
2015. FedEx stated that Airbus indicated that airplanes having 
accumulated less than 14,600 total flight cycles will be covered later 
by another means of inspection. FedEx asserted that the NPRM will 
impose an additional burden based upon the results of the inspection on 
its airplanes, which were all negative.
    We agree with the commenter's request for the reasons stated. We 
have revised this AD to provide credit for actions specified in 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD if those actions were done before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus AOT A53W010-15, Revision 00, 
including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated December 15, 2015.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus AOT A53W010-15, Revision 01, including 
Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated October 4, 2016. The service 
information describes procedures for 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. The 
service information also provides procedures for contacting Airbus for 
repair instructions and reporting of inspection results. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 135 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this 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 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 $85 per hour = $85...              $0             $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 AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this 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 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

[[Page 18848]]

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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2017-08-13: Amendment 39-18862; Docket No. FAA-2016-7269; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-198-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 30, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) 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.
    (2) Airbus Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes in the post-
Modification 12046 configuration are not affected by the 
requirements of this AD.

(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 01, 
including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated October 4, 2016. A review 
of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection as long as the existence of any structural repairs can be 
conclusively determined from that review. If no structural repairs 
are found or identified during the inspection or maintenance records 
review, no further action is required by this AD for that airplane.

(h) Detailed Visual Inspection

    If, during the general visual inspection required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD or the maintenance records review specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, any repair is found or identified 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 
01, including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated October 4, 2016.

(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 the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (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 DOA.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using Airbus AOT A53W010-15, 
Revision 00, including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated December 15, 
2015.

(l) 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 DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must 
include the DOA-authorized signature.

[[Page 18849]]

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 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) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(n) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A53W010-15, Revision 01, 
including Appendixes 1, 2, 3, and 4, dated October 4, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
    (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 April 13, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07981 Filed 4-21-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P