[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 111 (Monday, June 12, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26869-26872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12055]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0554; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-201-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 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-

[[Page 26870]]

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 static analysis 
performed by Airbus that revealed that some areas of the wing structure 
cannot sustain the damage previously published in certain structural 
repair manuals. This proposed AD would require an inspection to 
determine that no repair or damage to certain wing areas is beyond the 
allowable limits; and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 27, 2017.

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-2017-
0554; 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-2017-0554; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-201-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 2016-0229, dated November 15, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all 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:

    A static analysis performed by Airbus on A300, A310, A300-600, 
and A300-600ST aeroplanes, revealed that some areas of the wing 
structure cannot sustain the damage previously published in the 
A300, A310, A300-600, and A300-600ST Structural Repair Manuals 
(SRM).
    The SRMs were therefore amended to reduce the dimensions of 
allowable damage and to indicate the areas of the wing structure 
where damage is no longer acceptable.
    This condition, if not detected, could reduce the structural 
integrity of the wings.
    Consequently, Airbus issued Service Bulletins (SB) A300-57-0256, 
A310-57-2102, A300-57-6114, and A300-57-9027 (hereafter referred to 
as ``the applicable Airbus SB''), as applicable for A300, A310, 
A300-600, and A300-600ST aeroplanes, to inspect the areas identified 
in these SBs and determine if the repair(s) or damage(s) found stay 
within the limits indicated in the latest SRM issue (including 
temporary revisions).
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
accomplishment of an inspection of the aeroplane records. If 
aeroplane records are missing or incomplete, a Detail Inspection 
(DET) of specific wing areas is required to ensure that no repair or 
damage is beyond the limits allowed in the current revision of the 
SRM (including temporary revisions) [and repair if necessary].

    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-2017-
0554.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following Airbus Service Information.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0256, Revision 00, dated 
August 3, 2015 (Airbus Model A300 series airplanes).
     Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6114, Revision 00, dated 
August 3, 2015 (for 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).
     Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2102, Revision 00, dated 
August 3, 2015 (for Model A310 series airplanes).
    This service information describes an inspection of the airplane 
maintenance records or a detailed inspection of the left-hand and 
right-hand wing areas to determine whether any repair or damage is 
beyond the allowable limits in the current revision of the SRM, and 
repair if necessary. These documents are distinct since they apply to 
different airplane models in different configurations. 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.

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.

[[Page 26871]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 128 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Cost per
            Action                   Labor cost         Parts cost         product       Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................  Up to 18                           $0  Up to $1,530....  Up to $195,840.
                                work[dash]hours x
                                $85 per hour =
                                $1,530.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost 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-2017-0554; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-
201-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 27, 2017.

(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 B4-600, B4-
600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and 
Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial 
numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a static analysis performed by Airbus 
that revealed that some areas of the wing structure cannot sustain 
the damage previously published in the A300, A310, A300-600, and 
A300-600ST Structural Repair Manuals. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct any repair or damage on the wing structure that 
is outside the allowable structural limits. Such conditions could 
reduce the structural integrity of the wings and could result in 
loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection of the left- and right-hand wing areas to 
determine whether any repair or damage exceeds the allowable 
structural limits, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service information specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD. A review of airplane maintenance records 
is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if it can be positively 
determined from that review whether any repair or damage exceeds the 
allowable structural limits and the airplane configuration can be 
conclusively determined from that review.

(h) Corrective Action

    If, during any review or inspection, as required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, any repair or damage is found that is outside the 
allowable structural limits specified in the applicable service 
information in paragraph (i) of this AD: Within 3 months after 
accomplishing the review or inspection required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, 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).

(i) Service Information for the Actions Specified in Paragraph (g) of 
This AD

    Use the applicable service information for the actions specified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0256, Revision 00, dated 
August 3, 2015 (for Airbus Model A300 series airplanes).
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6114, Revision 00, dated 
August 3, 2015 (for 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)).
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2102, Revision 00, dated 
August 3, 2015 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International

[[Page 26872]]

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 manager of the International Branch, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 
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.
    (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0229, dated November 15, 2016, 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-2017-0554.
    (2) For more information about this AD, 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.
    (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. 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 2, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12055 Filed 6-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P