[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 197 (Thursday, October 10, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54492-54495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22152]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0441; Product Identifier 2019-NM-036-AD; Amendment
39-19753; AD 2019-19-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-03-20
R1, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, and B4-
620, Model A300 B4-600R series, and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes. AD
2000-03-20 R1 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks on the
forward fittings in the radius of a certain frame, adjacent to the
tension bolts in the center section of the wings, and various follow-on
actions. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2000-03-20 R1, adds new
airplanes to the applicability, and introduces new compliance times for
the required inspections, as specified in a European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD
was prompted by reports of cracking due to fatigue-related stress in
the radius of frame 40, adjacent to the tension bolts at the center/
outer wing junction. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 14, 2019.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 14,
2019.
ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD,
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 89990 1000; email [email protected]; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material at the
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD docket on the internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2019-0441.
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-2019-
0441; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
[[Page 54493]]
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2000-03-20 R1, Amendment 39-12298 (66 FR
34530, June 29, 2001) (``AD 2000-03-20 R1''). AD 2000-03-20 R1 applied
to all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, and B4-620, Model A300 B4-
600R series, and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on June 17, 2019 (84 FR 27990). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of cracking due to fatigue-related stress in the
radius of frame 40, adjacent to the tension bolts at the center/outer
wing junction. The NPRM proposed to require initial and repetitive
ultrasonic (UT) and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections and
applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
fatigue cracking on the forward fittings in the radius of frame 40,
adjacent to the tension bolts in the center section of the wings, which
could result in reduced structural integrity of the wings.
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0044, dated March 7, 2019
(``EASA AD 2019-0044'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600 series, Model A300
B4-600R series, Model A300 F4-605R, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F
airplanes. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Comment
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment
received. Patrick Imperatrice indicated support for the NPRM.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2019-0044 describes procedures for initial and repetitive
UT and HFEC inspections and applicable corrective actions. Corrective
actions include reworking the fuselage lateral panel at frame 40,
blending out around cracks, and repair. This material 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
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 65 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Retained actions from AD 2000-03-20 R1 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $11,050
hour = $170.
New actions........................... 161 work-hours x $85 per 0 13,685 889,525
hour = $13,685.
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* Table does not include estimated costs for reporting.
The FAA estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per product
to comply with the reporting requirement in this AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per hour. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the
cost of reporting the inspection results on U.S. operators to be
$5,525, or $85 per product.
The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the
agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified
in this AD.
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.
The FAA is 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect
[[Page 54494]]
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2000-03-20 R1, Amendment 39-12298 (66 FR 34530, June 29, 2001), and
adding the following new AD:
2019-19-17 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-19753; Docket No. FAA-2019-0441;
Product Identifier 2019-NM-036-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 14, 2019.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2000-03-20 R1, Amendment 39-12298 (66 FR
34530, June 29, 2001) (``AD 2000-03-20 R1'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) through (4) of this AD, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-
0044, dated March 7, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0044'').
(1) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(3) Model A300 F4-605R airplanes.
(4) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of cracking due to fatigue-
related stress in the radius of frame 40, adjacent to the tension
bolts at the center/outer wing junction. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address fatigue cracking on the forward fittings in the radius of
frame 40, adjacent to the tension bolts in the center section of the
wings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the
wings.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0044.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0044
(1) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements
of this AD: Where EASA AD 2019-0044 refers to its effective date,
this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0044 does not apply
to this AD.
(3) Paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2019-0044 specifies to report all
inspection results to Airbus. For this AD, report all inspection
results to Airbus Service Bulletin Reporting Online Application on
Airbus World (https://w3.airbus.com/) at the applicable time
specified in paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) 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.
(4) For Model A300 B4-622 and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes:
The initial compliance time for the inspections required by EASA AD
2019-0044 is at the applicable time specified in EASA AD 2019-0044,
or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (j) 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 instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): For any service information
referenced in EASA AD 2019-0044 that contains RC procedures and
tests: Except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, RC
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended.
Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining
approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(4) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement: 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 1
hour 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.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3225.
(k) 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.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
November 14, 2019.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0044,
dated March 7, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) For information about EASA AD 2019-0044, contact the EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
89990 6017; email
[[Page 54495]]
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
(5) You may view this material at the FAA, Transport Standards
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This
material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0441.
(6) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
[email protected], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on September 24, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22152 Filed 10-9-19; 8:45 am]
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