Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340-200 Airplanes, 12127-12131 [E7-4741]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 50 / Thursday, March 15, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 757–
200, –200PF, and –200CB series airplanes,
certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757–53A0092,
Revision 1, dated January 10, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of scribe
lines adjacent to the fuselage skin lap joints.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
cracks, which could grow and cause rapid
decompression of the airplane.
Compliance
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair
required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option
Authorization Organization who has been
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to
make those findings. For a repair method to
be approved, the repair must meet the
certification basis of the airplane.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 1,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–4742 Filed 3–14–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Inspections
Federal Aviation Administration
(f) Perform detailed inspections to detect
scribe lines and cracks of the fuselage skin,
lap joints, circumferential butt splice strap,
and external and internal approved repairs;
and perform related investigative and
corrective actions. Do the actions in
accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
757–53A0092, Revision 1, dated January 10,
2007, except as required by paragraph (g) of
this AD. Do the actions within the applicable
compliance times specified in paragraph 1.E.
of the service bulletin, except as required by
paragraph (h) of this AD.
14 CFR Part 39
Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications
(g) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
757–53A0092, Revision 1, dated January 10,
2007, specifies to contact Boeing for
appropriate repair instructions, repair using
a method approved in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this
AD.
(h) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757–
53A0092, Revision 1, dated January 10, 2007,
specifies compliance times relative to the
date of issuance of the service bulletin;
however, this proposed AD would require
compliance before the specified compliance
time relative to the effective date of the AD.
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Credit for Prior Accomplishment
(i) Inspections done before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 757–53A0092, dated
September 18, 2006, are acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
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[Docket No. FAA–2007–27565; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–215–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A330 and A340–200 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to
supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to certain
Airbus Model A330–200, A330–300,
A340–200, and A340–300 series
airplanes; and Model A340–541 and
–642 airplanes. The existing AD
currently requires repetitively resetting
the display units (DUs) for the
electronic instrument system (EIS),
either by switching them off and back
on again or by performing a complete
electrical shutdown of the airplane. This
proposed AD would require installing
new software, which would end the
actions required by the existing AD.
This proposed AD also would add
additional airplanes that may be placed
on the U.S. Register in the future. This
proposed AD results from an incident in
which all of the DUs for the EIS went
blank simultaneously during flight. We
are proposing this AD to prevent
automatic reset of the DUs for the EIS
during flight and consequent loss of
data from the DUs, which could reduce
the ability of the flightcrew to control
the airplane during adverse flight
conditions.
We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by April 16, 2007.
DATES:
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12127
Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France,
for service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim
Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057–3356; telephone
(425) 227–2797; fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2007–27565;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–215–
AD’’ at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that Web
site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
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Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the Docket
Management System receives them.
Discussion
On August 18, 2005, we issued AD
2005–17–18, amendment 39–14239 (70
FR 50166, August 26, 2005), for certain
Airbus Model A330–200, A330–300,
A340–200, and A340–300 series
airplanes; and Model A340–541 and
–642 airplanes. That AD requires
repetitively resetting the display units
(DUs) for the electronic instrument
system (EIS), either by switching them
off and back on again or by performing
a complete electrical shutdown of the
airplane. That AD resulted from an
incident in which all of the DUs for the
EIS went blank simultaneously during
flight. We issued that AD to prevent
automatic reset of the DUs for the EIS
during flight and consequent loss of
data from the DUs, which could reduce
the ability of the flightcrew to control
the airplane during adverse flight
conditions.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
After the issuance of AD 2005–17–18,
´ ´
the Direction Generale de l’Aviation
Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France,
issued French emergency airworthiness
directive UF–2005–166, dated
September 23, 2005, which was
superseded by F–2005–166 R1, dated
October 26, 2005. Those French
airworthiness directives cancelled
French airworthiness directive UF–
2005–150, dated August 10, 2005
(referred to in AD 2005–17–18), and
required that the resets be done only by
the aircraft flightcrew in accordance
with Airbus A330 Airplane Flight
Manual (AFM) Temporary Revision (TR)
4.03.00/26 and A340 AFM TR 4.03.00/
37, both dated October 11, 2005; as
applicable. We determined at that time
that further rulemaking was not
necessary, because AD 2005–17–18
adequately addresses the unsafe
condition by requiring the resets to be
done either by certificated maintenance
personnel or by the flightcrew. In
addition, we approved TRs 4.03.00/26
and 4.03.00/37 as alternative methods of
compliance (AMOC) to the requirements
of paragraph (f) of AD 2005–17–18
(addressed in paragraph (j)(3) of this
proposed AD).
In the preamble to AD 2005–17–18,
we specified that the actions required by
that AD were considered ‘‘interim
action’’ and that the manufacturer was
developing a modification to address
the unsafe condition. We indicated that
we may consider further rulemaking
once the modification was developed,
approved, and available. The
manufacturer now has developed such a
modification, and we now have
determined that further rulemaking
action is indeed necessary; this
proposed AD follows from that
determination.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the primary service
bulletins in the following table:
PRIMARY SERVICE BULLETINS
Airbus Service Bulletin—
For Model—
A330–31–3087, dated June 26, 2006 ................
A330–201, –202, –203, –223, –243, –301, –302, –303, –321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and
–343 airplanes.
A340–211, –212, –213, –311, –312, and –313 airplanes.
A340–541 and –642 airplanes.
A340–31–4100, dated June 26, 2006 ................
A340–31–5021, dated June 26, 2006 ................
These primary service bulletins
describe procedures for installing
electronic instrument system 2 (EIS2)
software standard L6–1, which would
end the actions required by AD 2005–
17–18.
Airbus also has issued the service
bulletins in the following table:
ADDITIONAL SERVICE BULLETINS
Describes procedures for—
Which must be done prior to the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin—
A330–31–3069,
27, 2004.
A330–31–3056,
2003.
A340–31–4087,
27, 2004.
A340–31–5012,
27, 2004.
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Airbus Service Bulletin—
Revision 01, dated December
Installing EIS2 software standard L5 ...............
A330–31–3087, dated June 26, 2006.
Revision 02, dated March 24,
Installing Thales display system standard L4 ..
A330–31–3087, dated June 26, 2006.
Revision 01, dated December
Installing EIS2 software standard L5 ...............
A340–31–4100, dated June 26, 2006.
Revision 01, dated December
Installing EIS2 software standard L5 ...............
A340–31–5021, dated June 26, 2006.
dated July 10, 2006 (which cancels
French airworthiness directive F–2005–
166 R1), to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in the
European Union.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
Accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe
condition. The European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States
of the European Union, mandated the
service information and issued EASA
airworthiness directive 2006–0196,
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These airplane models are
manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United
States under the provisions of section
21.29 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness
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agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the EASA has
kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the
EASA’s findings, evaluated all pertinent
information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for airplanes of this
type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
This proposed AD would supersede
AD 2005–17–18 and would retain the
requirements of the existing AD. This
proposed AD would also require
accomplishing the actions specified in
service bulletins described previously,
which would end the repetitive actions
required by AD 2005–17–18. This
proposed AD also would add additional
airplanes that are subject to the
identified unsafe condition of this
proposed AD and that may be placed on
the U.S. Register in the future.
Difference Between the EASA
Airworthiness Directive and This
Proposed AD
The applicability of EASA
airworthiness directive 2006–0196
excludes certain airplanes on which
Airbus Service Bulletin A330–31–3087,
A340–31–4100, or A340–31–5021 has
been done in service. However, we have
not excluded those airplanes in the
applicability of this proposed AD;
rather, this proposed AD includes a
requirement to accomplish the actions
specified in the original issue of those
service bulletins. This requirement
would ensure that the actions specified
in the service bulletins and required by
this proposed AD are accomplished on
all affected airplanes. Operators must
continue to operate the airplane in the
configuration required by this proposed
AD unless an AMOC is approved.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the
estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD. The
average labor rate per hour is $80.
ESTIMATED COSTS
Number of
U.S.-registered
airplanes
Action
Work hour(s)
Parts
Cost per airplane
Resetting the DUs (required by AD 2005–
17–18).
Installation of new software (new proposed
action).
1 ..................................
None ............................
$80, per reset ..............
27
$2,160, per reset.
3 ..................................
The manufacturer
states that it will supply required parts to
the operators at no
cost.
The manufacturer
states that it will supply required parts to
the operators at no
cost.
$240 ............................
27
$6,480.
Between $80 and
$400, depending on
the airplane configuration.
27
Between $2,160 and
$10,800, depending
on the configuration
of the fleet.
Additional requirement
Between 1 and 5 de(new proposed action).
pending on the airplane configuration.
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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.
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 the 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section
for a location to examine the regulatory
evaluation.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
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List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
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Fleet cost
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by removing amendment 39–14239 (70
FR 50166, August 26, 2005) and adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2007–27565;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–215–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by April 16, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005–17–18.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330
and A340 airplanes; certificated in any
category; on which one of the Airbus
Electronic Instrument System 2 (EIS2)
software versions listed in Table 1 of this AD
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is installed; excluding those airplanes on
which Airbus Modification 53063 has been
done in production.
TABLE 1.—APPLICABILITY
EIS2 software version
Installed by this
Airbus modification in production
L4–1 ...........................
L5 ...............................
51153
51974
Or installed by one of these Airbus service bulletins in service
A330–31–3056, A330–31–3057, or A340–31–5001.
A330–31–3056, A330–31–3069, A340–31–4087, or A340–31–5012.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from an incident in
which all of the display units (DUs) for the
EIS went blank simultaneously during flight.
We are issuing this AD to prevent automatic
reset of the DUs for the EIS during flight and
consequent loss of data from the DUs, which
could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to
control the airplane during adverse flight
conditions.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Requirements of AD 2005–17–18
Resetting the DUs for the EIS
(f) For Model A330–201, –202, –203, –223,
–243, –301, –321, –322, –323, –341, –342,
and –343 airplanes; and Model A340–211,
–212, –213, –311, –312, –313, –541, and –642
airplanes: Within 2 days after September 12,
2005 (the effective date of AD 2005–17–18),
or within 4 days after the last reset of the DUs
for the EIS or complete electrical shutdown
of the airplane, whichever is first: Reset the
DUs for the EIS by doing the actions in either
paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD.
Thereafter, do the actions in paragraph (f)(1)
or (f)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed
4 days.
(1) Switch off each DU for the EIS, wait 5
seconds or longer, and switch the DU back
on again, in accordance with Airbus All
Operator Telex (AOT) A330–31A3092 (for
Model A330–201, –202, –203, –223, –243,
–301, –321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and –343
airplanes), A340–31A4102 (for A340–211,
–212, –213, –311, –312, and –313 airplanes),
or A340–31A5023 (for Model A340–541 and
–642 airplanes), all dated August 1, 2005, as
applicable. This action may be performed by
the flight deck crew or by certificated
maintenance personnel.
(2) Perform a complete electrical shutdown
of the airplane.
New Requirements of This AD
Installation of New Software
(g) For airplanes other than those identified
in paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 2 days
after the effective date of this AD, or within
4 days after the last reset of the DUs for the
EIS or complete electrical shutdown of the
airplane, whichever is first, do the reset
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD and
repeat thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4
days, until the installation required by
paragraph (h) of this AD has been done.
(h) For all airplanes: Within 7 months after
the effective date of this AD, install EIS2
software standard L6–1 in accordance with
the applicable service bulletin identified in
Table 2 of this AD. Accomplishing the
installation ends the actions required by
paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.
TABLE 2.—SERVICE BULLETINS FOR INSTALLATION OF NEW SOFTWARE
Airbus service bulletin—
For model—
(1) A330–31–3087, dated June 26, 2006 ..........
A330–201, –202, –203, –223, –243, –301, –302, –303, –321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and
–343 airplanes.
A340–211, –212, –213, –311, –312, and –313 airplanes.
A340–541 and –642 airplanes.
(2) A340–31–4100, dated June 26, 2006 ..........
(3) A340–31–5021, dated June 26, 2006 ..........
Additional Requirements
(i) Prior to accomplishing the requirements
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, do the
applicable action(s) specified in Table 3 of
this AD.
TABLE 3.—ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
For airplanes identified in—
Install—
In accordance with Airbus service bulletin—
(1) Paragraph (h)(1) of this AD .........................
(i) EIS2 software standard L5 ..........................
A330–31–3069,
27, 2004.
A330–31–3056,
2003.
A340–31–4087,
27, 2004.
A340–31–5012,
27, 2004.
(ii) Thales display system standard L4 ............
EIS2 software standard L5 ...............................
(3) Paragraph (h)(3) of this AD .........................
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(2) Paragraph (h)(2) of this AD .........................
EIS2 software standard L5 ...............................
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in
accordance with AD 2005–17–18 are
(j)(1) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
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Revision 01, dated December
Revision 02, dated March 24,
Revision 01, dated December
Revision 01, dated December
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding
provisions of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Related Information
(k) European Aviation Safety Agency
airworthiness directive 2006–0196, dated
July 10, 2006, also addresses the subject of
this AD.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 7,
2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7–4741 Filed 3–14–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2007–27212; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–011–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Air Tractor,
Inc. Models AT–602, AT–802, and AT–
802A Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We propose to supersede
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006–22–
08, which applies to all Air Tractor, Inc.
(Air Tractor) Models AT–602, AT–802,
and AT–802A airplanes. AD 2006–22–
08 currently requires you to repetitively
inspect the engine mount for any cracks,
repair or replace any cracked engine
mount, and report any cracks found to
the FAA. Since we issued AD 2006–22–
08, the FAA has received reports of two
Model AT–802A airplanes with cracked
engine mounts (at 2,815 hours time-inservice (TIS) and 1,900 hours TIS)
below the initial compliance time in AD
2006–22–08. The FAA has determined
that an initial inspection at 1,300 hours
TIS is required instead of 4,000 hours
TIS required by AD 2006–22–08.
Consequently, this proposed AD would
retain the actions of AD 2006–22–08
while requiring the initial inspection at
1,300 hours TIS. We are proposing this
AD to detect and correct cracks in the
engine mount, which could result in
failure of the engine mount. Such failure
could lead to separation of the engine
from the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by May 14, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to comment on this proposed
AD:
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
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instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Air Tractor,
Inc., P.O. Box 485, Olney, Texas 76374;
telephone: (940) 564–5616; facsimile:
(940) 564–5612.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer,
ASW–150 (c/o MIDO–43), 10100
Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio,
Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308–
3365; facsimile: (210) 308–3370.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number, ‘‘FAA–2007–27212; Directorate
Identifier 2007–CE–011–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
Two reports from Air Tractor of
cracked engine mounts resulting from
fatigue caused us to issue AD 2006–22–
08, Amendment 39–14805 (71 FR
62910, October 27, 2006). AD 2006–22–
08 currently requires the following on
all Air Tractor Models AT–602, AT–802,
and AT–802A airplanes:
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
12131
• Inspect (initially and repetitively)
the engine mount for any cracks;
• Repair or replace any cracked
engine mount; and
• Report any cracks found to the
FAA.
Since we issued AD 2006–22–08, the
FAA has received reports of two Model
AT–802A airplanes with cracked engine
mounts (at 2,815 hours TIS and 1,900
hours TIS) below the initial compliance
time in AD 2006–22–08. The FAA has
determined that an initial inspection at
1,300 hours TIS is required instead of
4,000 hours TIS as required by AD
2006–22–08.
This condition, if not corrected, could
result in failure of the engine mount.
Such failure could lead to separation of
the engine from the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Snow Engineering
Co. Service Letter #253, dated December
12, 2005, revised January 22, 2007.
The service information describes
procedures for performing a visual
inspection for cracks of the engine
mount and requesting a repair scheme
from the manufacturer.
Snow Engineering Co. has a licensing
agreement with Air Tractor that allows
them to produce technical data to use
for Air Tractor products.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design. This proposed AD would
supersede AD 2006–22–08 with a new
AD that would require you to
repetitively inspect the engine mount
for any cracks, repair or replace any
cracked engine mount, and report any
cracks found to the FAA. To repair a
cracked engine mount, you would
obtain an FAA-approved repair scheme
from Air Tractor following the
instructions in the service information.
This proposed AD would require you
to use the service information described
previously to perform these actions.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 368
airplanes in the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do
each required inspection:
E:\FR\FM\15MRP1.SGM
15MRP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 50 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12127-12131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4741]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27565; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-215-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340-200
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300,
A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642
airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitively resetting
the display units (DUs) for the electronic instrument system (EIS),
either by switching them off and back on again or by performing a
complete electrical shutdown of the airplane. This proposed AD would
require installing new software, which would end the actions required
by the existing AD. This proposed AD also would add additional
airplanes that may be placed on the U.S. Register in the future. This
proposed AD results from an incident in which all of the DUs for the
EIS went blank simultaneously during flight. We are proposing this AD
to prevent automatic reset of the DUs for the EIS during flight and
consequent loss of data from the DUs, which could reduce the ability of
the flightcrew to control the airplane during adverse flight
conditions.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``Docket No.
FAA-2007-27565; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-215-AD'' at the
beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the
proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
[[Page 12128]]
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
On August 18, 2005, we issued AD 2005-17-18, amendment 39-14239 (70
FR 50166, August 26, 2005), for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-
300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -
642 airplanes. That AD requires repetitively resetting the display
units (DUs) for the electronic instrument system (EIS), either by
switching them off and back on again or by performing a complete
electrical shutdown of the airplane. That AD resulted from an incident
in which all of the DUs for the EIS went blank simultaneously during
flight. We issued that AD to prevent automatic reset of the DUs for the
EIS during flight and consequent loss of data from the DUs, which could
reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane during
adverse flight conditions.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
After the issuance of AD 2005-17-18, the Direction
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, issued French emergency
airworthiness directive UF-2005-166, dated September 23, 2005, which
was superseded by F-2005-166 R1, dated October 26, 2005. Those French
airworthiness directives cancelled French airworthiness directive UF-
2005-150, dated August 10, 2005 (referred to in AD 2005-17-18), and
required that the resets be done only by the aircraft flightcrew in
accordance with Airbus A330 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary
Revision (TR) 4.03.00/26 and A340 AFM TR 4.03.00/37, both dated October
11, 2005; as applicable. We determined at that time that further
rulemaking was not necessary, because AD 2005-17-18 adequately
addresses the unsafe condition by requiring the resets to be done
either by certificated maintenance personnel or by the flightcrew. In
addition, we approved TRs 4.03.00/26 and 4.03.00/37 as alternative
methods of compliance (AMOC) to the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD
2005-17-18 (addressed in paragraph (j)(3) of this proposed AD).
In the preamble to AD 2005-17-18, we specified that the actions
required by that AD were considered ``interim action'' and that the
manufacturer was developing a modification to address the unsafe
condition. We indicated that we may consider further rulemaking once
the modification was developed, approved, and available. The
manufacturer now has developed such a modification, and we now have
determined that further rulemaking action is indeed necessary; this
proposed AD follows from that determination.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the primary service bulletins in the following
table:
Primary Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Service Bulletin-- For Model--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-31-3087, dated June 26, 2006.... A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243,
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -
323, -341, -342, and -343
airplanes.
A340-31-4100, dated June 26, 2006.... A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312,
and -313 airplanes.
A340-31-5021, dated June 26, 2006.... A340-541 and -642 airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
These primary service bulletins describe procedures for installing
electronic instrument system 2 (EIS2) software standard L6-1, which
would end the actions required by AD 2005-17-18.
Airbus also has issued the service bulletins in the following
table:
Additional Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Which must be done
prior to the
Airbus Service Bulletin-- Describes actions specified
procedures for-- in Airbus Service
Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-31-3069, Revision 01, dated Installing EIS2 A330-31-3087,
December 27, 2004. software standard dated June 26,
L5. 2006.
A330-31-3056, Revision 02, dated Installing Thales A330-31-3087,
March 24, 2003. display system dated June 26,
standard L4. 2006.
A340-31-4087, Revision 01, dated Installing EIS2 A340-31-4100,
December 27, 2004. software standard dated June 26,
L5. 2006.
A340-31-5012, Revision 01, dated Installing EIS2 A340-31-5021,
December 27, 2004. software standard dated June 26,
L5. 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union, mandated the service information
and issued EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0196, dated July 10, 2006
(which cancels French airworthiness directive F-2005-166 R1), to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the European Union.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness
[[Page 12129]]
agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the EASA
has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have
examined the EASA's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and
determined that AD action is necessary for airplanes of this type
design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
This proposed AD would supersede AD 2005-17-18 and would retain the
requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require
accomplishing the actions specified in service bulletins described
previously, which would end the repetitive actions required by AD 2005-
17-18. This proposed AD also would add additional airplanes that are
subject to the identified unsafe condition of this proposed AD and that
may be placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
Difference Between the EASA Airworthiness Directive and This Proposed
AD
The applicability of EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0196
excludes certain airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A330-31-
3087, A340-31-4100, or A340-31-5021 has been done in service. However,
we have not excluded those airplanes in the applicability of this
proposed AD; rather, this proposed AD includes a requirement to
accomplish the actions specified in the original issue of those service
bulletins. This requirement would ensure that the actions specified in
the service bulletins and required by this proposed AD are accomplished
on all affected airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the
airplane in the configuration required by this proposed AD unless an
AMOC is approved.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate per hour is
$80.
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of U.S.-
Action Work hour(s) Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
airplane airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resetting the DUs (required 1.............. None........... $80, per reset. 27 $2,160, per
by AD 2005-17-18). reset.
Installation of new software 3.............. The $240........... 27 $6,480.
(new proposed action). manufacturer
states that it
will supply
required parts
to the
operators at
no cost.
Additional requirement (new Between 1 and 5 The Between $80 and 27 Between $2,160
proposed action). depending on manufacturer $400, and $10,800,
the airplane states that it depending on depending on
configuration. will supply the airplane the
required parts configuration. configuration
to the of the fleet.
operators at
no cost.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 have 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 that the 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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
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]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
removing amendment 39-14239 (70 FR 50166, August 26, 2005) and adding
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-27565; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
215-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 16,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-17-18.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes;
certificated in any category; on which one of the Airbus Electronic
Instrument System 2 (EIS2) software versions listed in Table 1 of
this AD
[[Page 12130]]
is installed; excluding those airplanes on which Airbus Modification
53063 has been done in production.
Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installed by Or installed by one
this Airbus of these Airbus
EIS2 software version modification in service bulletins in
production service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
L4-1............................ 51153 A330-31-3056, A330-
31-3057, or A340-31-
5001.
L5.............................. 51974 A330-31-3056, A330-
31-3069, A340-31-
4087, or A340-31-
5012.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from an incident in which all of the display
units (DUs) for the EIS went blank simultaneously during flight. We
are issuing this AD to prevent automatic reset of the DUs for the
EIS during flight and consequent loss of data from the DUs, which
could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane
during adverse flight conditions.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Requirements of AD 2005-17-18
Resetting the DUs for the EIS
(f) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -
322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212,
-213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes: Within 2 days
after September 12, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-17-18), or
within 4 days after the last reset of the DUs for the EIS or
complete electrical shutdown of the airplane, whichever is first:
Reset the DUs for the EIS by doing the actions in either paragraph
(f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD. Thereafter, do the actions in paragraph
(f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 4 days.
(1) Switch off each DU for the EIS, wait 5 seconds or longer,
and switch the DU back on again, in accordance with Airbus All
Operator Telex (AOT) A330-31A3092 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -
223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes),
A340-31A4102 (for A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313
airplanes), or A340-31A5023 (for Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes),
all dated August 1, 2005, as applicable. This action may be
performed by the flight deck crew or by certificated maintenance
personnel.
(2) Perform a complete electrical shutdown of the airplane.
New Requirements of This AD
Installation of New Software
(g) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (f)
of this AD: Within 2 days after the effective date of this AD, or
within 4 days after the last reset of the DUs for the EIS or
complete electrical shutdown of the airplane, whichever is first, do
the reset specified in paragraph (f) of this AD and repeat
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4 days, until the installation
required by paragraph (h) of this AD has been done.
(h) For all airplanes: Within 7 months after the effective date
of this AD, install EIS2 software standard L6-1 in accordance with
the applicable service bulletin identified in Table 2 of this AD.
Accomplishing the installation ends the actions required by
paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.
Table 2.--Service Bulletins for Installation of New Software
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus service bulletin-- For model--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A330-31-3087, dated June 26, 2006 A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243,
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -
323, -341, -342, and -343
airplanes.
(2) A340-31-4100, dated June 26, 2006 A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312,
and -313 airplanes.
(3) A340-31-5021, dated June 26, 2006 A340-541 and -642 airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Requirements
(i) Prior to accomplishing the requirements specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, do the applicable action(s) specified in
Table 3 of this AD.
Table 3.--Additional Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with
For airplanes identified in-- Install-- Airbus service
bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. (i) EIS2 software A330-31-3069,
standard L5. Revision 01,
dated December
27, 2004.
(ii) Thales A330-31-3056,
display system Revision 02,
standard L4. dated March 24,
2003.
(2) Paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. EIS2 software A340-31-4087,
standard L5. Revision 01,
dated December
27, 2004.
(3) Paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. EIS2 software A340-31-5012,
standard L5. Revision 01,
dated December
27, 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-17-18
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph
(f) of this AD.
Related Information
(k) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive
2006-0196, dated July 10, 2006, also addresses the subject of this
AD.
[[Page 12131]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 7, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-4741 Filed 3-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
