Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Airplanes, 14497-14500 [E7-5656]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Proposed Rules 2196–200; sections 1506 and 1510 of Pub. L. 106–386, 114 Stat. 1527–29, 1531–32; section 1505 of Pub. L. 106–554, 114 Stat. 2763A– 326 to –328. 2. Section 1003.14 is amended by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a) to read as follows: § 1003.14 Jurisdiction and commencement of proceedings. (a) When DHS files a charging document with an immigration court, proceedings commence and jurisdiction vests with the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge within the Executive Office for Immigration Review. * * * * * * * * 3. The section heading and paragraph (a) of section 1003.20 are revised to read as follows: pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS § 1003.20 Venue; change of venue. (a) Venue lies at the designated place for the hearing as identified by the Department of Homeland Security on the charging document. If the charging document does not identify the place of the hearing, venue shall lie at the place of the hearing identified on the initial hearing notice, issued by the immigration court in accordance with § 1003.18(b). (1) Venue remains at the designated hearing location unless an immigration judge has granted a motion for change of venue as provided in this section, except that the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge may provide for administrative transfers of proceedings from one hearing location to another hearing location in the same vicinity, with proper notice to the parties, if such a transfer is appropriate because the alien is released from custody, is taken into custody, or, upon release from a federal or state correctional facility, is transferred into DHS custody. (2) Venue lies at the designated hearing location, even if the immigration judge or any party or representative is not physically present at the hearing location and participates in the hearing through telephone or video conference. In that circumstance, the immigration judge shall clearly identify on the record the hearing location and the location of the immigration judge and the parties or representatives, if different. (3) The use and location of an administrative control court for the filing of documents and the creation and maintenance of records of proceedings, as described in § 1003.11, does not affect the venue of the case or the hearing location as provided in this section, nor does the venue of the case or the hearing location affect the use or VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:33 Mar 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 location of the administrative control court. (4) For purposes of judicial review of a final order of removal, as provided in section 242(b)(2) of the Act, the immigration judge is deemed to complete the proceedings at the final hearing location, without regard to whether the immigration judge, or any party, representative, witness or other person participates in the final hearing through telephone or video conference. For purposes of this provision, the final hearing location refers to the place of the hearing identified on the notice for the final hearing. * * * * * Dated: March 22, 2007. Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General. [FR Doc. E7–5629 Filed 3–27–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–30–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2007–27715; Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–140–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 all Airbus Model A330–200, A330–300, A340–200, and A340–300 series airplanes; and Model A340–541 and A340–642 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires operators to revise the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate new information. This information includes, for all affected airplanes, decreased life limit values for certain components; and for Model A330–200 and -300 series airplanes, new inspections, compliance times, and new repetitive intervals to detect fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in certain structures. This proposed AD would revise the ALS, for all affected airplanes, by adding new Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALIs) to incorporate service life limits for certain items and inspections to detect fatigue cracking, PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 14497 accidental damage or corrosion in certain structures, in accordance with the revised ALS of the ICA. This proposed AD results from the issuance of new and more restrictive service life limits and structural inspections based on fatigue testing and in-service findings. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural elements, and to prevent failure of certain life-limited parts, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 27, 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, FAA, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056; 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–2007–27715; Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–140– 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:// E:\FR\FM\28MRP1.SGM 28MRP1 14498 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Proposed Rules 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. 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. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS Discussion On April 20, 2006, we issued AD 2006–09–07, amendment 39–14577 (71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006), for all Airbus Model A330–200, A330–300, A340–200, and A340–300 series airplanes; and Model A340–541 and A340–642 airplanes. That AD requires operators to revise the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new information. This information includes, for all affected airplanes, decreased life limit values for certain components; and for Model A330–200 and –300 series airplanes, new inspections, compliance times, and new repetitive intervals to detect fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in certain structures. That AD resulted from a revision to subsection 9– 1 of the Airbus A330 and A340 Maintenance Planning Documents (MPD) for Life limits/Monitored parts, and subsection 9–2 of the Airbus A330 MPD for Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALIs). We issued that AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion, which could result in reduced structural integrity of these airplanes. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:33 Mar 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued Since we issued AD 2006–09–07, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on all Airbus Model A330–200, A330–300, A340–200, and A340–300 series airplanes; and Model A340–541 and A340–642 airplanes. The EASA advises that Airbus has issued new service life limits and structural inspections based upon fatigue testing and in-service findings. Fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural elements and failure of certain life limited parts, if not corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. The EASA also advises that Airbus has moved the service life limits from the A330/A340 MPDs into the applicable ALS Part 1. Airbus has also revised Document AI/SE–M4/95A.0089/ 97, ‘‘A330 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALIs),’’ Issue 12, dated November 1, 2003, to Issue 14, dated October 10, 2005. The revision to the ALIs adds new tasks to those specified in Issue 12; therefore, the revision has been added to the new requirements in this AD. In addition, a new revision to the A340 ALS adds Airbus Document AI/SE–M4/ 95A.0051/97, ‘‘A340 Airworthiness Limitations Items,’’ Issue 9, dated January 17, 2006. Incorporating these revisions into the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued structural integrity of these airplanes. Relevant Service Information Airbus has issued A330 and A340 ALS Part 1—Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items, dated March 23, 2006, Sub-part 1–2 , ‘‘Life Limits,’’ and Subpart 1–3, ‘‘Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,’’ of both ALS Part 1 documents to specify new and more restrictive service life limits for certain ALIs. Airbus has also issued A330 and A340 ALS Part 2, Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items, dated January 17, 2006. The ALS Part 2 document refers to Airbus Document AI/SE–M4/95A.0089/97, ‘‘A330 Airworthiness Limitations Items,’’ Issue 14, dated October 10, 2005; and Airbus Document AI/SE–M4/95A.0051/97, ‘‘A340 Airworthiness Limitations Items,’’ Issue 9, dated January 17, 2006 (both approved by the EASA on February 25, 2006). Part 2 references the ALI documents for damage tolerance PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 inspections but does not contain them. The documents specify new and more restrictive inspections for structural items. Accomplishment of the actions specified in these documents is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated these documents and issued EASA airworthiness directives 2006–0129 and 2006–0130, both dated May 22, 2006; and 2006–0307 and 2006–0308, both dated October 10, 2006; to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the European Union. Explanation of Change to Applicability We have revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify model designations as published in the EASA airworthiness directive for the affected models. 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 agreement. As described in FAA Order 8100.14A, ‘‘Interim Procedures for Working with the European Community on Airworthiness Certification and Continued Airworthiness,’’ dated August 12, 2005, 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 2006–09–07 and would retain the requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require revising the ALS, for all affected airplanes, by adding new ALIs to incorporate service life limits for certain items and inspections to detect fatigue cracking, accidental damage or corrosion in certain structures, in accordance with the revised ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. Costs of Compliance This proposed AD would affect about 28 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD. E:\FR\FM\28MRP1.SGM 28MRP1 14499 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Proposed Rules ESTIMATED COSTS Work hour Action Revise the ALS, required by AD 2006–09–07 ... Revise the ALS, new proposed action ............... Average labor rate per hour 1 1 $80 80 Parts None ........... None ........... Authority for This Rulemaking The Proposed Amendment 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. Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:33 Mar 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 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 39–14577 (71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006) and adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2007–27715; Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–140–AD. Comments Due Date (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 27, 2007. Affected ADs (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006–09–07. Applicability (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (j) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25–1529–1. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD results from the issuance of new and more restrictive service life limits and structural inspections based on fatigue testing and in-service findings. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural elements, which could PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4702 Cost per airplane Sfmt 4702 Number of U.S.-registered airplanes $80 80 Fleet cost 20 28 $1,600 2,240 result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. 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. Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006– 09–07 Airworthiness Limitations Revision (f) Within 3 months after June 7, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006–09–07): Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating into the ALS the documents in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, as applicable. (1) Airbus Document AI/SE–M4/95A.0089/ 97, ‘‘A330 Airworthiness Limitations Items,’’ Issue 12, dated November 1, 2003, as specified in Section 9–2 of the Airbus A330 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD). (2) Section 9–1, ‘‘Life limits/Monitored parts,’’ Revision 05, dated April 7, 2005, of the Airbus A330 and A340 MPDs. (g) Except as provided by paragraph (h) or (j) of this AD: After the actions in paragraph (f) of this AD have been accomplished, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be approved for the structural elements specified in the documents listed in paragraph (f) of this AD. New Requirements of This AD ALS Revision (h) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate the documents specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, as applicable. Accomplishing the revision in this paragraph terminates the requirements in paragraph (f) of this AD. (1) Airbus Document AI/SE–M4/95A.0089/ 97, ‘‘A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items (ALI),’’ Issue 14, dated October 10, 2005; or Airbus Document AI/SE–M4/95A.0051/97, ‘‘A340 Airworthiness Limitations Items,’’ Issue 9, dated January 17, 2006. (2) Sub-part 1–2 ‘‘Life Limits,’’ and Subpart 1–3 ‘‘Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,’’ of Airbus A330 or A340 ALS Part 1, ‘‘Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items,’’ dated March 23, 2006, as applicable. (i) Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD: After the actions in paragraph (h) of this AD have been accomplished, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be approved for the structural elements specified in the documents listed in paragraph (f) of this AD. E:\FR\FM\28MRP1.SGM 28MRP1 14500 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Proposed Rules 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 § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (k) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directives 2006–0129 and 2006–0130, both dated May 22, 2006; and 2006–0307 and 2006–0308, both dated October 10, 2006; also address the subject of this AD. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7–5656 Filed 3–27–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2007–27714; Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–277–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146–RJ Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: There are four ECS (environmental control system) grilles located in the flight deck side consoles. There have been occurrences where a grille has become detached during flight. There is a risk that a loose grille could foul the rudder pedals and interfere with rudder/ brake control resulting in an unsafe condition. The unsafe condition is a rudder pedal restriction or jam, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:33 Mar 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 27, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: • DOT Docket Web Site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590– 0001. • 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: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; 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 Office (telephone (800) 647– 5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1175; (425) 227–1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Streamlined Issuance of AD The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products. This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language principles. 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–2007–27714; Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–277–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 https:// dms.dot.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 Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006–0342, dated November 9, 2006 (referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: There are four ECS (environmental control system) grilles located in the flight deck side consoles. There have been occurrences where a grille has become detached during flight. There is a risk that a loose grille could foul the rudder pedals and interfere with rudder/ brake control resulting in an unsafe condition. The unsafe condition is a rudder pedal restriction or jam, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. The MCAI requires modifying the grilles. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket. Relevant Service Information BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has issued Modification Service Bulletins SB.25–495–60730A, dated March 14, 2006; and Revision 1, dated May 9, 2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. 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 E:\FR\FM\28MRP1.SGM 28MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14497-14500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5656]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27715; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-140-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, 
A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and A340-
642 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires operators to revise 
the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate new information. This 
information includes, for all affected airplanes, decreased life limit 
values for certain components; and for Model A330-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, new inspections, compliance times, and new repetitive 
intervals to detect fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion 
in certain structures. This proposed AD would revise the ALS, for all 
affected airplanes, by adding new Airworthiness Limitations Items 
(ALIs) to incorporate service life limits for certain items and 
inspections to detect fatigue cracking, accidental damage or corrosion 
in certain structures, in accordance with the revised ALS of the ICA. 
This proposed AD results from the issuance of new and more restrictive 
service life limits and structural inspections based on fatigue testing 
and in-service findings. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal 
structural elements, and to prevent failure of certain life-limited 
parts, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 27, 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, FAA, International Branch, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; 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-2007-27715; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-140-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://

[[Page 14498]]

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.

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 April 20, 2006, we issued AD 2006-09-07, amendment 39-14577 (71 
FR 25919, May 3, 2006), for all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-
200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and A340-642 
airplanes. That AD requires operators to revise the Airworthiness 
Limitations section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness to incorporate new information. This information 
includes, for all affected airplanes, decreased life limit values for 
certain components; and for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, 
new inspections, compliance times, and new repetitive intervals to 
detect fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in certain 
structures. That AD resulted from a revision to subsection 9-1 of the 
Airbus A330 and A340 Maintenance Planning Documents (MPD) for Life 
limits/Monitored parts, and subsection 9-2 of the Airbus A330 MPD for 
Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALIs). We issued that AD to detect and 
correct fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of these airplanes.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2006-09-07, the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on 
all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series 
airplanes; and Model A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes. The EASA advises 
that Airbus has issued new service life limits and structural 
inspections based upon fatigue testing and in-service findings. Fatigue 
cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural 
elements and failure of certain life limited parts, if not corrected, 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
    The EASA also advises that Airbus has moved the service life limits 
from the A330/A340 MPDs into the applicable ALS Part 1. Airbus has also 
revised Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness Limitations 
Items (ALIs),'' Issue 12, dated November 1, 2003, to Issue 14, dated 
October 10, 2005. The revision to the ALIs adds new tasks to those 
specified in Issue 12; therefore, the revision has been added to the 
new requirements in this AD. In addition, a new revision to the A340 
ALS adds Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0051/97, ``A340 Airworthiness 
Limitations Items,'' Issue 9, dated January 17, 2006.
    Incorporating these revisions into the ALS of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued structural 
integrity of these airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A330 and A340 ALS Part 1--Safe Life Airworthiness 
Limitation Items, dated March 23, 2006, Sub-part 1-2 , ``Life Limits,'' 
and Sub-part 1-3, ``Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,'' of both ALS Part 1 
documents to specify new and more restrictive service life limits for 
certain ALIs.
    Airbus has also issued A330 and A340 ALS Part 2, Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items, dated January 17, 2006. The ALS Part 2 
document refers to Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 
Airworthiness Limitations Items,'' Issue 14, dated October 10, 2005; 
and Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0051/97, ``A340 Airworthiness 
Limitations Items,'' Issue 9, dated January 17, 2006 (both approved by 
the EASA on February 25, 2006). Part 2 references the ALI documents for 
damage tolerance inspections but does not contain them. The documents 
specify new and more restrictive inspections for structural items.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in these documents is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated 
these documents and issued EASA airworthiness directives 2006-0129 and 
2006-0130, both dated May 22, 2006; and 2006-0307 and 2006-0308, both 
dated October 10, 2006; to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in the European Union.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify 
model designations as published in the EASA airworthiness directive for 
the affected models.

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 agreement. As described in FAA 
Order 8100.14A, ``Interim Procedures for Working with the European 
Community on Airworthiness Certification and Continued Airworthiness,'' 
dated August 12, 2005, 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 2006-09-07 and would retain the 
requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require 
revising the ALS, for all affected airplanes, by adding new ALIs to 
incorporate service life limits for certain items and inspections to 
detect fatigue cracking, accidental damage or corrosion in certain 
structures, in accordance with the revised ALS of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 28 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

[[Page 14499]]



                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                          Number of U.S.-
                   Action                     Work hour   Average labor               Parts                  Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                          rate per hour                                      airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the ALS, required by AD 2006-09-07...          1             $80  None...........................             $80              20          $1,600
Revise the ALS, new proposed action.........          1              80  None...........................              80              28           2,240
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 39-14577 (71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-27715; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
140-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 27, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-09-07.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (j) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA 
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular 
(AC) 25-1529-1.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the issuance of new and more 
restrictive service life limits and structural inspections based on 
fatigue testing and in-service findings. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion 
in principal structural elements, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

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.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006-09-07

Airworthiness Limitations Revision

    (f) Within 3 months after June 7, 2006 (the effective date of AD 
2006-09-07): Revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating into 
the ALS the documents in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (1) Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness 
Limitations Items,'' Issue 12, dated November 1, 2003, as specified 
in Section 9-2 of the Airbus A330 Maintenance Planning Document 
(MPD).
    (2) Section 9-1, ``Life limits/Monitored parts,'' Revision 05, 
dated April 7, 2005, of the Airbus A330 and A340 MPDs.
    (g) Except as provided by paragraph (h) or (j) of this AD: After 
the actions in paragraph (f) of this AD have been accomplished, no 
alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be approved for 
the structural elements specified in the documents listed in 
paragraph (f) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

ALS Revision

    (h) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to 
incorporate the documents specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) 
of this AD, as applicable. Accomplishing the revision in this 
paragraph terminates the requirements in paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items (ALI),'' Issue 14, dated October 10, 2005; or 
Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0051/97, ``A340 Airworthiness 
Limitations Items,'' Issue 9, dated January 17, 2006.
    (2) Sub-part 1-2 ``Life Limits,'' and Sub-part 1-3 
``Demonstrated Fatigue Lives,'' of Airbus A330 or A340 ALS Part 1, 
``Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' dated March 23, 2006, 
as applicable.
    (i) Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD: After the 
actions in paragraph (h) of this AD have been accomplished, no 
alternative inspections or inspection intervals may be approved for 
the structural elements specified in the documents listed in 
paragraph (f) of this AD.

[[Page 14500]]

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.

Related Information

    (k) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directives 
2006-0129 and 2006-0130, both dated May 22, 2006; and 2006-0307 and 
2006-0308, both dated October 10, 2006; also address the subject of 
this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-5656 Filed 3-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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