Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes, 21651-21655 [2014-08727]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Proposed Rules
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
425–227–1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8,
2014.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–08726 Filed 4–16–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0236; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NM–184–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A300 series airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by our
determination of the need to incorporate
new life limits for the main landing gear
(MLG) barrel assembly, retraction
actuator assembly linkage, and flange
duct. This proposed AD would require
revising the maintenance or inspection
program to include the new life limits.
We are proposing this AD to prevent
reduced structural integrity of the
airplane and possible loss of
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by June 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Airbus SAS,
Airworthiness Office—EAW, 1 Rond
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:53 Apr 16, 2014
Jkt 232001
Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36
96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
Internet https://www.airbus.com. You
may view this service information at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA.
For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425–227–
1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2014–
0236; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The
street address for the Docket Operations
office (telephone (800) 647–5527) is in
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM 116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2125;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments
to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2014–0236; Directorate Identifier
2013–NM–184–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://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013–0210,
dated September 11, 2013 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
21651
Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the
MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition
for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
Some life limits previously defined in
Revision 00 of A300 ALS [airworthiness
limitations section] Part 1 have been removed
[from] that document at Revision 01 and
should normally be included in an ALS
Part 4.
At this time, there are no plans to issue an
ALS Part 4 for A300 aeroplanes.
Nevertheless, failure to comply with these
life limits could result in an unsafe
condition.
For the reasons described above, it has
been decided to require the application of
these life limits through a separate [EASA]
AD. Consequently, this [EASA] AD requires
application of life limits applicable to Main
Landing Gear (MLG) barrel assembly,
retraction actuator assembly linkage
assembly and flanged duct which were
previously contained in Airbus ALS Part 1
Revision 00.
EASA AD 2007–0293 [which corresponds
with FAA AD 2009–18–15, Amendment 39–
16011 (74 FR 48143, September 22, 2009)],
which required compliance with the actions
specified in ALS Part 1, will be superseded
by a new [EASA] AD, requiring compliance
with ALS Part 1 at Revision 1.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2014–
0236.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by
the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the State of
Design Authority, we have been notified
of the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this
AD because we evaluated all pertinent
information and determined an unsafe
condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
This AD requires revisions to certain
operator maintenance documents to
include new actions (e.g., inspections).
Compliance with these actions is
required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For
airplanes that have been previously
modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by this proposed AD,
the operator may not be able to
accomplish the actions 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 the
procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1)
of this AD. The request should include
a description of changes to the required
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17APP1
21652
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Proposed Rules
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD
affects 7 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take
about 1 work-hour per product to
comply with the basic requirements of
this proposed AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of
this proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $595, or $85 per product.
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.
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD
would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This
proposed AD would not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on
the relationship between the national
Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify this proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in
Alaska; and
4. Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:53 Apr 16, 2014
Jkt 232001
(h) No Alternative Actions and Intervals
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
inspections that will ensure the
continued operational safety of the
airplane.
After accomplishing the revision required
by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be
used unless the actions or intervals are
approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of
this AD.
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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2014–0236;
Directorate Identifier 2013–NM–184–AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 2,
2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Model A300
B2–1A, B2–1C, B2K–3C, B2–203, B4–2C, B4–
103, and B4–203 airplanes, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 32, Landing Gear; 36,
Pneumatic.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by our
determination of the need to incorporate new
life limits for the main landing gear (MLG)
barrel assembly, retraction actuator assembly
linkage, and flange duct. We are issuing this
AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of
the airplane and possible loss of
controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Revise the Maintenance or Inspection
Program
Within 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, to incorporate the life
limits specified in Appendix 1 of this AD
into the Airbus A300 ALS Part 1. The initial
compliance time for the replacement is
identified in Appendix 1 of this AD and is
prior to the applicable life limits specified in
Appendix 1 of this AD or within 90 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, International
Branch, ANM–116, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the International Branch, send it to ATTN:
Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356;
telephone (425) 227–2125; fax (425) 227–
1149. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
Before using any approved AMOC, notify
your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of
the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC
approval letter must specifically reference
this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement
in this AD to obtain corrective actions from
a manufacturer, use these actions if they are
FAA-approved. Corrective actions are
considered FAA-approved if they were
approved by the State of Design Authority (or
its delegated agent, or the DAH with a State
of Design Authority’s design organization
approval, as applicable). You are required to
ensure the product is airworthy before it is
returned to service.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) issued
European Aviation Safety Agency
Airworthiness Directive 2013–0210, dated
September 11, 2013, for related information.
This MCAI may be found in the AD docket
on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2014–0236.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness
Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France;
telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@
airbus.com; Internet https://www.airbus.com.
You may view this service information at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
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Assembly, Retraction Actuator Assembly Linkage, and Flange Duct
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17APP1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Proposed Rules
14:53 Apr 16, 2014
Appendix 1 to Docket No. FAA-2014-0236 - New Life Limits for the Main Landing Gear (MLG) Barrel
21653
EP17AP14.008
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
21654
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Assembly, Retraction Actuator Assembly Linkage, and Flange Duct (continued)
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17APP1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Proposed Rules
14:53 Apr 16, 2014
EP17AP14.009
Appendix 1 to Docket No. FAA-2014-0236 - New Life Limits for the Main Landing Gear (MLG) Barrel
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 74 / Thursday, April 17, 2014 / Proposed Rules
Docket FAA–2014–0236.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8,
2014.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–08727 Filed 4–16–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–C
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2014–0232; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NM–100–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
We propose to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
the Boeing Company Model DC–9–10,
DC–9–20, DC–9–30, DC–9–40, and DC–
9–50 series airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by an evaluation by the
design approval holder (DAH)
indicating that the bulkhead dome tees,
which connect the bulkhead web to the
fuselage, are subject to widespread
fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed
AD would require repetitive inspections
of the improved ventral aft pressure
bulkhead tees and replacement if
necessary. We are proposing this AD to
detect and correct fatigue cracking of the
bulkhead dome tees, which could result
in reduced structural integrity and rapid
decompression of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by June 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments,
using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202–493–2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Boeing
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:53 Apr 16, 2014
Jkt 232001
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data
& Services Management, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800–0019,
Long Beach, CA 90846–0001; telephone
206–544–5000, extension 2; fax 206–
766–5683; Internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view
this referenced service information at
the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call 425–227–1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2014–
0232; 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
(phone: 800–647–5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric
Schrieber, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM–120L, FAA, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
CA 90712–4137; phone: 562–627–5348;
fax: 562–627–5210; email:
eric.schrieber@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written
relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposal. Send your comments to
an address listed under the ADDRESSES
section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2014–0232; Directorate Identifier 2013–
NM–100–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 because of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive
about this proposed AD.
Discussion
Structural fatigue damage is
progressive. It begins as minute cracks,
and those cracks grow under the action
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
21655
of repeated stresses. This can happen
because of normal operational
conditions and design attributes, or
because of isolated situations or
incidents such as material defects, poor
fabrication quality, or corrosion pits,
dings, or scratches. Fatigue damage can
occur locally, in small areas or
structural design details, or globally.
Global fatigue damage is general
degradation of large areas of structure
with similar structural details and stress
levels. Multiple-site damage is global
damage that occurs in a large structural
element such as a single rivet line of a
lap splice joining two large skin panels.
Global damage can also occur in
multiple elements such as adjacent
frames or stringers. Multiple-site
damage and multiple-element damage
cracks are typically too small initially to
be reliably detected with normal
inspection methods. Without
intervention, these cracks will grow,
and eventually compromise the
structural integrity of the airplane, in a
condition known as WFD. As an
airplane ages, WFD will likely occur,
and will certainly occur if the airplane
is operated long enough without any
intervention.
The FAA’s WFD final rule (75 FR
69746, November 15, 2010) became
effective on January 14, 2011. The WFD
rule requires certain actions to prevent
structural failure due to WFD
throughout the operational life of
certain existing transport category
airplanes and all of these airplanes that
will be certificated in the future. For
existing and future airplanes subject to
the WFD rule, the rule requires that
DAHs establish a limit of validity (LOV)
of the engineering data that support the
structural maintenance program.
Operators affected by the WFD rule may
not fly an airplane beyond its LOV,
unless an extended LOV is approved.
The WFD rule (75 FR 69746,
November 15, 2010) does not require
identifying and developing maintenance
actions if the DAHs can show that such
actions are not necessary to prevent
WFD before the airplane reaches the
LOV. Many LOVs, however, do depend
on accomplishment of future
maintenance actions. As stated in the
WFD rule, any maintenance actions
necessary to reach the LOV will be
mandated by airworthiness directives
through separate rulemaking actions.
In the context of WFD, this action is
necessary to enable DAHs to propose
LOVs that allow operators the longest
operational lives for their airplanes, and
still ensure that WFD will not occur.
This approach allows for an
implementation strategy that provides
flexibility to DAHs in determining the
E:\FR\FM\17APP1.SGM
17APP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 74 (Thursday, April 17, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21651-21655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08727]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0236; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-184-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by
our determination of the need to incorporate new life limits for the
main landing gear (MLG) barrel assembly, retraction actuator assembly
linkage, and flange duct. This proposed AD would require revising the
maintenance or inspection program to include the new life limits. We
are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the
airplane and possible loss of controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet https://www.airbus.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-
227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0236; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125;
fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0236;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-184-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://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0210, dated September 11, 2013 (referred
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
Some life limits previously defined in Revision 00 of A300 ALS
[airworthiness limitations section] Part 1 have been removed [from]
that document at Revision 01 and should normally be included in an
ALS Part 4.
At this time, there are no plans to issue an ALS Part 4 for A300
aeroplanes.
Nevertheless, failure to comply with these life limits could
result in an unsafe condition.
For the reasons described above, it has been decided to require
the application of these life limits through a separate [EASA] AD.
Consequently, this [EASA] AD requires application of life limits
applicable to Main Landing Gear (MLG) barrel assembly, retraction
actuator assembly linkage assembly and flanged duct which were
previously contained in Airbus ALS Part 1 Revision 00.
EASA AD 2007-0293 [which corresponds with FAA AD 2009-18-15,
Amendment 39-16011 (74 FR 48143, September 22, 2009)], which
required compliance with the actions specified in ALS Part 1, will
be superseded by a new [EASA] AD, requiring compliance with ALS Part
1 at Revision 1.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0236.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with
these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have
been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed
by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the
actions 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 the procedures specified in paragraph
(i)(1) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes
to the required
[[Page 21652]]
inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the
airplane.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 7 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $595, or $85 per
product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0236; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
184-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by June 2, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C,
B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear; 36, Pneumatic.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by our determination of the need to
incorporate new life limits for the main landing gear (MLG) barrel
assembly, retraction actuator assembly linkage, and flange duct. We
are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the
airplane and possible loss of controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revise the Maintenance or Inspection Program
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the
life limits specified in Appendix 1 of this AD into the Airbus A300
ALS Part 1. The initial compliance time for the replacement is
identified in Appendix 1 of this AD and is prior to the applicable
life limits specified in Appendix 1 of this AD or within 90 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(h) No Alternative Actions and Intervals
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may
be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(i) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International
Branch, send it to ATTN: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-
2125; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must
specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer, use these actions if they
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its
delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's
design organization approval, as applicable). You are required to
ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) issued European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2013-0210, dated September 11, 2013, for related
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2014-0236.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96;
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
Internet https://www.airbus.com. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
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Docket FAA-2014-0236.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8, 2014.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08727 Filed 4-16-14; 8:45 am]
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