Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-06-06 for all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. AD 2009-06-06 currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations and maintenance tasks for aging systems maintenance. Since we issued AD 2009-06-06, we have determined that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity and reduced control of these airplanes due to the failure of system components.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: 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 http://www.airbus.com.

You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0173; 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-2014-0173; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-069-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

On February 27, 2009, we issued AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009). AD 2009-06-06 requires actions intended to address an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes.

Since we issued AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009), we have determined that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0075, dated March 20, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. The MCAI states:

The airworthiness limitations for Airbus aeroplanes are currently published in Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) documents.

The mandatory instructions and airworthiness limitations applicable to the Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM) are specified in Airbus A310 or A300-600 ALS Part 4 documents, which are approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). EASA AD 2007-0092 [ http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2007_0092.pdf/AD_2007-0092 ] [which corresponds to FAA AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842] was issued to require compliance to the requirements as specified in these documents.

The revision 02 of Airbus A310 and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4 documents introduces more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply with the instructions of ALS Part 4 could result in an unsafe condition.

For the reasons described above, this new AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 2007-0092, which is superseded, and requires the implementation of the new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations as specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4, Revision 02, or Airbus A300-600 ALS Parr 4, Revision 02, as applicable to aeroplane type/model.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0173.

Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated November 30, 2012 (for Model A310 series airplanes); and A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated April 18, 2012 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes). 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 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 156 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The ALS revision required by AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009), and retained in this proposed AD takes about 1 work-hour per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions that were required by AD 2009-06-06 is $85 per product.

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 $13,260, 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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

2. Amend § 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 ( 74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009), and adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2014-0173; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-069-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by May 12, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD supersedes AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; A300 F4-605R and F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Code 32, Flight controls.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity and reduced control of these airplanes due to the failure of system components.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) To Incorporate Limitations and Maintenance Tasks for Ageing Systems Maintenance

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (n) of AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009). Within 3 months after April 28, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-06-06), revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006 (for Model A310 series airplanes); or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes). For all tasks identified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; do the tasks at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD. The repetitive inspections must be accomplished thereafter at the interval specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; as applicable.

(1) At the initial compliance times (thresholds) specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; as applicable; with the compliance times starting from the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.

(i) Since first flight of the airplane.

(ii) Since the applicable part was new or refurbished if the part's life (in flight hours, flight cycles, landings, or calendar time, as applicable) can be conclusively determined.

(2) Within 3 months after doing the revision of the ALS of the ICA required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

Note 1:

For additional guidance on the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) life limits, refer to Airbus OIT SE 999.0074/05/BB, dated August 3, 2005.

Note 2:

For additional guidance on the THSA life limits and calculation method for unknown history of parts, refer to Airbus OIT SE 999.0008/07/LB, dated January 16, 2007; and Airbus Service Information Letter 05-008, Revision 01, dated February 21, 2007.

(h) Retained Revision of Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) To Incorporate Limitations and Maintenance Tasks for Ageing Systems Maintenance

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (o) of AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009), with revised affected airplane language. For airplanes on which any life limitation/maintenance task has been complied with in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (f), (g), (k), (l), or (m) of AD 2009-06-06: The last accomplishment of each limitation/task must be retained as a starting point for the accomplishment of each corresponding limitation/task interval now introduced Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 01, dated December 21, 2006; as applicable.

(i) Retained No Alternative Inspections/Limitations

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (p) of AD 2009-06-06, Amendment 39-15842 (74 FR 12228, March 24, 2009). Except as provided by paragraph (l) of this AD: After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, no alternative inspection, inspection intervals, or limitations may be used, except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) New Requirements of This AD: Maintenance Program Revision

Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated November 30, 2012 (for Model A310 series airplanes); or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated April 18, 2012 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes). For all limitation/replacement/inspection tasks identified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated November 30, 2012; and Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated April 18, 2012; the initial compliance times for the tasks are at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, as applicable. Doing any limitation/replacement/inspection task required by this paragraph terminates the corresponding task required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(1) At the initial compliance times (thresholds) specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated November 30, 2012; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 4—Ageing Systems Maintenance, Revision 02, dated April 18, 2012; as applicable; with the compliance times starting from the later of the times specified in paragraphs (j)(1)(i) and (j)(1)(ii) of this AD.

(i) Since first flight of the airplane.

(ii) Since the applicable part was new or refurbished if the part's life (in flight hours, flight cycles, landings, or calendar time, as applicable) can be conclusively determined.

(2) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD.

(k) New Limitation: No Alternative Actions or Intervals

After accomplishment of the revision required by paragraph (j) 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 (l) of this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 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). You are required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(m) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0075, dated March 20, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0173.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com . You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.