Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78524-78526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32021]



[[Page 78524]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0918; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-090-AD; 
Amendment 39-16896; AD 2011-26-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus 
Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 
series airplanes, and Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated 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:

    During a pre-flight test before delivery of an aeroplane from 
the Airbus production line, a fault message was triggered on FDU1 
[fire detection unit].
    Investigations by the supplier on the faulty FDU have identified 
a soldering quality issue on one of the internal cards. This quality 
issue resulted from a specific repair process that was applied to 
some FDU * * * during manufacturing.
    The FDU monitors the engine, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and Main 
Landing Gear (MLG) bay fire detection systems.
    This condition, if not corrected, may adversely affect the fire 
detection system performance in case of a fire in the area that is 
monitored by the faulty FDU, potentially resulting in an unsafe 
condition.
* * * * *
    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 23, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 23, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2011 
(76 FR 56680). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    During a pre-flight test before delivery of an aeroplane from 
the Airbus production line, a fault message was triggered on FDU1.
    Investigations by the supplier on the faulty FDU have identified 
a soldering quality issue on one of the internal cards. This quality 
issue resulted from a specific repair process that was applied to 
some FDU Part Number (P/N) 3711-00 during manufacturing.
    The FDU monitors the engine, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and Main 
Landing Gear (MLG) bay fire detection systems.
    This condition, if not corrected, may adversely affect the fire 
detection system performance in case of a fire in the area that is 
monitored by the faulty FDU, potentially resulting in an unsafe 
condition.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
identification and replacement of the affected FDU.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 56680, September 
14, 2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 58 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per product. 
Replacement parts may be provided free of charge by the manufacturer. 
Where the service information lists required parts costs that are 
covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge 
for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected 
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators 
to be $4,930, 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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
    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,

[[Page 78525]]

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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (76 FR 56680, September 14, 
2011), 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2011-26-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-16896. Docket No. FAA-2011-0918; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-090-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 
23, 2012.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, 
-223F, -243, and -243F airplanes; Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, 
-322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; Model A340-211, -212, 
and -213 airplanes; Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes; Model 
A340-541 airplanes; and Model A340-642 airplanes; certificated in 
any category; all serial numbers.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26: Fire 
Protection.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    During a pre-flight test before delivery of an aeroplane from 
the Airbus production line, a fault message was triggered on FDU1 
[fire detection unit].
    Investigations by the supplier on the faulty FDU have identified 
a soldering quality issue on one of the internal cards. This quality 
issue resulted from a specific repair process that was applied to 
some FDU * * * during manufacturing.
    The FDU monitors the engine, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and Main 
Landing Gear (MLG) bay fire detection systems.
    This condition, if not corrected, may adversely affect the fire 
detection system performance in case of a fire in the area that is 
monitored by the faulty FDU, potentially resulting in an unsafe 
condition.
* * * * *

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Actions

    (g) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Do an inspection to identify the fire detection unit (FDU) part 
number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) of each engine, auxiliary power 
unit (APU), and MLG bay (for Model A340-500 and -600 series 
airplanes only), as applicable, in accordance with the instructions 
of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-26A3052, dated April 19, 
2011 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); Airbus AOT 
A340-200/300-26A4044, dated April 19, 2011 (for Model A340-200 and -
300 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340-500/600-26A5024, dated 
April 19, 2011 (for Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes). A 
review of maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the part number and serial number of the installed FDU 
can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (h) If during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, an FDU with P/N 3711-00 is found installed and the serial number 
of the FDU is listed in table 1 of this AD: Before further flight, 
replace the FDU with a serviceable FDU, in accordance with the 
instructions of Airbus AOT A330-26A3052, dated April 19, 2011 (for 
Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes); Airbus AOT A340-200/300-
26A4044, dated April 19, 2011 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340-500/600-26A5024, dated April 19, 2011 
(for Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes).

                   Table 1--Affected P/N 3711-00 FDUs
 
                             Serial numbers
 
ZL0683
ZL0718
ZL0721 through ZL0725 inclusive
ZL0727
ZL0729 through ZL0731 inclusive
ZL0736
ZL0738
ZL0740
ZL0742
ZL0743
ZL0745
ZL0747
ZL0770
ZL0772
ZL0775
ZL0788
ZL0804
 


    Note 1:  Some of the affected P/N 3711-00 FDUs have been 
installed in production on certain airplanes, as indicated in table 
2 of this AD.


                  Table 2--FDUs Installed in Production
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Model A330-200 and -300
 airplanes manufacturer  serial         Position               S/N
             numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1177............................  ENG2 FDU (1WD2).....  ZL0683
1191............................  ENG2 FDU (1WD2).....  ZL0723
1192............................  ENG1 FDU (1WD1).....  ZL0721
                                  ENG2 FDU (1WD2).....  ZL0722
1193............................  APU FDU (13WG)......  ZL0718
1195............................  ENG1 FDU (1WD1).....  ZL0740
1196............................  ENG1 FDU (1WD1).....  ZL0742
                                  ENG2 FDU (1WD2).....  ZL0736
                                  APU FDU (13WG)......  ZL0743
1198............................  ENG2 FDU (1WD2).....  ZL0738
1199............................  APU FDU (13WG)......  ZL0731
1200............................  ENG1 FDU (1WD1).....  ZL0747

[[Page 78526]]

 
1206............................  ENG2 FDU (1WD2).....  ZL0770
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane, any P/N 3711-00 FDU with a serial number listed in 
table 1 of this AD, unless the FDU has been reworked and re-
identified by L'Hotellier as specified in the instructions in Airbus 
AOT A330-26A3052, dated April 19, 2011 (for Model A330-200 and -300 
series airplanes); Airbus AOT A340-200/300-26A4044, dated April 19, 
2011 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT 
A340-500/600-26A5024, dated April 19, 2011 (for Model A340-500 and -
600 series airplanes).

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (j) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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: Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to:

[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. 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 or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

Related Information

    (k) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0073, dated April 20, 2011; Airbus AOT 
A330-26A3052, dated April 19, 2011; Airbus AOT A340-200/300-26A4044, 
dated April 19, 2011; and Airbus AOT A340-500/600-26A5024, dated 
April 19, 2011; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
    (1) Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-26A3052, dated April 
19, 2011. Only the first page of this document contains the document 
number and date.
    (2) Airbus AOT A340-200/300-26A4044, dated April 19, 2011. Only 
the first page of this document contains the document number and 
date.
    (3) Airbus AOT A340-500/600-26A5024, dated April 19, 2011. Only 
the first page of this document contains the document number and 
date.
    (4) 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 [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (5) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.
    (6) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 6, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32021 Filed 12-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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