Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16430-16432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6520]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1324; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-104-AD; 
Amendment 39-16983; AD 2012-06-02]
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 all 
Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and 
Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series 
airplanes), and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report of a crack in the selector valve pipe of the forward cargo door 
located in the avionics bay opposite the line replaceable unit racking. 
This AD requires replacing a certain aluminum high pressure pipe with a 
new corrosion resistant stainless steel pipe. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent cracking in the selector valve pipe of the forward cargo door 
which could impact the 90 VU avionics line replaceable unit, and could 
result in multiple computer failures, affecting flight safety.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 25, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 25, 
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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 December 22, 2011 
(76 FR 79558). That NPRM proposed to require replacing a certain 
aluminum high pressure pipe with a new corrosion resistant stainless 
steel pipe. The MCAI states:

    An A300-600 operator has reported a hydraulic leak at the 
forward cargo door area. After further investigation, the forward 
cargo door selector valve pipe Part Number (P/N) A5231006100300, 
located in the avionics bay opposite to Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) 
racking, was found cracked.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, can impact the 90 
VU avionics LRU, which could result in multiple computer failures, 
affecting flight safety.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
replacement of the aluminum pipe P/N A5231006100300 with a stainless 
steel pipe P/N A5231007000600.
    This [EASA] AD has been corrected to make clear that the use of 
Airbus SB A310-

[[Page 16431]]

52-2067 and Airbus SB [service bulletin] A300-52-6065 at original 
issue is acceptable to comply with paragraph (1) of this [EASA] AD, 
unless, inadvertently, the high pressure pipe P/N A5231007000600 has 
been replaced in service, after original issue of the SB's 
accomplishment, with P/N A5231006100300.

    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 79558, December 22, 
2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Changes to AD

    We have clarified that the models affected by Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010, are 
Model A300-600 series airplanes. We have changed paragraph (g) of this 
AD accordingly.
    We have revised the heading for and the wording in paragraph (j) of 
this AD; this change has not changed the intent of that paragraph.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes and/or the changes described previously. We 
have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 79558, December 22, 2011) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 79558, December 22, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 152 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours 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. 
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 $51,680, or $340 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 that 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);
    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.
    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 79558, December 22, 
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:

2012-06-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-16983. Docket No. FAA-2012-1324; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-104-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 25, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52: Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the selector 
valve pipe of the forward cargo door located in the avionics bay 
opposite the line replaceable unit racking. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent cracking in the selector valve pipe of the forward cargo 
door which could impact the 90 VU avionics line replaceable unit, 
and could result in multiple computer failures, affecting flight 
safety.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Within 30 months 
or 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, replace the aluminum high pressure pipe having part 
number (P/N) A5231006100300 with a new pipe made of corrosion 
resistant stainless steel and having P/N A5231007000600, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus

[[Page 16432]]

Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, dated July 5, 
2010 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or A310-52-2067, 
Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(h) Exception

    Any airplane that has incorporated Airbus Modification 12464 in 
production has the new P/N A5231007000600 installed and is therefore 
compliant with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. If the 
high pressure pipe has been replaced with P/N A5231006100300 in 
service after delivery of the airplane, replace the high pressure 
pipe in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD within the times 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
aluminum high pressure pipe having P/N A5231006100300, on any 
airplane.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph gives credit for the replacement required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if the replacement was done before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A300-52-
6065, dated July 9, 2002 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or 
A310-52-2067, dated July 9, 2002 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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: Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; 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.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0085, dated May 12, 2011 (corrected May 
31, 2011); Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 
01, dated July 5, 2010; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-
52-2067, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010; for related information.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) 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:
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, 
dated July 5, 2010.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-52-2067, Revision 
01, dated July 5, 2010.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS-EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email: [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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 an NARA facility, 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 March 8, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-6520 Filed 3-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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