Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32345-32347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12515]



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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 104 / Thursday, May 30, 2013 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 32345]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1000; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-065-AD; 
Amendment 39-17460; AD 2013-10-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-605R, and B4-622R 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the door frame shells 
of passenger doors 2 and 4 may not have sufficient structural strength 
to enable the airplane to operate safely. This AD requires reinforcing 
the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and 4 on both sides of the 
fuselage. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the 
door frame shells, which could result in in-flight decompression of the 
airplane and consequent injury to passengers.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 5, 
2013.

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, WA 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 September 24, 2012 
(77 FR 58785). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) states:

    As a result of the Extended Service Goal 2 exercise (ESG2) it 
was shown that the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and 4 
(both sides of the aeroplane) may not have sufficient structural 
strength to enable the aeroplane to operate safety beyond ESG1 
(Extended Service Goal 1 equal to 42,500 Flight Cycles--FC or 89,000 
Flight Hours--FH) and up to ESG2 (Extended Service Goal 2 equal to 
51,000 FC or 89,000 FH) limits.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural 
failure of the affected door shells, possibly resulting in in-flight 
decompression of the aeroplane and consequent injury to occupants.
    For the reasons stated above, this [European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA)] AD requires the reinforcement at door frame shells of 
passenger doors 2 and 4.

    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 have considered the comments received.

Request for a Copy of the Service Information

    FedEx requested that copies of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-
6170, dated May 16, 2011, be provided to understand the full intent of 
the modification. FedEx stated that copies of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-53-6170, dated May 16, 2011, are not available to operators 
without paying for the modification kit for ESG-2 operations.
    As stated in the NPRM (77 FR 58785, September 24, 2012), copies of 
the referenced service information may be reviewed at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. No 
change has been made to the AD in this regard. After publication of the 
final rule, 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.

Request for Exception for Certain Passenger Doors

    FedEx requested an exception for the passenger door 2 on airplanes 
modified from passenger to freighter per supplemental type certificate 
(STC) ST01431NY* (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/9F0C4BC1162AA3CE862571B2005F355C?OpenDocument&Highlight=st01431ny). 
FedEx stated that the passenger door 2 has been removed from the 
modified airplanes to install the upper deck cargo door in these 
positions. FedEx noted that applicability to the remaining door 4 would 
remain in effect.
    We disagree with the commenter's request. Operators should work 
with the STC holder to evaluate and determine what actions might be 
necessary to address the unsafe condition if it exists. Operators may 
request approval of an alternative method of compliance to address this 
evaluation. No change has been made to the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 58785, September 24, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 58785, September 24, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 124 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 400 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 $10,000

[[Page 32346]]

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 $5,456,000, or $44,000 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 (77 FR 58785, September 24, 
2012), 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:

2013-10-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-17460. Docket No. FAA-2012-1000; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-065-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 5, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-
605R, and B4-622R airplanes; certificated in any category; all 
serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that the door frame shells of 
passenger doors 2 and 4 may not have sufficient structural strength 
to enable the airplane to operate safely. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent structural failure of the door frame shells, which could 
result in in-flight decompression of the airplane and consequent 
injury to passengers.

(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) Reinforcement

    Before the accumulation of 42,500 total flight cycles or within 
2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Do the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) 
of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model A300 B4-622R airplanes: Reinforce the door frame 
shells of passenger doors 2 and 4 on both sides of the fuselage, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-53-6170, dated May 16, 2011.
    (2) For Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-605R 
airplanes: Reinforce the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and 
4 on both sides of the fuselage, using a method approved by either 
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or 
its delegated agent).

(h) 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, WA 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0044, dated 
March 23, 2012; and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6170, dated May 
16, 2011; for related information.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6170, dated May 16, 2011.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness

[[Page 32347]]

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 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the 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.
    (5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12515 Filed 5-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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