Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23230-23232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09285]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0655; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-070-AD; 
Amendment 39-18142; AD 2015-08-06]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-14-05 for 
all Airbus Model A310 and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R 
series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 2007-14-05 
required revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating certain 
certification maintenance requirements. This new AD requires revising 
the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD was 
prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent safety-significant latent failures that 
would, in combination with one or more other specific failures or 
events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition of 
avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection systems, fuel systems, or 
other critical systems.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 1, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 1, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of August 
22, 2007 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0655; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    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. 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0655.

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 supersede AD 2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, 
July 18, 2007). AD 2007-14-05 applied to all Airbus Model A310 and 
A300-600 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on October 1, 2014 (79 FR 59154).
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0072, dated March 20, 2013, corrected 
January 15, 2015, (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus Model A310 and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for Airbus aeroplanes are 
currently published in Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 
documents.
    The airworthiness limitations applicable to the A300-600 and 
A300-600ST Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR) were 
previously specified in the Airbus A300-600 CMR document referenced 
AUST5/829//85. DGAC [Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation 
Civile] France issued AD F2005-123 http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_F_2005_123.pdf/AD_F-2005-123 (EASA approval 2005-6070) 
[which corresponds to FAA AD 2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 
39307, July 18, 2007)] to require compliance to the requirements as 
specified in this document.
    Since that AD was issued, the CMR tasks are now specified in 
Airbus A300-600 and Airbus A310 ALS Part 3 documents, which are 
approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These 
documents introduce more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 
airworthiness limitations. Failure to comply with the maintenance 
requirements contained in these documents could result in an unsafe 
condition.
    For the reasons described above, this new [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of DGAC France AD F-2005-123, which is superseded, and 
requires the implementation of the new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements as specified in Airbus A310 ALS Part 3 
Revision 00 and A300-600 ALS Part 3 Revision 00, as applicable to 
the aeroplane type/model.
    This [EASA] AD is republished to correct typographical errors of 
the MRBR tasks numbers in Table 1 of the [EASA] AD.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0655-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 59154, October 1, 
2014) 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 this AD as proposed, with minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 59154, October 1, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 59154, October 1, 2014).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 
3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated November 30, 
2012. Airbus has also issued A300-600 ALS Part 3, Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated April 18, 2012. This service 
information describes mandatory

[[Page 23231]]

maintenance tasks operators must perform at specified intervals. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. This service information 
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to 
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified 
in the ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 156 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                 Action                          Labor cost           Parts cost    product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2007-14-05      1 work-hour x $85 per hour           $0          $85            $13,260
 Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July    = $85.
 18, 2007).
Revision of maintenance or inspection    1 work-hour x $85 per hour            0           85             13,260
 program [new action].                    = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0655; 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 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007), and adding 
the following new AD:

2015-08-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-18142. Docket No. FAA-2014-0655; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-070-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 1, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, 
July 18, 2007).

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(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 safety-significant 
latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic 
failure condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection 
systems, fuel systems, or other critical systems.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision to the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD 
2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007), with no 
changes. Within 3 months after August 22, 2007 (the effective date 
of AD 2007-14-05), revise the Airworthiness Limitations section of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating Airbus 
A300-600 Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) AI/ST5/829/
85, Issue 12, dated February 2005 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes); or Airbus A310 CMR AI/ST5/849/85, Issue 12, dated 
February 2005 (for Model A310 series airplanes); as applicable. 
Accomplish the actions specified in the applicable CMRs at the 
intervals specified in the applicable CMRs, except as provided by 
paragraph (h) of this AD. Where the CMRs specify to contact the 
Direction

[[Page 23232]]

G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), operators are 
required to contact the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. The actions must otherwise be 
accomplished in accordance with the applicable CMRs.

(h) Retained Transition/Grace Period for Maintenance Significant Item 
(MSI) 78.30.00 Tasks

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2007-14-05, Amendment 39-15127 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007), with no 
changes. For tasks identified in MSI 78.30.00, ``Thrust Reverser 
Actuation and Cowling,'' of Section 2, ``CMR `Two Star' Tasks,'' of 
Airbus A300-600 CMR AI/ST5/829/85, Issue 12, dated February 2005; 
and Airbus A310 CMR AI/ST5/849/85, Issue 12, dated February 2005: 
The initial compliance time is within 2,000 flight cycles or 12 
months after August 22, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-14-05), 
whichever occurs later. Thereafter, actions identified in MSI 
78.30.00 must be accomplished within the repetitive interval 
specified in the applicable CMRs. Where the CMRs specify to contact 
the DGAC, operators are required to contact the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
for such approvals. The actions must be accomplished in accordance 
with the applicable CMRs.

(i) New Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated November 30, 
2012; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 3, Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMR), dated April 18, 2012. Except as required by 
paragraph (k) of this AD, the initial compliance time for 
accomplishing the actions is at the applicable time specified in 
Airbus A310 ALS Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements 
(CMR), dated November 30, 2012; or Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated April 18, 2012, 
as applicable; or within 3 months after the effective date of this 
AD; whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the requirements in this 
paragraph terminates the requirements in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) New No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishment of the revision required by paragraph (i) 
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.

(k) New Compliance Time for Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

    For CMR Task 213000-A0001-1-C, ``Pressurization Control,'' as 
identified in Sub-part 3-1, CMR Tasks, of the Airbus A300-600 ALS 
Part 3, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), dated April 
18, 2012: The initial compliance time for the task is at the 
applicable time specified in paragraphs (k)(1), (k)(2), and (k)(3) 
of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes having accumulated less than 40,000 total 
flight hours since first flight of the airplane as of the effective 
date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 40,001 total flight 
hours.
    (2) For airplanes having accumulated 40,000 total flight hours 
or more since first flight of the airplane as of the effective date 
of this AD, and on which Aging Systems Maintenance (ASM) Task 
213115-04-1, ``Cabin Pressure Safety Valve;'' or Maintenance Review 
Board Report (MRBR) Tasks 21.30.00/06 and 21.30.00/08, 
``Pressurization Control,'' have been accomplished: Before the 
accumulation of 14,000 flight hours after the most recent 
accomplishment of ASM Tasks 213115-04-1, or MRBR Tasks 21.30.00/06 
and 21.30.00/08, whichever occurs later.
    (3) For airplanes having accumulated 40,000 total flight hours 
or more since first flight of the airplane as of the effective date 
of this AD, and on which ASM Task 213115-04-1, or MRBR Tasks 
21.30.00/06 and 21.30.00/08, have not been accomplished: Within 3 
months after the effective date 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, 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].
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions 
from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(m) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0072, dated March 20, 2013, 
(corrected January 15, 2015) 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-
2014-0655.

(n) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
June 1, 2015.
    (i) Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements, dated April 18, 2012.
    (ii) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section Part 3, 
Certification Maintenance Requirements, dated November 30, 2012.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 22, 2007 (72 FR 39307, July 18, 2007).
    (i) Airbus A300-600 Certification Maintenance Requirements AI/
ST5/829/85, Issue 12, dated February 2005.
    (ii) Airbus A310 Certification Maintenance Requirements AI/ST5/
849/85, Issue 12, dated February 2005.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 April 9, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-09285 Filed 4-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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