Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51447-51450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20585]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0242; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-100-AD; 
Amendment 39-18240; AD 2015-17-07]
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 B4-603, B4-605R, B4-620, B4-622, B4-622R airplanes; 
all Airbus Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and certain Airbus 
Model A300 F4-605R airplanes. This AD was prompted by the 
manufacturer's review of all repairs accomplished using the structural 
repair manual. This review was done using revised fatigue and damage 
tolerance calculations. This AD requires an inspection of the 
surrounding panels of the left and right forward passenger doors, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct previous incomplete or inadequate repairs to the surrounding 
panels of the left and right forward passenger doors and the fail-safe 
ring, which could negatively affect the structural integrity of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 29, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-0242 or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-

[[Page 51448]]

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, 
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 [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-2015-0242.

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 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Model A300 B4-
603, B4-605R, B4-620, B4-622, B4-622R airplanes; all Airbus Model A300 
C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and certain Airbus Model A300 F4-605R 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 18, 
2015 (80 FR 8566).
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0101, dated May 2, 2014 (referred to after 
this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A300 B4-
603, B4-605R, B4-620, B4-622, B4-622R airplanes; all Airbus Model A300 
C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and certain Airbus Model A300 F4-605R 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    In the frame of the Ageing Airplane Safety Rule (AASR), all 
existing Structural Repair Manual (SRM) repairs were reviewed.
    This analysis, which consisted in new Fatigue and Damage 
Tolerance calculations, revealed that some repairs in the area 
surrounding the forward passenger/crew door and the fail safe ring 
are no longer adequate.
    These repairs, if not reworked, could affect the structural 
integrity of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) A300-53-6173 (later revised), to provide 
instructions for the inspection of repairs on the left-hand (LH) and 
right-hand (RH) forward door surrounding panels.
    For the reasons described above, and further to the AASR 
implementation, this [EASA] AD requires a one-time inspection of the 
forward door surrounding panels to identify SRM repairs in these 
areas and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable 
corrective action(s).

Corrective actions include rework or repair.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-0242-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 8566, February 18, 
2015) 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 except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 8566, February 18, 2015) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 8566, February 18, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-53-6173, Revision 01, dated 
February 28, 2014. The service information describes procedures for a 
one-time detailed of the area surrounding the forward passenger/crew 
door and the fail safe ring to determine if any repairs have been done, 
and corrective actions. 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 65 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 120 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this AD on U.S. operators to be $663,000, or $10,200 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take up to 730 work-hours and require parts costing up to $72,250, for 
a cost of up to $134,300 per product. We have no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need these actions.

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-2015-0242; 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

[[Page 51449]]

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-17-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-18240. Docket No. FAA-2015-0242; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-100-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 29, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model A300 B4-603, B4-605R, B4-620, B4-622, and B4-622R 
airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (2) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, all manufacturer 
serial numbers.
    (3) Model A300F4-605R airplanes, all manufacturer serial 
numbers, except those on which Airbus Modification 12699 was 
embodied in production.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer's review of all repairs 
accomplished using the structural repair manual. This review was 
done using revised fatigue and damage tolerance calculations. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct previous incomplete or 
inadequate repairs to the surrounding panels of the left and right 
forward passenger doors and the fail-safe ring, which could 
negatively affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    At the time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, 
whichever is later: Do a detailed inspection of the surrounding 
panels of the left and right forward passenger doors to determine if 
any repairs have been done, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6173, Revision 01, 
dated February 28, 2014.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 30,000 total flight cycles or 
67,500 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within 28 months after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Identification of Repairs

    If any affected repair is found during the inspection required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, identify the 
reworked area(s), the percentage of the rework, and the limits of 
the rework, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6173, Revision 01, dated February 
28, 2014.

(i) Corrective Actions

    During the repair identification required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, if any rework is found that is outside the allowable damage 
limits specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6173, Revision 
01, dated February 28, 2014: Before further flight, rework or 
repair, as applicable, using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; 
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA).

(j) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Although Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6173, Revision 01, 
dated February 28, 2014, specifies to contact Airbus for repair 
instructions, and specifies that action as ``RC'' (Required for 
Compliance), this AD requires repair before further flight using a 
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-53-6173, dated August 1, 2013, which is not incorporated by 
reference in 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]. 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) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (j) of this AD: If any service information contains 
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and 
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures and tests 
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and 
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using 
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or 
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided 
the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.
    (3) Contacting the Manufacturer: 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; the EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include 
the DOA-authorized signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0101, dated May 2, 2014, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-
2015-0242-0002.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(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.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6173, Revision 01, dated 
February 28, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this 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 [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate,

[[Page 51450]]

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 August 10, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20585 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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