Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 57 (Monday, March 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15118-15120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05231]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9051; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-035-AD; 
Amendment 39-18828; AD 2017-06-04]
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, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-
605R and A300 B4-622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by an in-service detection of cracks in 
the fuselage skin lap joints. This AD requires an ultrasonic inspection 
of certain skin lap joints, and repair if necessary. We are issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 1, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 1, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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-2016-
9051.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9051; 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 Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is 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 20590.

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; email [email protected].

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, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-605R and A300 B4-622R 
airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on August 30, 2016 (81 FR 59530) 
(``the NPRM'').
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2016-0057, dated March 18, 2016 (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, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-605R and A300 B4-
622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. The MCAI 
states:

    Prompted by in-service detection on Airbus A300-600 aeroplanes 
of cracks in certain fuselage skin lap joints, several studies were 
launched to understand the phenomenon and provide the corrective 
actions. More recently, new analyses were performed and the results 
identified that a new area has to be inspected at the skin lap joint 
below Stringer (STR) 28 at Frame (FR) 72 to FR 76.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
reduced structure integrity of the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Airbus published Service 
Bulletin (SB) A300-53-6184 [dated November 12, 2015] to introduce 
[ultrasonic] inspections and applicable corrective actions for the 
affected areas.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive Special Detail Inspections (SDI) of the affected skin lap 
joint and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable 
corrective action(s) [repairs].

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9051.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Make the Reporting Requirement Optional

    FedEx requested that the reporting requirements in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-53-6184, dated November 12, 2015, be specified in the AD 
as optional. FedEx stated that Airbus has received these reports 
regularly in the past and they have not provided industry statistics or 
benefits to the operators.
    We agree that reporting is not necessary in this AD. The report in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6184, dated November 12, 2015, is 
designed to report crack findings. Crack findings are addressed by 
paragraph (h) of this AD.
    Because reporting is specified within the procedures of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-53-6184, dated November 12, 2015, we have revised 
this AD by adding paragraph (i) to specify no reporting is required. We 
have redesignated subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Request To Include Inspection as an Airworthiness Limitation

    FedEx stated the inspection is best fitted for a maintenance 
program and should be included in an airworthiness limitation document.
    We do not agree with the commenter. Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
53-6184, dated November 12, 2015, has been issued to address in-service 
findings, which can lead to an unsafe condition. For this case, no 
airworthiness limitation instructions were introduced by Airbus. To 
delay this action until airworthiness limitations were

[[Page 15119]]

developed would be inappropriate, since we have determined that an 
unsafe condition exists and that inspections must be conducted to 
ensure continued safety. We have not changed this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6184, dated November 
12, 2015. The service information describes procedures for an 
ultrasonic inspection of the skin lap joint below STR 28 at FR 72 to FR 
76, and repair if necessary. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 29 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                         Labor cost             Cost per product     Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultrasonic inspection..............  6 work-hours x $85 per hour  $510 per inspection     $14,790 per inspection
                                      = $510 per inspection        cycle.                  cycle.
                                      cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have no way to determine the costs to do any necessary repairs 
that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these 
repairs.

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.

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):

2017-06-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-18828; Docket No. FAA-2016-9051; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-035-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 1, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Model A300 B4-603, B4-620, and B4-
622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-605R and A300 B4-622R airplanes; and 
Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by an in-service detection of cracks in the 
fuselage skin lap joints. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracks in the skin lap joint below stringer (STR) 28 at 
frame (FR) 72 to FR 76. Such cracking could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections

    Before 29,500 flight cycles since the first flight of the 
airplane, or within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later, do an ultrasonic inspection for 
cracks of the skin lap joint below STR 28 at FR 72 to FR 76 and do 
all applicable repairs before further flight, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instruction of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6184, 
dated November 12, 2015, except as required by paragraph (h) of this 
AD. Repeat the ultrasonic inspection thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 5,400 flight cycles.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specified in Paragraph (g) of 
This AD

    Where Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6184, dated November 12, 
2015, 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 in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this 
AD.

[[Page 15120]]

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6184, dated November 
12, 2015, specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, and specifies that action as RC, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) 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; email 
[email protected]. 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.
    (2) 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; 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.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraphs (h) and (i) 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 or 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 an airworthy 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA AD 2016-0057, dated March 18, 2016, 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-
2016-9051.

(l) 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 A300-53-6184, dated November 12, 
2015.
    (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, 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 March 8, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05231 Filed 3-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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