Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 26, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54536-54538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18870]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28599; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-008-AD; 
Amendment 39-15213; AD 2007-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series 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 the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in 
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined 
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) 
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA 
on 31 May 2006.

The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in 
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to

[[Page 54537]]

require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 31, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 31, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1622; 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 July 9, 2007 (72 FR 
37122). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in 
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined 
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) 
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA 
on 31 May 2006.
    Issue 11 of this document (refer to the Summary of Changes 
chapter for more details) deals in particular with the introduction 
of new tasks and the reduction of threshold and interval of some ALI 
tasks.
    Some other clarifications are also brought to some tasks like 
for example the access, the applicability period or the 
applicability.
    This AD supersedes DGAC AD F-2004-153, as it was mandating A300-
600 ALI issue 9.

The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion in 
principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane. Incorporating this revision into the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued structural 
integrity of these airplanes. 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 or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects 
about 138 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it takes 
about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this AD on U.S. operators to be $11,040, or $80 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 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); and
    3. 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://dms.dot.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, 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

0
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:

2007-20-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-15213. Docket No. FAA-2007-28599; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-008-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 
31, 2007.

[[Page 54538]]

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes, 
all certified models, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    The aim of this AD, is to mandate airworthiness requirements in 
structural maintenance in accordance with the requirements defined 
in the AIRBUS A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) 
document issue 11, referenced AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, approved by EASA 
on 31 May 2006.
    Issue 11 of this document (refer to the Summary of Changes 
chapter for more details) deals in particular with the introduction 
of new tasks and the reduction of threshold and interval of some ALI 
tasks.
    Some other clarifications are also brought to some tasks like 
for example the access, the applicability period or the 
applicability. This AD supersedes DGAC AD F-2004-153, as it was 
mandating A300-600 ALI issue 9.
    The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, or corrosion 
in principal structural elements, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane. Incorporating this revision 
into the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions 
for Continued Airworthiness is intended to ensure the continued 
structural integrity of these airplanes.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within 3 months after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items (ALI) Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 11, 
dated April 2006. The tolerance (grace period) for compliance 
(specified in paragraph 2 of Section B--Program Rules) with Issue 11 
of the ALI is within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of 
this AD, provided that none of the following is exceeded:
    (1) Thresholds or intervals in the operator's current approved 
maintenance schedule that are taken from a previous ALI issue, if 
existing, and are higher than or equal to those given in Issue 11 of 
the ALI.
    (2) 8 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) 50 percent of the intervals given in Issue 11 of the ALI.
    (4) Any application tolerance given in the task description of 
Issue 11 of the ALI.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) 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. Send information to ATTN: Tom 
Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98056-3356; telephone (425) 227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2006-0374, dated December 15, 2006, and Airbus A300-600 
Airworthiness Limitation Items Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 
11, dated April 2006, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitation Items 
Document AI/SE-M2/95A.0502/06, Issue 11, dated April 2006, to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 
(Page 143-G of this document is missing the document number, 
document issue date and revision level, section identifier, and page 
number.)
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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 September 19, 2007.
John Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18870 Filed 9-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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