Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13078-13081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4480]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28665; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-081-AD; 
Amendment 39-15416; AD 2008-06-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 and 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:

    Three cases of outer deflector panel found detached or broken 
during ground inspection have been reported to Airbus. * * * [A]n 
operator has also reported a missing portion of hinge on one panel. 
* * * Mishandling or failure of the small portion of hinge located 
inboard of the affected deflector panel is suspected to be the main 
cause of the deflector damage. This can cause misalignment of the 
deflector panel followed by hinge pin migration and possible further 
damages to the deflector on flap retraction. If not corrected, such 
situation could lead to the loss of deflector panel and injured 
people on the ground.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 16, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 16, 
2008.

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: 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 10, 2007 (72 FR 
37477). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Three cases of outer deflector panel found detached or broken 
during ground inspection have been reported by operators to Airbus. 
The affected deflector panel is the most outboard of the two outer 
deflectors. In addition, an operator has also reported a missing 
portion of hinge on one panel. The missing portion of hinge is held 
to the structure through one Camloc fastener.
    Mishandling or failure of the small portion of hinge located 
inboard of the affected deflector panel is suspected to be the main 
cause of the deflector damage.

[[Page 13079]]

    This can cause misalignment of the deflector panel followed by 
hinge pin migration and possible further damages to the deflector on 
flap retraction. If not corrected, such situation could lead to the 
loss of deflector panel and injured people on the ground.
    The aim of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) is to mandate the 
one time inspection to detect and prevent damage to inner and outer 
shroud box deflectors.

The corrective action includes repairing any discrepancy, or removing 
the affected deflector door according to the configuration deviation 
list (CDL). 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 considered the comment received.

Request To Refer to Later Revision of Service Bulletin

    Airbus requests that we refer to Revision 01 of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-57-6104, dated April 27, 2007. In the NPRM, we referred 
to the original issue of that service bulletin, dated November 7, 2006, 
as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the 
required actions.
    We agree with Airbus' request to refer to Revision 01 of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-57-6104. Revision 01 of the service bulletin 
updates the operator and aircraft effectivity to show the latest 
information, and changes the industry support information. No 
additional work is required by this revision of the service bulletin. 
Although Revision 01 notes that it adds a manufacturer serial number 
(MSN) to the effectivity of the service bulletin, that MSN was already 
specified in the applicability of our NPRM.
    We have changed paragraph (f) of this AD, and Table 1 of this AD, 
to refer to Revision 01 of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6104. We 
have also added paragraph (f)(3) to the AD to give credit to operators 
that have done the actions previously in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-57-6104, including Appendix 01, dated November 7, 2006.

Explanation of Change to Paragraph (f)(1)(ii)--Flight Manual References

    We have revised paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of the NPRM to specify that 
operators must remove the affected deflector door according to 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). That paragraph also specifies 
that one approved method for removing the door is described in Airbus 
A300 Flight Manual (FM), Appendix--Configuration Deviation List, 
Chapter 6.03.27, dated February 1, 1993; or Airbus A300-600 FM, 
Appendix--Configuration Deviation List, Chapter 6.03.27, dated May 1, 
1992; as applicable.
    This wording makes it clear that there may be other approved 
variations of the Configuration Deviation List and, if so, that these 
other variations would also be acceptable for compliance.

Explanation of Change to Paragraph (f)(2)--Reporting

    We have changed paragraph (f)(2) of the NPRM to specify that 
reports are necessary only if any discrepancy is found as a result of 
the inspection done in accordance with paragraph (f). We find that 
requiring reports for inspections where no discrepancy is found puts an 
undue burden on the operator.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these 
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

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 will 
affect about 167 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
will take about 16 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD for U.S. 
operators to be $213,760, or $1,280 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://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, 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.

[[Page 13080]]

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:

2008-06-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-15416. Docket No. FAA-2007-28665; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-081-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
16, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series 
airplanes, all certified models, all serial numbers, certificated in 
any category; except Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes from 
manufacturer's serial number 0872 onward, which received application 
of Airbus modifications 13245 and 13282 during production.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Three cases of outer deflector panel found detached or broken 
during ground inspection have been reported by operators to Airbus. 
The affected deflector panel is the most outboard of the two outer 
deflectors. In addition, an operator has also reported a missing 
portion of hinge on one panel. The missing portion of hinge is held 
to the structure through one Camloc fastener.
    Mishandling or failure of the small portion of hinge located 
inboard of the affected deflector panel is suspected to be the main 
cause of the deflector damage.
    This can cause misalignment of the deflector panel followed by 
hinge pin migration and possible further damages to the deflector on 
flap retraction. If not corrected, such situation could lead to the 
loss of deflector panel and injured people on the ground.
    The aim of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) is to mandate the 
one time inspection to detect and prevent damage to inner and outer 
shroud box deflectors.
    The corrective action includes repairing any discrepancy, or 
removing the affected deflector door according to the configuration 
deviation list (CDL).

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already done, do a detailed visual inspection of the inner and outer 
shroud box flap deflectors in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0247, including 
Appendix 01, dated November 7, 2006 (for Model A300 series 
airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6104, Revision 01, 
including Appendix 01, dated April 27, 2007 (for Model A300-600 
series airplanes); as applicable.
    (1) If any discrepancy or damage is found, before next flight do 
the action in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Repair the affected flap deflector in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0247, 
including Appendix 01, dated November 7, 2006; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-57-6104, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated 
April 27, 2007; as applicable.
    (ii) Remove the affected deflector door according to 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). One approved method is 
described in Airbus A300 Flight Manual (FM), Appendix--Configuration 
Deviation List, Chapter 6.03.27, dated February 1, 1993; or Airbus 
A300-600 FM, Appendix--Configuration Deviation List, Chapter 
6.03.27, dated May 1, 1992; as applicable. The removed door may be 
reinstalled once it has been repaired in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0247, 
including Appendix 01, dated November 7, 2006; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-57-6104, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated 
April 27, 2007; as applicable.
    (2) Report to Airbus any discrepancy found as a result of the 
inspection done in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD, using 
the inspection report included in Appendix 01 of the applicable 
service bulletin specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (3) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6104, including 
Appendix 01, dated November 7, 2006, are acceptable for compliance 
with the corresponding requirements of this AD.

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, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, International Branch, 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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; 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 EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0062, dated 
March 7, 2007, and the service information identified in Table 1 of 
this AD, for related information.

                  Table 1.--Airbus Service Information
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        Service information                          Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-     November 7, 2006.
 0247, including Appendix 01.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-     April 27, 2007.
 6104, Revision 01, including
 Appendix 01.
Airbus A300 Flight Manual,           February 1, 1993.
 Appendix--Configuration Deviation
 List, Page 5, Chapter 6.03.27,
 Revision 01.
Airbus A300-600 Flight Manual,       May 1, 1992.
 Appendix--Configuration Deviation
 List, Page 5, Chapter 6.03.27,
 Revision 01.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 13081]]

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of 
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (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.

                                  Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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           Service information                    Revision level                          Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0247,      Original...................  November 7, 2006.
 including Appendix 01.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6104,      01.........................  April 27, 2007.
 including Appendix 01.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-4480 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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