[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47273-47275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18884]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0264; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-179-AD;
Amendment 39-17147; AD 2012-15-17]
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, and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300
C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A300 F4-600R series airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a report that chafing was detected between the
autopilot electrical wiring conduit and the wing bottom skin. This AD
requires modifying the wiring installation on the right-hand wing. We
are issuing this AD to prevent sparking due to electrical chafing when
flammable vapors are present in the area, which could cause an
uncontrolled fire.
[[Page 47274]]
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 12, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
12, 2012.
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: 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 include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2012 (77
FR 15291). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
During a scheduled general visual inspection in a zone adjacent
to a fuel tank (zone 675) chafing was detected between the autopilot
electrical wiring conduit and the wing bottom skin.
This condition, in the scope of published FAA SFAR88 [Special
Federal Aviation Regulation] and JAA [Joint Aviation Authority]
Internal Policy INT/POL/25/12, is considered on ground to be a
potential source of explosive condition due to the risk of a spark
with electrical wire chafing when flammable vapours are present in
the area. If left uncorrected, this condition could lead to an
uncontrolled fire.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification of the wiring installation to improve the routing and
the protection of the harnesses in the zone 675/Rib 6 of the Right
Hand wing.
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 Extend the Compliance Time
UPS requested that we extend the proposed compliance time. The NPRM
(77 FR 15291, March 15, 2012) proposed a compliance time of ``within 30
months or 4,500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,'' for
modifying the wiring in zone 675 of the right-hand wing. UPS stated
that extending the compliance time to ``within 40 months or 4,500
flight hours after the effective date of this AD,'' would allow it to
accomplish the required actions at its heavy maintenance facility
during C-check visits. UPS stated that the line maintenance environment
is not conducive to this type of work due to the required ground time,
labor, and other resources, which are available at its major
maintenance facility. UPS stated that its current maintenance program
is based on a 30-month C-check interval. UPS also stated that in order
to accommodate this modification at C-check in its major maintenance
facility, it will need an additional 10 months to allow for planning
and preparations, including developing engineering orders, prototyping,
obtaining necessary management and finance approvals, parts
acquisition, and parts lead-time.
We do not agree to extend the compliance time specified in this
final rule. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this
action, we considered the urgency associated with the subject unsafe
condition, the manufacturer's recommendations, the availability of
required parts, and the practical aspect of accomplishing the required
modification within a period of time that corresponds to the normal
scheduled maintenance for most affected operators. Under the provisions
of paragraph (h)(1) of the final rule, we will consider requests for
approval of an extension of the compliance time if sufficient data are
submitted to substantiate that the new compliance time would provide an
acceptable level of safety. We have not changed the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 132 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 7 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $1,720 per
product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that
are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no
charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the
U.S. operators to be $305,580, or $2,315 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 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.
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 (77 FR 15291, March 15,
2012), 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
[[Page 47275]]
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
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:
2012-15-17 Airbus: Amendment 39-17147. Docket No. FAA-2012-0264;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-179-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September
12, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-603, B4-605R, and B4-
622R airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model
A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; certificated in any category;
all serial numbers.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that chafing was detected
between the autopilot electrical wiring conduit and the wing bottom
skin. We are issuing this AD to prevent sparking due to electrical
chafing when flammable vapors are present in the area, which could
cause an uncontrollable fire.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Modification
Within 30 months or 4,500 flight hours after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Modify the wiring in zone 675 of
the right-hand wing, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-24-6109,
dated July 4, 2011.
(h) 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: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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) 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.
(i) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2011-0161, dated August 26, 2011; and Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A300-24-6109, dated July 4, 2011; for related
information.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use the following service information to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-24-6109, dated July
4, 2011.
(3) 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 account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-18884 Filed 8-7-12; 8:45 am]
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