[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19425-19427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10279]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-74-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series
airplanes and all Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. This
proposal would require repetitive
[[Page 19426]]
inspections for wear damage of the aft attachment fittings of the
articulated seats and dummy tracks in the passenger compartment; and
repair, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to detect and correct wear damage of the aft attachment
fittings of the articulated seats and dummy tracks. This condition, if
not detected and corrected, could cause the floor panels to sag and
result in failure of flight control systems and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 20, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-74-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-74-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-74-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, and
all Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it
has received reports indicating that, on in-service airplanes, wear
damage was found between frames 38.2 and 40 and between frames 54 and
54.2 on the aft attachment fittings of the articulated seats and dummy
tracks in the passenger compartment. Investigation has revealed that,
under certain load conditions, such as take-off and landing, the
sliders of the articulated seats may cause excessive wear of the dummy
track slot contact surface. This excessive wear restricts the sliding
movement of the articulated seats and can lead to cracking and rupture
of the attachment fitting. This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could cause the floor panels to sag and result in failure of
flight control systems and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A300-53-0329, Revision 01 (for
Model A300); A300-53-6105, Revision 01 (for Model A300-600); and A310-
53-2101, Revision 01 (for Model A310); all dated October 17, 1997.
These service bulletins describe procedures for repetitive detailed
visual inspections for wear damage of the aft attachment fittings of
the articulated seats and dummy tracks between frames 38.2 and 40 and
between frames 54 and 54.2 in the passenger compartment; and repair, if
necessary. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and
issued French airworthiness directive 97-116-222(B), dated May 21,
1997, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes
in France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplanes model are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, unlike the procedures described in
Airbus Service Bulletins A300-53-0329, Revision 01 (for Model A300);
Airbus A300-53-6105, Revision 01 (for Model A300-600), and Airbus A310-
53-2101, Revision 01 (for Model A310), all dated October 17, 1997, this
proposed AD would not permit further flight if wear damage is detected
on the aft attachment fittings on the articulated seats and dummy
tracks in the passenger compartment. The FAA has determined that,
because of the safety implications and consequences associated with
such wear damage, any subject attachment fitting that is found to
exhibit wear damage must be repaired prior to further flight.
In addition, operators should note that, although the referenced
service bulletins specify that the manufacturer may be contacted for
disposition of certain repair conditions, this proposal would require
the repair of those conditions to be accomplished in
[[Page 19427]]
accordance with a method approved by the FAA.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 126 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 48 work hours
per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $362,880, or
$2,880 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 98-NM-74-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 3599 or 3135 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
53-0188) has been accomplished, and all Model A310 and A300-600
series airplanes; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To detect and correct wear damage of the aft attachment fittings
of the articulated seats and dummy tracks in the passenger
compartment, which could cause the floor panels to sag and result in
failure of flight control systems and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a detailed visual inspection for wear damage of the
aft attachment fittings of the articulated seats and dummy tracks in
the passenger compartment, in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletins A300-53-0329, Revision 01 (for Airbus Model A300 series
airplanes); A300-53-6105, Revision 01 (for Airbus Model A300-600
series airplanes); or A310-53-2101, Revision 01 (for Airbus Model
A310 series airplanes), all dated October 17, 1997; at the
applicable time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 12,000 total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect prior to
the accumulation of 6,000 total flight cycles, or within 18 months
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 12,000 or more total
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect within 12
months after the effective date of this AD.
(b) If no wear damage is detected during the inspection required
by paragraph (a) of this AD, repeat the detailed visual inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight cycles.
(c) If any wear damage measuring 2 mm (0.078 in.) or less is
detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD,
prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletins A300-53-0329, Revision 01 (for Airbus Model A300 series
airplanes); A300-53-6105, Revision 01 (for Airbus Model A300-600
series airplanes); or A310-53-2101, Revision 01 (for Airbus Model
A310 series airplanes); all dated October 17, 1997. Repeat the
detailed visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed
6,000 flight cycles.
(d) If any wear damage measuring more than 2 mm (0.078 in.) is
detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD,
prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate. Repeat the detailed visual inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight cycles.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-116-222(B), dated May 21, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 13, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10279 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
