Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes), and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the selector valve pipe of the forward cargo door located in the avionics bay opposite the line replaceable unit racking. This AD requires replacing a certain aluminum high pressure pipe with a new corrosion resistant stainless steel pipe. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking in the selector valve pipe of the forward cargo door which could impact the 90 VU avionics line replaceable unit, and could result in multiple computer failures, affecting flight safety.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective April 25, 2012.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 25, 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, Washington 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 December 22, 2011 (76 FR 79558). That NPRM proposed to require replacing a certain aluminum high pressure pipe with a new corrosion resistant stainless steel pipe. The MCAI states:

An A300-600 operator has reported a hydraulic leak at the forward cargo door area. After further investigation, the forward cargo door selector valve pipe Part Number (P/N) A5231006100300, located in the avionics bay opposite to Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) racking, was found cracked.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, can impact the 90 VU avionics LRU, which could result in multiple computer failures, affecting flight safety.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires the replacement of the aluminum pipe P/N A5231006100300 with a stainless steel pipe P/N A5231007000600.

This [EASA] AD has been corrected to make clear that the use of Airbus SB A310-52-2067 and Airbus SB [service bulletin] A300-52-6065 at original issue is acceptable to comply with paragraph (1) of this [EASA] AD, unless, inadvertently, the high pressure pipe P/N A5231007000600 has been replaced in service, after original issue of the SB's accomplishment, with P/N A5231006100300.

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 (76 FR 79558, December 22, 2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Changes to AD

We have clarified that the models affected by Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010, are Model A300-600 series airplanes. We have changed paragraph (g) of this AD accordingly.

We have revised the heading for and the wording in paragraph (j) of this AD; this change has not changed the intent of that paragraph.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes and/or the changes described previously. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 79558, December 22, 2011) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 79558, December 22, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 152 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 4 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 $0 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 $51,680, or $340 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 (76 FR 79558, December 22, 2011), 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

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2012-06-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-16983. Docket No. FAA-2012-1324; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-104-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 25, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; certificated in any category; all certificated models, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52: Doors.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the selector valve pipe of the forward cargo door located in the avionics bay opposite the line replaceable unit racking. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking in the selector valve pipe of the forward cargo door which could impact the 90 VU avionics line replaceable unit, and could result in multiple computer failures, affecting flight safety.

(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) Replacement

Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Within 30 months or 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the aluminum high pressure pipe having part number (P/N) A5231006100300 with a new pipe made of corrosion resistant stainless steel and having P/N A5231007000600, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or A310-52-2067, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(h) Exception

Any airplane that has incorporated Airbus Modification 12464 in production has the new P/N A5231007000600 installed and is therefore compliant with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. If the high pressure pipe has been replaced with P/N A5231006100300 in service after delivery of the airplane, replace the high pressure pipe in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD within the times specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an aluminum high pressure pipe having P/N A5231006100300, on any airplane.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph gives credit for the replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if the replacement was done before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, dated July 9, 2002 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or A310-52-2067, dated July 9, 2002 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(k) 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, Washington 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.

(l) Related Information

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2011-0085, dated May 12, 2011 (corrected May 31, 2011); Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-52-2067, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010; for related information.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 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:

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-52-6065, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010.

(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-52-2067, Revision 01, dated July 5, 2010.

(2) 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 .

(3) 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.

(4) 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 .