Airworthiness Directives:

Federal Register: September 29, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 188)

Proposed Rules

Page 60010-60013

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr29se10-26

Proposed Rules

Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2010-0859; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-113-AD

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 Series

Airplanes and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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:

* * * * *

* * * [T]here is a possible path for fluid ingress, resulting in connector internal arcing and hydraulic system malfunction. In addition, as the connectors are located in areas adjacent to fuel tanks, such arcing associated with the presence of a fuel leakage could lead to an uncontrolled fire.

* * * * *

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 15, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New

Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New

Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact

Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; e-mail airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; Internet http:// www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced 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.

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 this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,

International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0859;

Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-113-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical

Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA

Airworthiness Directive 2010-0086R1, dated June 16, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Several A330 and A340 operators have reported in service occurrences of hydraulic pump electrical motor connector internal arcing, resulting in:

--Either false hydraulic system overheat Electronic Centralized

Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) warnings

--And/or hydraulic pump electrical motor malfunction.

Investigations have shown that, due to the manufacturing tolerances of the cables and the connectors rear grommet, there is a possible path for fluid ingress, resulting in connector internal arcing and hydraulic system malfunction. In addition, as the connectors are located in areas adjacent to fuel tanks, such arcing associated with the presence of a fuel leakage could lead to an uncontrolled fire.

In order to protect the hydraulic pump electrical motor connectors against fluid ingress from the rear of the connector grommet and prevent false hydraulic system overheat ECAM warnings and/or hydraulic pump electrical motor malfunction, this AD requires modification of the three hydraulic pump electrical motor connectors associated to the Blue, Yellow and Green hydraulic systems.

This Revision 1 is issued to delete Airbus modifications 55923S18878 and 55924S19452 from the applicability of this AD.

The modification adds heat shrink sleeves to certain cable contacts and a sealing plug to the connector free cavity. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued the service information specified in the table.

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Table--Applicable Service Information

Airbus Mandatory Service

Airplane Model--

Bulletin--

Revision--

Dated--

A330................................ A330-92-3088, including

01 February 22, 2010.

Appendix 01.

A340................................ A340-92-4081, including

01 February 22, 2010.

Appendix 01.

A340................................ A340-92-5053, including

01 February 22, 2010.

Appendix 01.

The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

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 proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 43 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 13 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $877 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 costs.

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 the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $85,226, or $1,982 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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2010-0859; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM- 113-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by November 15, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs

(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.

(1) Airbus Model A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330- 243, A330-301, A330-302, A330-303, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323,

A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes; certificated in any category; all serial numbers; except those on which Airbus modifications 58773 and 45968 have been embodied in production.

(2) Airbus Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340- 312, A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes; certificated in any category; all serial numbers; except those on which Airbus modifications 58773 and 45968 have been embodied in production.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

* * * * *

* * * [T]here is a possible path for fluid ingress, resulting in connector internal arcing and hydraulic system malfunction. In addition, as the connectors are located in areas adjacent to fuel tanks, such arcing

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associated with the presence of a fuel leakage could lead to an uncontrolled fire.

* * * * *

Compliance

(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this

AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Actions

(g) Within 3,600 flight hours after the effective date of this

AD, modify the hydraulic pump electrical motor connectors of the blue, yellow, and green electric pumps, in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information specified in Table 1 of this AD.

Table 1--Applicable Service Information

Airbus Mandatory Service

Airplane Model--

Bulletin--

Revision--

Dated--

A330................................ A330-92-3088................

01 February 22, 2010.

A340................................ A340-92-4081................

01 February 22, 2010.

A340................................ A340-92-5053................

01 February 22, 2010.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Issue of

Service Information

(h) Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this

AD in accordance with the service information specified in Table 2 of this AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

Table 2--Credit Service Information

Airbus Mandatory Service

Airplane Model--

Bulletin--

Revision--

Dated--

A330............................. A330-92-3088............. Original............ September 2, 2009.

A340............................. A340-92-4081............. Original............ September 2, 2009.

A340............................. A340-92-5053............. Original............ September 2, 2009.

FAA AD Differences

Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,

International Branch, 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: Vladimir

Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.

Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards 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.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44

U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned

OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(j) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0086R1, dated June 16, 2010, and the service information specified in Table 3 of this AD, as applicable, for related information.

Table 3--Related Service Information

Airbus Mandatory Service

Airplane Model--

Bulletin--

Revision--

Dated--

A330............................. A330-92-3088............. 01.................. February 22, 2010.

A340............................. A340-92-4081............. 01.................. February 22, 2010.

A340............................. A340-92-5053............. 01.................. February 22, 2010.

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Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 21, 2010.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

FR Doc. 2010-24238 Filed 9-28-10; 8:45 am

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