Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-304-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 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. This proposal would require a one-time detailed visual

inspection to detect corrosion on the outer surface of the fuselage

skin panel; application of corrosion preventive protection; and

corrective action, 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 corrosion of the fuselage skin panel,

which could result in cracking and consequent reduced structural

integrity of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-304-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 99-NM-304-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. 99-NM-304-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. The

DGAC advises that several cases of corrosion have been reported on the

outer surface of the fuselage skin panel between fuselage frames 39 and

40, and between stringers 27 and 33. Cracking on the fuselage skin

panels and associated stiffeners has also been detected, resulting from

the adverse effects of stress corrosion. Such corrosion and cracking,

if not corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the

airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-53-0328, dated March 5,

1999, which describes procedures for inspection for corrosion;

application of corrosion preventive protection to delay the occurrence

of corrosion; and repair if correction is detected. The service

bulletin describes several repair methods, including rework of corroded

areas, repair of panels still within permitted limits, or replacement

of panels outside permitted limits, depending on the severity of the

corrosion. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service

bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe

condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and

issued French airworthiness directive 1999-209-281(B), dated May 19,

1999, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes

in France.

FAA's Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

Sec. 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 bulletin described previously,

except as described below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

Operators should note that, although the service bulletin specifies

that the manufacturer may be contacted for disposition of certain

repair conditions, this proposal would require replacement of the skin

panel to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 or 22

work hours per airplane, depending on the airplane configuration, to

accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average labor rate is

$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the

proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $240 or $1,320

per airplane.

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 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. Therefore, it

is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

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 99-NM-304-AD.

Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes, certificated in any

category; except those on which Airbus Modification 04201 has been

accomplished.

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 (c) 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 corrosion of the fuselage skin panel,

which could result in cracking and consequent reduced structural

integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Perform a one-time detailed visual inspection of the outer

surface of the fuselage skin panel between fuselage frames FR39 and

FR40, and between stringers 27 and 33, for corrosion; in accordance

with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0328, dated March 5, 1999.

Perform the inspection at the applicable time specified in paragraph

(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD. If any corrosion is found,

prior to further flight, repair (i.e., rework corroded areas, or

repair or replace panels, as applicable) in accordance with the

service bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD.

Temporary repairs must be replaced with permanent repairs prior to

accumulation of the life limits specified in the service bulletin.

(1) For airplanes for which the date of manufacture was less

than 15 years before the effective date of this AD: Inspect within

18 months after the effective date of this AD.

(2) For airplanes for which the date of manufacture was at least

15 but less than 20 years before the effective date of this AD:

Inspect within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.

(3) For airplanes for which the date of manufacture was 20 or

more years before the effective date of this AD: Inspect within 6

months after the effective date of this AD.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a

specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to

detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is

normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at

intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such

as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning

and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

(b) Where Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-0328, dated March 5,

1999, specifies that Airbus may be contacted for a repair, prior to

further flight, replace the skin panel with a new or serviceable

skin panel in accordance with the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) 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, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(d) 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French

airworthiness directive 1999-209-281(B), dated May 19, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 27, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-34032 Filed 12-30-99; 8:45 am]

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