Proposed Rule2024-29356
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
December 13, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by investigations that found cracks on the main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fitting caused by fatigue. This proposed AD would require an operational limitation to the MDCD opening angle, repetitive detailed visual inspection (DET) of the MDCD actuator bearing fittings, and replacement if any cracks are found, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 240 (Friday, December 13, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 240 (Friday, December 13, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 100926-100929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29356]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2556; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00247-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; Model A300 B4-600,
B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and
Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by
investigations that found cracks on the main deck cargo door (MDCD)
actuator bearing fitting caused by fatigue. This proposed AD would
require an operational limitation to the MDCD opening angle, repetitive
detailed visual inspection (DET) of the MDCD actuator bearing fittings,
and replacement if any cracks are found, as specified in a European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for
incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 27,
2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2556; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2061645360454153410e4555524f50410e4555"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c8898cbb88ada9bba9e6adbdbaa7b8a9e6adbd">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-2556.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-
231-3225; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aeeacfc080fcc1cac7c0cfeec8cfcf80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dc98bdb2f28eb3b8b5b2bd9cbabdbdf2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-2556;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00247-T'' at the
[[Page 100927]]
beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dan
Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3225; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b3f1a155529141f12151a3b1d1a1a551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e4a6f60205c616a67606f4e686f6f20696178">[email protected]</span></a>. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2024-0092R1, dated July 10, 2024
(EASA AD 2024-0092R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus SAS Model A300 series, A300-600
series, and A310 series airplanes. The MCAI states that investigations
found cracks on the MDCD actuator bearing fitting caused by fatigue.
There is no unsafe condition during flight when the cargo door if fully
closed, latched, and locked. However, if not detected and corrected,
this cracking could lead to MDCD undamped free fall from the open
position during MDCD operations or during cargo loading/off-loading,
resulting in injury to people on the ground.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2556.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0092R1 specifies procedures for an operational
limitation to the MDCD opening angle, repetitive DET of the MDCD
actuator bearing fittings, and replacement of both MDCD actuator
bearing fittings if any crack is found on any MDCD actuator bearing
fitting.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2024-0092R1 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2024-0092R1 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2024-0092R1 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading
of a particular section in EASA AD 2024-0092R1 does not mean that
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2024-
0092R1. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0092R1 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-2556 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this proposed AD would be an interim action.
If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider further
rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 128 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................. $0 $85 $10,880
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the
[[Page 100928]]
number of aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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500 work-hours x $85 per hour = $34,600 $77,100
$42,500..........................
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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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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
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 airworthiness
directive:
Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2024-2556; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00247-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 27, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus SAS airplanes identified in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD, certified in any category,
manufactured in freighter model configuration.
(1) Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
(3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(4) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(5) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
(6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by investigations that found cracks on the
main deck cargo door (MDCD) actuator bearing fitting caused by
fatigue. The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential cracking of
the MDCD actuator bearing fittings. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could lead to MDCD undamped free fall from open position
during MDCD operations or during cargo loading/off-loading,
resulting in injury to people on the ground.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0092R1, dated July 10, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0092R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0092R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0092R1 refers to April 26, 2024 (the
effective date of the original issue of EASA AD 2024-0092R1), this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0092R1.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0092R1
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f5e52505c5f797e7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6524282a26250304044b020a13">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any material referenced in EASA AD
2024-0092R1 contains paragraphs that are labeled as RC, the
instructions in RC paragraphs, including subparagraphs under an RC
paragraph, must be done to comply with this AD; any paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, that are not
identified as RC are recommended. The instructions in paragraphs,
including subparagraphs under those paragraphs, not
[[Page 100929]]
identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in
accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program
without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the instructions
identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an
airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to instructions
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: 206-231-3225; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5e1c4cb8bf7cac1cccbc4e5c3c4c48bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0541646b2b576a616c6b64456364642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0092R1,
dated July 10, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved].
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f6e6b5c6f4a4e5c4e014a5a5d405f4e014a5a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6021241320050113014e0515120f10014e0515">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6503174b0c0b16150006110c0a0b250b0417044b020a13"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e28490cc8b8c91928781968b8d8ca28c839083cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 9, 2024.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-29356 Filed 12-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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