Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model A300 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 8, 2006 (71 FR 33264). That NPRM proposed to require modifying the airplane and the engine/nacelle to install a third line of defense against inadvertent deployment of the thrust reverser in flight. That NPRM also proposed to require two other actions that must be accomplished before or concurrently with the modification: installing a structural change in the fan cowl to avoid interference; and installing a dedicated, shielded electrical circuit.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Support for the NPRM
Air line Pilots Association supports the NPRM.
Request To Revise the "Costs of Compliance"
GE Aviation requests that we revise the estimated costs for complying with the NPRM. GE Aviation specifically requests the changes shown in the following table.
Requested Changes to Estimated Costs
Action
Work Hours in NPRM
Requested Change
Parts Cost in Original NPRM
Requested Change
Install third line of defense
6
282
$440
$172,744
Install structural change in the fan cowl (prior/concurrent requirement)
312
328
$5,680
No change requested
Install dedicated, shielded electrical circuit (prior/concurrent requirement)
94
261
$28,700
$18,320
We agree to revise the cost information. This cost information is not provided in the Airbus service information that was referenced in the NPRM, but is available through Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS), a subsidiary of the General Electric Company. Therefore, we agree that the MRAS cost information provided by GE Aviation is valid. We have revised the estimated costs in this final rule as requested by GE Aviation. We have coordinated this change with Airbus.
Request To Revise Description of Service Bulletin
GE Aviation also requests that we revise the description of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-78-0022, dated September 27, 2005, which was included in the "Relevant Service Information" section of the NPRM. The NPRM referred to that service bulletin as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the proposed actions. GE Aviation specifically requests that we add the phrase "installing the electro- pneumatic locking bar assembly on each thrust reverser half," before the phrase, "and installing a dual switcher valve. * * *"
We agree with the commenter that the requested phrase clarifies our description of the service bulletin. However, since that section of the preamble does not reappear in the final rule, no change to this AD is necessary.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 30 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work hour.
Estimated Costs
Action
Work hours
Parts
Cost per airplane
Fleet cost
Install third line of defense
282
$172,744
$195,304
$5,859,120
Install structural change in the fan cowl (prior/concurrent requirement)
328
$5,680
$31,920
$957,600
Install dedicated, shielded electrical circuit (prior/concurrent requirement)
261
$18,320
$39,200
$1,176,000
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 have 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 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviationsafety, 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):