AD 2006-15-10

The FAA is 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 A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA), corrective actions if necessary, and follow-on repetitive tasks. This AD results from reports of THSAs that have reached their design operational life. We are issuing this AD to extend the operational life of the THSA to prevent a possible failure of high- time THSAs, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Final rule.

2006-15-10 Airbus: Amendment 39-14690. Docket No. FAA-2005-22630; Directorate Identifier 2001-NM-323-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective August 29, 2006.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all of the following Airbus airplanes, certificated in any category: Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes Model A310-203, -204, -221, and -222 airplanes Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from reports of trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuators (THSAs) that have reached their design operational life. We are issuing this AD to extend the operational life of the THSA to prevent a possible failure of high-time units, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actionsrequired by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin References

(f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the term "service bulletin," as used in this AD, means the applicable required service bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD. The service bulletins refer to Goodrich Actuation Systems Service Bulletin 47142-27-11, Revision 3, dated April 25, 2005, as an additional source of service information for the required actions.

Table 1.--Service Bulletins

Required Airbus Service Bulletin
Approved Airbus service bulletin version for actions done before the effective date of this AD
Airbus airplane model

A300 B4 601, B4 603, B4 620, and B4 622.

A300 B4 605R and B4 622R.

A300 F4 605R and F4 622R.
A300 27 6044, Revision 04, dated September 10, 2001.
A300 27 6044, Revision 02, dated August 26, 2000; or Revision 03, dated June 28, 2001.
A300 C4 605R Variant F.A310 203, 204, 221, and 222.
A310 27 2089, Revision 02, dated June 28, 2001.
A310 27 2089, Revision 01, dated August 25, 2000
A310 304, 322, 324, and 325.

Inspection

(g) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of specified components of the THSA in accordance with paragraph 1.E.(2)(a) and the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin. Repair any discrepancy before further flight in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). TRW Aeronautical Systems/ Lucas Aerospace Component Maintenance Manual 27-44-13, dated September 14, 2001, is one acceptable method for the repair.

(1) If the flight hours accumulated on the THSA can be positively determined: Inspect at the earlier of:

(i) Before the accumulation of 47,000 total flight hours on the THSA, or within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(ii) Within 25 years since the THSA was new or within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(2) If the flight hours accumulated on the THSA cannot be positively determined: Inspect before the accumulation of 47,000 total flight hours on the airplane, or within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required."

Follow-on Repetitive Tasks

(h) After the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Do the repetitive tasks in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions and at the times specified in paragraph 1.E.(2)(b) of the service bulletin, as applicable, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. The repetitive tasks are valid only until the THSA operational life exceeds 65,000 flight hours, 40,000 flight cycles, or 25 years, whichever occurs first. Before the THSA is operated beyond these extended life goals, it must be replaced with a new THSA, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD.

THSA Replacement

(i) For any THSA, whether discrepant or not, that is replaced with a new THSA: Within 47,000 flight hours or 25 years, whichever occurs first, after the THSA is replaced, do the applicable tasks specified in paragraph 1.E.(2)(a) and the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin. Thereafter repeat the tasks within the repetitive intervals specified in paragraph 1.E.(2)(b) of the applicable service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(j)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(k) French airworthiness directive 2001-242(B), dated June 27, 2001, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(l) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6044, Revision 04, dated September 10, 2001; and Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2089, Revision 02, dated June 28, 2001; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the 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 supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to 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 A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2006 (71 FR 28821). That supplemental NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator, corrective actions if necessary, and follow-on repetitive tasks.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been received on the supplemental NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Change to the Supplemental NPRM

Paragraph (g) of the supplemental NPRM specifies making repairs using a method approved by either the FAA or the Direction G n rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated agent). The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has assumed responsibility for the airplane model[s] subject to this AD. Therefore, we have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to specify making repairs using a method approved by either the FAA or the EASA (or its delegated agent).

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

Estimated Costs

Action
Work hours
Average labor rate per hour
Parts
Cost per airplane
Number of U.S.-reg. airplanes
Fleet cost
Inspection
3
$80
None required
$240
146
$35,040.

Repetitive follow-on tasks
12
80
$0
$960, per inspection cycle
146
$140,160, per inspection cycle.

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." Underthat 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, 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):