[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12-15]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30280]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3631; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-060-AD;
Amendment 39-18757; AD 2016-25-31]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; Model A330-200
Freighter series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600
series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of chafed wiring at
the upper left corner of the cockpit door. The affected wire bundle was
not grounded on the cockpit door frame. This AD requires modifying the
cockpit door frame structure, installing bonding-leads to the upper
cockpit door frame, and modifying the upper cockpit door plate cover.
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 7, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 7,
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
Internet: http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2015-3631.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3631; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone:
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>;
fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus
Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter
series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series
airplanes. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2016
(81 FR 36211) (``the SNPRM''). We preceded the SNPRM with a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that was published in the Federal Register
on September 18, 2015 (80 FR 56405) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM proposed
to require modifying the cockpit door frame structure, installing
bonding-leads to the upper cockpit door frame, and modifying the upper
cockpit door plate cover. The NPRM was prompted by reports of chafed
wiring at the upper left corner of the cockpit door. The SNPRM proposed
to also require, for certain airplanes, installing a noise-reduced
cockpit door locking system (CDLS). We are issuing this AD to prevent
electrical shock injury to persons contacting the cockpit door.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2015-0037, dated March 2, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series
airplanes; Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; and Model A340-
200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An operator has reported chafed wiring at the upper left corner
of the cockpit door. The investigation concluded that the affected
wire bundle, which supplies a voltage of 115V [volt] AC [alternating
current], was not grounded on the cockpit door frame as part of the
design of A330 and A340 aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in injury
[electrical shock], in case any person gets in contact with the door
frame.
    Prompted by these findings, Airbus issued SB [service bulletin]
A330-25-3534, SB A340-25-4349 and SB A340-25-5212 to provide
instructions to modify the electrical bonding of the cockpit door.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification of the cockpit door frame structure, installation of
bonding-leads to the upper cockpit door frame and modification of
the upper cockpit door plate cover.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3631.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the SNPRM and
the FAA's response to each comment.

Requests To Remove Requirement for Additional Concurrent Actions

    Delta Airlines (DAL) requested that we remove the proposed
requirement to install the CDLS as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin
A330-25-3254, Revision 02, dated December 13, 2004. American Airlines
(AAL) requested that we clarify the airplanes affected by that proposed
requirement. Both commenters stated that Airbus has confirmed that
installation of the noise-reduced CDLS specified in Airbus Service
Bulletin A330-25-3254, Revision 02, dated December 13, 2004, is
optional and applies only to certain Qantas Airways Limited airplanes.
Airbus stated that modification of the airplane as specified in Airbus
Service Bulletin A330-25-3213, Revision 02, dated August 12, 2016, has
the same impact on the airplane as the modification specified in Airbus
Service Bulletin A330-25-3254, Revision 02, dated December 13, 2004.
Airbus explained that the airplanes affected by proposed requirement
are defined as configuration 01 in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-
3534, Revision 02, dated May 18, 2015, which will be corrected at its
next revision to remove the reference to optional Airbus Service
Bulletin A330-25-3254, Revision 02, dated December 13, 2004.
    We agree with the commenters' requests. We have confirmed that
modification of the airplane as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin
A330-25-3254, Revision 02, dated December 13, 2004, is optional and
applies only to certain Qantas Airways Limited airplanes. We have
removed paragraphs (i) and (j)(3) from the proposed AD (in the SNPRM)
and redesignated subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Changes to Final Rule

    Airbus has released Service Bulletin A330-25-3213, Revision 02,
dated August 12, 2016. This service information revision specifies
minor additional work to replace the fasteners of the cover of the
cockpit door frame. We have determined that this minor change will not
increase the overall cost estimates specified in the SNPRM or otherwise
impose an additional burden on any operator. We have revised paragraph
(h) of this AD to specify A330-25-3213, Revision 02, dated August 12,
2016, as an appropriate source of service information for accomplishing
the required actions. We have removed Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-
3213, dated October 12, 2004, from paragraph (j)(2)(i) of the proposed
AD (in the SNPRM) and redesignated subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
SNPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the SNPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued the following service information.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-3213, Revision 02, dated
August 12, 2016. This service information describes procedures for
modification of the upper cockpit door plate cover.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-3534, Revision 02, dated
May 18, 2015. This service information describes procedures for
modifying the cockpit

door frame structure and installing bonding-leads to the upper cockpit
door frame.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-4217, Revision 01, dated
April 25, 2005. This service information describes procedures for
modification of the upper cockpit door plate cover.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-4349, Revision 02, dated
September 4, 2015. This service information describes procedures for
modifying the cockpit door frame structure and installing bonding-leads
to the upper cockpit door frame.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5046, Revision 02, dated
February 5, 2007. This service information describes procedures for
modification of the upper cockpit door plate cover.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5212, Revision 01, dated
October 27, 2014. This service information describes procedures for
modifying the cockpit door frame structure and installing bonding-leads
to the upper cockpit door frame.
    This service information 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 70 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate that it would take about 53 work-hours per product to
comply with the new basic requirements of this AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $2,430 per
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $485,450, or $6,935 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.

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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

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

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 (AD):

2016-25-31 Airbus: Amendment 39-18757; Docket No. FAA-2015-3631;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-060-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 7, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus airplanes, certificated in any
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of
this AD, except airplanes on which Airbus Modification 203066,
Modification 203074, or Modification 203372 has been embodied in
production.
    (1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -301,
-302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; all
manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs); if modified in-service as
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-3161, or in production
with Airbus Modification 50014.
    (2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes;
all MSNs, if modified in-service as specified in Airbus Service
Bulletin A340-25-4181, or in production with Airbus Modification
50014.
    (3) Model A340-541 airplanes and Model A340-642 airplanes; all
MSNs.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of chafed wiring at the upper
left corner of the cockpit door. The affected wire bundle was not
grounded on the cockpit door frame. We are issuing this AD to
prevent electrical shock injury to persons contacting the cockpit
door.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Door Modification and Installation

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the
cockpit door frame structure and install bonding-leads to the upper
cockpit door frame, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the applicable service information identified in
paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-3534, Revision 02, dated May
18, 2015.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-4349, Revision 02, dated
September 4, 2015.
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5212, Revision 01, dated
October 27, 2014.

(h) Cover Plate Modification of the Upper Flight Deck Door

    Except for airplanes on which Airbus Modification 52869 or
Modification 53292 has been embodied in production: Prior to or
concurrently with accomplishing the actions required by paragraph
(g) of this AD, modify the upper cockpit door plate cover, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable
service information identified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and
(h)(3) of this AD.
    (1) For configuration 1 airplanes identified in Airbus Service
Bulletin A330-25-3534, Revision 02, dated May 18, 2015: Airbus
Service Bulletin A330-25-3213, Revision 02, dated August 12, 2016.
    (2) For airplanes identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-
4349, Revision 02, dated September 4, 2015: Airbus Service Bulletin
A340-25-4217, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2005.
    (3) For airplanes identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-
5212, Revision 01,

dated October 27, 2014: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5046,
Revision 02, dated February 5, 2007.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-
3534, Revision 01, dated October 23, 2014; or Airbus Service
Bulletin A340-25-4349, Revision 01, dated October 27, 2014, as
applicable. These service bulletins are not incorporated by
reference in this AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraph (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using the applicable service information
specified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i), (i)(2)(ii), and (i)(2)(iii) of
this AD. This service information is not incorporated by reference
in this AD.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-4217, dated October 12,
2004.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5046, dated October 12,
2004.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5046, Revision 01, dated
May 11, 2005.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Vladimir
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
Information may be emailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this
AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended.
Those procedures and tests that are not 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 procedures and tests identified as
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA AD 2015-0037, dated March 2, 2015, for related
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2015-3631.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-3213, Revision 02, dated
August 12, 2016.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-3534, Revision 02, dated
May 18, 2015.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-4217, Revision 01, dated
April 25, 2005.
    (iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-4349, Revision 02, dated
September 4, 2015.
    (v) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5046, Revision 02, dated
February 5, 2007.
    (vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-25-5212, Revision 01, dated
October 27, 2014.
    (3) For service information identified in this 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; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
Internet: http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 6, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30280 Filed 12-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P