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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No.

69 / Tuesday, April 11, 2006 / Proposed Rules 18237

for that model be amended later to List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25 SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
include any other model that Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting new airworthiness directive (AD) for
incorporates the same novel or unusual and recordkeeping requirements. certain Airbus Model A300 F4–600R
design feature, or should any other series airplanes and Model A300 C4–
model already included on the same The authority citation for these 605R Variant F airplanes. This proposed
type certificate be modified to special conditions is as follows: AD would require modifying certain
incorporate the same novel or unusual Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, structure in the fuselage zone at the
design features, the special conditions 44702, 44704. lavatory venturi installation in the nose
would also apply to the other model The Proposed Special Conditions section, and performing a related
under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101. investigative action and corrective
Accordingly, pursuant to the action if necessary. This proposed AD
Discussion of Novel or Unusual Design authority delegated to me by the results from an analysis that revealed
Features Administrator, the Federal Aviation that airplanes equipped with Airbus
Administration (FAA) proposes the Modification 08909 had a concentration
The A380 will have a flightdeck
following special condition as part of of loads higher than expected in the
bulkhead which is reinforced to resist
the type certification basis for the fuselage zone (high stress) at the
intrusion and ballistic penetration. On
Airbus A380–800 airplane. lavatory venturi installation in the nose
January 15, 2002, the FAA promulgated
In addition to the requirements of 14 section, which could be the origin of
14 CFR 25.795(a), which specifies that
CFR 25.795(a) governing protection of cracks that developed in the fuselage
the flightdeck door installation be
the flightdeck door, the following skin and propagated from the edge of
designed to resist forcible intrusion by
special conditions apply: the air vent hole. We are proposing this
unauthorized persons or penetration by
The bulkhead, including components AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the
small arms fire and fragmentation
that comprise the bulkhead, separating fuselage skin, which could result in loss
devices. The regulation was limited to
the flightcrew compartment from of the structural integrity of the fuselage
the flightdeck door to expedite a rapid
occupied areas must be designed to and consequent rapid depressurization
retrofit of existing airplanes which are
meet the following standards: of the airplane.
required by operating rules to have a
• It must resist forcible intrusion by
flightdeck door. DATES: We must receive comments on
unauthorized persons and be capable of
The FAA intends that the flightdeck this proposed AD by May 11, 2006.
withstanding impacts of 300 Joules
bulkhead—and any other accessible ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
(221.3 foot-pounds) at critical locations
barrier separating the flightcrew as well as a 1113 Newton (250 pound) addresses to submit comments on this
compartment from occupied areas—also constant tensile load on accessible proposed AD.
be designed to resist intrusion or handholds, including the doorknob or • DOT Docket Web site: Go to
penetration. We are in the process of handle. http://dms.dot.gov and follow the
rulemaking to amend § 25.795(a) to • It must resist penetration by small instructions for sending your comments
make that and other changes pertaining arms fire and fragmentation devices to electronically.
to security. • Government-wide rulemaking Web
a level equivalent to level IIIa of the
site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
Meanwhile, the FAA is proposing National Institute of Justice Standard
and follow the instructions for sending
special conditions for the Airbus Model (NIJ) 0101.04.
your comments electronically.
A380–800 regarding design of the Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, • Mail: Docket Management Facility,
reinforced flightdeck bulkhead 2006. U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
separating the flightcrew compartment Ali Bahrami, Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
from occupied areas. The special Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
conditions would require that the Aircraft Certification Service. • Fax: (202) 493–2251.
flightdeck bulkhead meet the same [FR Doc. E6–5240 Filed 4–10–06; 8:45 am] • Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
standards as those specified in BILLING CODE 4910–13–P the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
§ 25.795(a) for flightdeck doors. For the 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington,
A380, the bulkhead may be comprised DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
of components, such as lavatory and DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION through Friday, except Federal holidays.
crew rest walls; these components are Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
covered by these special conditions. Federal Aviation Administration Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France,
Applicability for service information identified in this
14 CFR Part 39 proposed AD.
As discussed above, these special FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24367; Directorate
conditions are applicable to the Airbus Identifier 2006–NM–041–AD] Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,
A380–800 airplane. Should Airbus International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
apply at a later date for a change to the RIN 2120–AA64 Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
type certificate to include another Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
model incorporating the same novel or Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–1622;
unusual design features, these special A300 F4–600R Series Airplanes and fax (425) 227–1149.
conditions would apply to that model as Model A300 C4–605R Variant F
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
hsrobinson on PROD1PC70 with PROPOSALS

well under the provisions of § 21.101. Airplanes


Comments Invited
Conclusion AGENCY: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of We invite you to submit any relevant
This action affects only certain novel Transportation (DOT). written data, views, or arguments
or unusual design features of the Airbus regarding this proposed AD. Send your
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
A380–800 airplane. It is not a rule of comments to an address listed in the
(NPRM).
general applicability. ADDRESSES section. Include the docket

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18238 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 11, 2006 / Proposed Rules

number ‘‘FAA–2006–24367; Directorate Relevant Service Information The applicability of the French
Identifier 2006–NM–041–AD’’ at the Airbus has issued Service Bulletin airworthiness directive excludes
beginning of your comments. We A300–53–6151, dated December 2, airplanes on which Airbus Service
specifically invite comments on the 2005. The service bulletin describes Bulletin A300–53–6151 was
overall regulatory, economic, procedures for modifying certain accomplished in service. However, we
environmental, and energy aspects of structure in the fuselage zone at the have not excluded those airplanes in the
the proposed AD. We will consider all lavatory venturi installation area applicability of this proposed AD;
comments received by the closing date between FR 12 and FR 12A on the left- rather, this proposed AD includes a
and may amend the proposed AD in hand side of the nose section, and requirement to accomplish the actions
light of those comments. performing a related investigative action specified in that service bulletin. This
We will post all comments we and corrective action if necessary. The requirement would ensure that the
receive, without change, to http:// related investigative action is a high actions specified in the service bulletin
dms.dot.gov, including any personal frequency eddy current inspection of and required by this proposed AD are
information you provide. We will also the skin panel cutout for cracking. The accomplished on all affected airplanes.
post a report summarizing each corrective action in the service bulletin Operators must continue to operate the
substantive verbal contact with FAA recommends contacting Airbus for airplane in the configuration required
personnel concerning this proposed AD. instructions for crack repair. by this proposed AD unless an
Using the search function of that web The DGAC mandated the service alternative method of compliance is
site, anyone can find and read the information and issued French approved.
comments in any of our dockets, airworthiness directive F–2006–030, Costs of Compliance
including the name of the individual dated February 1, 2006, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these This proposed AD would affect about
who sent the comment (or signed the
airplanes in France. 86 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
comment on behalf of an association,
proposed modification (including the
business, labor union, etc.). You may FAA’s Determination and Requirements inspection) would take about 28 work
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act of the Proposed AD hours per airplane, at an average labor
Statement in the Federal Register
These airplane models are rate of $80 per work hour. Required
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
manufactured in France and are type parts would cost about $1,260 per
19477–78), or you may visit http://
certificated for operation in the United airplane. Based on these figures, the
dms.dot.gov.
States under the provisions of section estimated cost of the proposed AD for
Examining the Docket 21.29 of the Federal Aviation U.S. operators is $301,000, or $3,500 per
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the airplane.
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in applicable bilateral airworthiness Authority for This Rulemaking
person at the Docket Management agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has Title 49 of the United States Code
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
p.m., Monday through Friday, except kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Federal holidays. The Docket Section 106, describes the authority of
Management Facility office (telephone DGAC’s findings, evaluated all pertinent
information, and determined that we the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza Aviation Programs, describes in more
need to issue an AD for airplanes of this
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT detail the scope of the Agency’s
type design that are certificated for
street address stated in the ADDRESSES authority.
operation in the United States.
section. Comments will be available in Therefore, we are proposing this AD, We are issuing this rulemaking under
the AD docket shortly after the Docket which would require accomplishing the the authority described in Subtitle VII,
Management System receives them. actions specified in the service Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701,
Discussion information described previously, ‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
except as discussed under ‘‘Differences section, Congress charges the FAA with
The Direction Générale de l’Aviation Among Proposed AD, French promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
Civile (DGAC), which is the Airworthiness Directive, and Service air commerce by prescribing regulations
airworthiness authority for France, Information.’’ for practices, methods, and procedures
notified us that an unsafe condition may the Administrator finds necessary for
exist on certain Model A300 F4–600R Differences Among Proposed AD, safety in air commerce. This regulation
series airplanes and Model A300 C4– French Airworthiness Directive, and is within the scope of that authority
605R Variant F airplanes. The DGAC Service Information because it addresses an unsafe condition
advises that analysis revealed that The service bulletin specifies that you that is likely to exist or develop on
airplanes equipped with Airbus may contact the manufacturer for products identified in this rulemaking
Modification 08909 had a concentration instructions on how to repair certain action.
of loads higher than expected in the conditions, but this proposed AD
fuselage zone (high stress) at the requires you to repair those conditions Regulatory Findings
lavatory venturi installation area using a method that we or the DGAC (or We have determined that this
between frame (FR) 12 and FR 12A on its delegated agent) approve. In light of proposed AD would not have federalism
the left-hand side of the nose section, the type of repair that would be required implications under Executive Order
hsrobinson on PROD1PC70 with PROPOSALS

which could be the origin of cracks that to address the unsafe condition, and 13132. This proposed AD would not
developed in the fuselage skin and consistent with existing bilateral have a substantial direct effect on the
propagated from the edge of the air vent airworthiness agreements, we have States, on the relationship between the
hole. This condition, if not corrected, determined that, for this proposed AD, national Government and the States, or
could result in loss of the structural a repair we or the DGAC (or its on the distribution of power and
integrity of the fuselage and consequent delegated agent) approve is acceptable responsibilities among the various
rapid depressurization of the airplane. for compliance with this proposed AD. levels of government.

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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 11, 2006 / Proposed Rules 18239

For the reasons discussed above, I skin, which could result in loss of the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
certify that the proposed regulation: structural integrity of the fuselage and
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory consequent rapid depressurization of the Federal Aviation Administration
action’’ under Executive Order 12866; airplane.
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the 14 CFR Part 39
Compliance
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures [Docket No. FAA–2006–24365; Directorate
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within Identifier 2006–NM–022–AD]
3. Will not have a significant
the compliance times specified, unless the RIN 2120–AA64
economic impact, positive or negative,
actions have already been done.
on a substantial number of small entities Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier
under the criteria of the Regulatory Modification/Investigative Action Model DHC–8–400 Series Airplanes
Flexibility Act. (f) Before the accumulation of 16,900 total
We prepared a regulatory evaluation flight cycles since first flight of the airplane: AGENCY: Federal Aviation
of the estimated costs to comply with Modify the fuselage zone at the lavatory Administration (FAA), Department of
this proposed AD and placed it in the venturi installation area between frame (FR) Transportation (DOT).
AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section 12 and FR 12A on the left-hand side of the ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
for a location to examine the regulatory nose section and do the related investigative (NPRM).
evaluation. action by accomplishing all the actions
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 specified in the Accomplishment
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300–
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation certain Bombardier Model DHC–8–400
53–6151, dated December 2, 2005.
safety, Safety. series airplanes. This proposed AD
Corrective Action would require repetitive inspections for
The Proposed Amendment cracks of the first fuel access panel
(g) If any crack is found during the
Accordingly, under the authority inspection required by this AD and Airbus outboard of the nacelle on the left- and
delegated to me by the Administrator, Service Bulletin A300–53–6151, dated right-hand wings, and related
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part December 2, 2005, specifies to contact Airbus investigative/corrective actions if
39 as follows: for crack repair: Before further flight, repair necessary. This proposed AD also
the crack using a method approved by either would require eventual replacement of
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS the Manager, International Branch, ANM– each access panel with a new access
DIRECTIVES 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or panel having a new part number. The
the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile replacement would terminate the
1. The authority citation for part 39 repetitive inspection requirements. This
(or its delegated agent).
continues to read as follows: proposed AD results from reports of
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Alternative Methods of Compliance cracks of the fuel access panels. We are
(AMOCs) proposing this AD to detect and correct
§ 39.13 [Amended] (h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, cracked fuel access panels, which could
2. The Federal Aviation ANM–116, has the authority to approve lead to arcing and ignition of fuel vapor
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 AMOCs for this AD, if requested in during a lightning strike, and result in
by adding the following new accordance with the procedures found in 14 fuel tank explosions and consequent
airworthiness directive (AD): CFR 39.19. loss of the airplane.
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2006–24367; (2) Before using any AMOC approved in DATES: We must receive comments on
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–041–AD. accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to this proposed AD by May 11, 2006.
which the AMOC applies, notify the
Comments Due Date ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
addresses to submit comments on this
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
this AD action by May 11, 2006. proposed AD.
Office. • DOT Docket Web site: Go to
Affected ADs Related Information http://dms.dot.gov and follow the
(b) None. (i) French airworthiness directive F–2006– instructions for sending your comments
Applicability 030, dated February 1, 2006, also addresses electronically.
the subject of this AD.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
F4–605R and F4–622R airplanes and Model Issued in Renton, Washington, on March and follow the instructions for sending
A300 C4–605R Variant F airplanes, 30, 2006.
certificated in any category; on which Airbus your comments electronically.
Modification 08909 has been done in Ali Bahrami, • Mail: Docket Management Facility,
production; except airplanes on which Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Airbus Modification 12980 has been done in Aircraft Certification Service. Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
production. [FR Doc. E6–5246 Filed 4–10–06; 8:45 am] room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
Unsafe Condition BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
(d) This AD results from an analysis that the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
revealed that airplanes equipped with Airbus 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
hsrobinson on PROD1PC70 with PROPOSALS

Modification 08909 had a concentration of DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
loads higher than expected in the fuselage
zone (high stress) at the lavatory venturi
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
installation in the nose section, which could
Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier
be the origin of cracks that developed in the Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt
fuselage skin and propagated from the edge Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K
of the air vent hole. We are issuing this AD 1Y5, Canada, for service information
to prevent fatigue cracking of the fuselage identified in this proposed AD.

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