Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series Airplanes, and Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (A300-600) Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 246 (Thursday, December 21, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80300-80301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31989]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-154-AD; Amendment 39-12045; AD 2000-25-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series 
Airplanes, and Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (A300-
600) Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes, and 
Model A300-600 series airplanes, that requires verifying the correct 
location of the labels of the hydraulic pipes supplying the strut 
unlocking actuator of the left-hand main landing gear (MLG), and of the 
pipes of the left- and right-hand cross brace; reidentifying the pipes; 
and replacing any incorrectly located label with a new label. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cross connection 
of the hydraulic hoses or pipes that supply the main strut unlocking 
actuator, and collapse of the MLG under lateral taxiing loads. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 25, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 
2000 (65 FR 54445). That action proposed to require verifying the 
correct location of the labels of the hydraulic pipes supplying the 
strut unlocking actuator of the left-hand main landing gear (MLG), and 
of the pipes of the left- and right-hand cross brace; reidentifying the 
pipes; and replacing any incorrectly located label with a new label.

Clarification of Model Designation

    Since the issuance of the proposed AD, the FAA has changed the 
manner in which it identifies the airplane models referred to as 
``Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes'' to reflect the 
model designation specified on the type certificate data sheet. This 
final rule has been revised to show the appropriate model designations 
for those airplanes.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that 
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 87 Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes 
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will be provided by the vendor at no cost to operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $5,220, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.

[[Page 80301]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-25-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12045. Docket 2000-NM-
154-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes, and 
Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (A300-600) series 
airplanes; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cross connection of the hydraulic hoses or pipes that 
supply the main strut unlocking actuator, which could lead to 
consequent collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) under lateral 
taxiing loads, accomplish the following:

Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 1,000 flight hours or 3 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Verify the correct location 
of the labels of the hydraulic pipes supplying the strut unlocking 
actuator of the left-hand MLG, and of the pipes of the left- and 
right-hand cross brace, and reidentify the pipes, in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32A0437 (for Model A300 series 
airplanes) or A300-32A6080 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes), 
both dated April 5, 2000, as applicable. If any label is located 
incorrectly, prior to further flight, replace the label with a new 
label in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

    Note 2: The service bulletins reference Airbus Service Bulletins 
A300-57A0234 and A300-57A6087, as well as Messier-Dowty 
International Service Bulletin No. 470-32-792, as additional sources 
of service information for accomplishment of the specified actions.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-32A0437, dated April 5, 2000; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-32A6080, dated April 5, 2000; as applicable. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point 
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-204-309(B), dated May 17, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 25, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-31989 Filed 12-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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