Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-3C, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34088-34090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15936]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-374-AD; Amendment 39-12289; AD 2001-13-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-
3C, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 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 B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-3C, B4-2C, B4-
103, and B4-203 series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection 
of the space between the fuel quantity indication (FQI) probes and any 
adjacent structures for minimum clearance, and corrective action, if 
necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the 
possibility of electrical arcing to the fuel tank if the airplane 
should be struck by

[[Page 34089]]

lightning. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective August 1, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 1, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 B2-1C, B2-
203, B2K-3C, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 series airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register on May 4, 2001 (66 FR 22478). That action 
proposed to require a one-time inspection of the space between the fuel 
quantity indication (FQI) probes and any adjacent structures for 
minimum clearance, and corrective action, if necessary.

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

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 20 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 7 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,400, or $420 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2001-13-09  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12289. Docket 2000-NM-
374-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-3C, B4-2C, B4-
103, and B4-203 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 (c) 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 the possibility of electrical arcing to the fuel tank 
if the airplane should be struck by lightning, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, inspect the clearance space from each fuel quantity indication 
(FQI) probe to any adjacent structure or metallic component, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0080, dated 
September 28, 2000.

Clearance Adjustment

    (b) If, during the inspection mandated in paragraph (a) of this 
AD, the clearance between any probe and its adjacent parts, as 
described in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0080, dated September 
28, 2000, is less than 3.0 mm (0.118 in.), prior to further flight, 
adjust the position of the FQI probe in accordance with paragraph 
3.C. of the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 2: 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

    (d) 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.

[[Page 34090]]

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-28-0080, dated September 28, 2000. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-455-322(B), dated November 15, 2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 19, 2001.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-15936 Filed 6-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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