Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes and Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35532-35533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16741]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-04-AD; Amendment 39-12306; AD 2001-13-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes and 
Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called 
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 certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes and Model A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series 
airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to 
prohibit the airplane from being moved during inertial reference unit 
alignment. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a 
loss of positioning data and a display of incorrect attitude data to 
the flight crew, which could result in severe consequences to the 
airworthiness of the airplane if operated under flight conditions with 
no visual reference. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 10, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 10, 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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 certain Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes and Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R 
(collectively called A300-600) series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on April 26, 2001 (66 FR 20948). That action proposed 
to require revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit the 
airplane from being moved during inertial reference unit alignment.

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.

Change to the Final Rule

    Paragraph (b) of the proposal has been changed to a ``note'' in 
this final rule, since the material contained in that paragraph is 
informational only.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 157 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 AFM revision, 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 $9,420, 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.

[[Page 35533]]

    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:

2001-13-24  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12306. Docket 2001-NM-04-
AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes and Model A300 B4-
600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; with installed Inertial 
Reference Units (IRU) Honeywell 10 MCU part number (P/N) HG1050BD02 
or HG1050BD05.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a loss of positioning data and a display of incorrect 
attitude data to the flight crew, accomplish the following:

Revision to Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Normal Procedures section of the FAA-approved AFM to include the 
following information. This may be accomplished by inserting either 
a copy of this AD or Temporary Revision (TR) 4.03.00/22, dated 
September 18, 2000, into the A310 AFM or the A300-600 AFM, as 
applicable, facing 4.03.00 page 1.

``COCKPIT PREPARATION

    Do not move the aircraft during IRS alignment.

PRIOR TO TAKEOFF

    Scan PFD/ND to check correct display of all primary attitude and 
heading information.''

    Note 1: When the information in TR 4.03.00/22 has been 
incorporated into FAA-approved general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be incorporated in the AFM, and this TR or 
this AD may be removed from the AFM.

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations 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

    (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) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Temporary Revision 4.03.00/22, 
dated September 18, 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 2000-480-325(B), dated November 29, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 10, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 27, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16741 Filed 7-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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