Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4, A300 B4-600 and B4-600R, and A310 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64112-64114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30202]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-204-AD; Amendment 39-12543; AD 2001-24-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4, A300 B4-
600 and B4-600R, and A310 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 A300 B2 and B4, A300 B4-600 and B4-
600R, and A310 series airplanes, that requires modification of the 
terminal blocks of the starter feeder line of the auxiliary power unit 
(APU). This action is necessary to prevent slackness and subsequent 
overheat and arcing of certain wiring connections. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 16, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 16, 2002.

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 certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and 
B4, A300 B4-600 and B4-600R, and A310 series airplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on August 27, 2001 (66 FR 44990). That action 
proposed to require modification of the terminal blocks of the starter 
feeder line of the auxiliary power unit (APU).

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 153 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 1 to 3 work hours per 
airplane (depending on configuration) to accomplish the required 
actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$60 to $180 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.''

[[Page 64113]]

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:

2001-24-26  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12543. Docket 2001-NM-
204-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplanes, certificated in any 
category:

                                             Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Excluding those airplanes modified per Airbus Modification 10212, or
                 Model                                           Airbus Service Bulletin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes.......  A300-24-0079, Revision 02, dated January 3, 2001.
A300 B4-600 and B4-600R series          A300-24-6034, Revision 03, dated April 6, 2001.
 airplanes.
A310 series airplanes.................  A310-24-2045, Revision 05, dated April 6, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 slackness and subsequent overheat and arcing of 
certain wiring connections, accomplish the following:

Modification and Replacement

    (a) Modify the terminal blocks (including a general visual 
inspection of the threaded portion of the lugs to detect damage, 
distortion, or elongation; measurement of stud dimensions; and re-
identification of the terminal blocks), as specified by Table 2 of 
this AD. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, 
replace the terminal block with a new part in accordance with the 
applicable service bulletin. Table 2 follows:

                   Table 2.--Modification Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Prior to the times
                                   Perform the          specified by
                                 modification in     paragraphs (i) and
           For Model             accordance with      (ii),  whichever
                                  Airbus Service     occurs later, for
                                     Bulletin            each model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A300 B2 and B4 series       A300-24-0079,      (i) The accumulation
 airplanes.                      Revision 02,       of 32,000 total
                                 dated January 3,   flight cycles or
                                 2001.              40,000 total flight
                                                    hours, whichever
                                                    occurs first.
                                                   (ii) 3,600 flight
                                                    cycles after the
                                                    effective date of
                                                    this AD.
(2) A300 B4-600 and B4-600R     A300-24-6034,      (i) The accumulation
 series airplanes.               Revision 03,       of 26,000 total
                                 dated April 6,     flight cycles or
                                 2001.              40,000 flight hours,
                                                    whichever occurs
                                                    first.
                                                   (ii) 3,600 flight
                                                    cycles after the
                                                    effective date of
                                                    this AD.
(3) A310 series airplanes.....  A310-24-2045,      (i) The accumulation
                                 Revision 05,       of 26,000 total
                                 dated April 6,     flight cycles or
                                 2001.              40,000 flight hours,
                                                    whichever occurs
                                                    first.
                                                   (ii) 3,600 flight
                                                    cycles after the
                                                    effective date of
                                                    this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''


    Note 3: Modification, prior to the effective date of this AD, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-0079, dated March 
15, 1993, or Revision 01, dated September 22, 1993 (for Model A300 
B2 and B4 series airplanes); A300-24-6034, dated March 15, 1993, 
Revision 01, dated September 22, 1993; or Revision 02, dated 
September 7, 1994 (for Model A300 B4-600 and B4-600R series 
airplanes); or A310-24-2045, dated March 15, 1993, Revision 01, 
dated September 22, 1993, Revision 02, dated September 7, 1994, 
Revision 03, dated February 24, 1995, or Revision 04, dated November 
24, 1995 (for Model A310 series airplanes); is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

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 Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 4: 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 A300-24-0079, Revision 02, dated January 3, 2001; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-24-6034, Revision 03, dated April 6, 2001; or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2045, Revision 05, dated April 6, 
2001; 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

[[Page 64114]]

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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-266(B), dated June 27, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 16, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30202 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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