Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series Airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes; and Model A310 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71455-71456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30341]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-40-AD; Amendment 39-12969; AD 2002-24-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series 
Airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-
600) Series Airplanes; and Model A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series 
airplanes; and Model A310 series airplanes. This amendment requires 
revising the Airplane Flight Manual to advise the flightcrew to don 
oxygen masks as a first and immediate step when the cabin altitude 
warning horn sounds. This action is necessary to prevent incapacitation 
of the flightcrew due to lack of oxygen, which could result in loss of 
control of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 6, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this AD may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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

[[Page 71456]]

include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all 
Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and Model A310 
series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on July 17, 
2002 (67 FR 46937). That action proposed to require revising the 
Airplane Flight Manual to advise the flightcrew to don oxygen masks as 
a first and immediate step when the cabin altitude warning horn sounds.

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 168 Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4; A300-600; 
and Model A310 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD. It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane 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 $10,080, 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, 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:

2002-24-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-12969. Docket 2002-NM-40-AD.
    Applicability: All Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) 
series airplanes; and Model A310 series airplanes; certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent incapacitation of the flightcrew due to lack of 
oxygen, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Revision to the Airplane Flight Manual

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable, to 
advise the flightcrew to don oxygen masks as a first and immediate 
step when the cabin altitude warning horn sounds.
    (1) For Model A300 series airplanes, revise the Emergency 
Procedures section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). 
This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

                         ``Emergency Procedures
 
 
 
Cabin Depressurization:
    Crew Oxygen Masks.....................  ON
    Crew Communications...................  established
    Passenger Oxygen......................  as required
    Emergency Descent.....................  as required (see 3.02.00
                                             page 8)''
 

    (2) For Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes: Revise the 
Procedures Following Failure section of the FAA-approved AFM. This 
may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

                     ``Procedures Following Failure
 
 
 
Cabin Press:
    Excess Cab Alt........................
    Oxy Masks.............................  ON
    Descent...............................  AS RQRD
    If Rapid Decompression Emerg Descent    APPLY''
     Proc.
 

Removal of AD From AFM

    (b) When the information included in the AFM procedures 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD has been 
incorporated into the FAA-approved general revision of the AFM, and 
the information contained in the general revision is identical to 
that specified in this AD, this AD may be removed from the AFM.

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

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from 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.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 6, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-30341 Filed 11-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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