Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32250-32251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12819]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-337-AD; Amendment 39-13663; AD 2004-12-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 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 A300 B4 series 
airplanes, that requires modification of the 107VU electronics rack in 
the avionics compartment to ensure that fluid does not enter the rack. 
This action is necessary to prevent the loss of electrical power during 
flight, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 14, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 14, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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 National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2797; 
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 
A300 B4 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 
5, 2004 (69 FR 10383). That action proposed to require modification of 
the 107VU electronics rack in the avionics compartment to ensure that 
fluid does not enter the rack.

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

    We have determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 120 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $390 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $78,000, or $650 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

[[Page 32251]]

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-12-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-13663. Docket 2002-NM-337-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes, 
except those on which Airbus Modification 12447 has been 
accomplished; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fluid from entering the 107VU electronics rack, which 
could result in the loss of electrical power during flight, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the 107VU electronics rack in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-0098, dated June 13, 
2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (c) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-24-0098, dated June 13, 2002. 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, 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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-579(B) R1, dated February 19, 2003.

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on July 14, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 28, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-12819 Filed 6-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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