Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600)

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60801-60802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22469]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18602; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-160-AD; 
Amendment 39-13816; AD 2004-20-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series 
Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series 
Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called 
A300-600)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and certain Airbus Model 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes; and Model C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600). This AD requires an 
inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain 
repairs, and applicable related investigative/corrective actions if 
necessary. This AD is prompted by the results of an engineering 
evaluation that revealed that several repairs and some allowable damage 
limits specified in the structural repair manuals do not provide 
adequate static and/or fatigue strength for repaired wing slats. We are 
issuing this AD to find and fix previously done repairs of the wing 
slats that have inadequate static and/or fatigue strength, which, if 
not corrected, could result in loss of the slats and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 17, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
November 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. You 
can examine this information 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.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on 
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Tim Backman, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

Examining the Docket

    The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final 
disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and 
certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes. The proposed AD 
was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42368), 
to require an inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for 
damage and certain repairs, and applicable related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the existing AD to identify 
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate 
data sheet for the affected models.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 120 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
actions will take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of the AD for U.S. operators is $23,400, or $195 per airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:


[[Page 60802]]


2004-20-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-13816. Docket No. FAA-2004-18602; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-160-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
17, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in in Table 1 of this AD.

                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Model                             Serial nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes.........  All.
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series  796 and earlier.
 airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F
 airplanes (collectively called A300-
 600).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by the results of an engineering 
evaluation that revealed that several repairs and some allowable 
damage limits specified in the structural repair manuals do not 
provide adequate static and/or fatigue strength for repaired wing 
slats. We are issuing this AD to find and fix previously done 
repairs of the wing slats that have inadequate static and/or fatigue 
strength, which, if not corrected, could result in loss of the slats 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Service Bulletins

    (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin 
listed in Table 2 of this AD.

                       Table 2.--Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             For model                     Airbus service bulletin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-    A300-57-6092, Revision 02, dated
 600R series airplanes, and Model     November 21, 2002.
 C4-605R Variant F airplanes
 (collectively called A300-600).
(2) A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes  A300-57-0238, Revision 02, dated
                                      November 21, 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 18 months or 1,500 flight cycles from the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection of 
the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain repairs, 
and do all applicable related investigative/corrective actions, by 
accomplishing all the actions in the applicable service bulletin. Do 
the actions in accordance with the service bulletin, except as 
required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD. Do any related 
investigative/corrective action before further flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
``an intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, 
system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or 
irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a 
direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by 
the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, 
etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures 
may be required.''

Repair

    (h) If any damage is detected during the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, and the service bulletin recommends 
contacting Airbus for appropriate action: Before further flight, 
repair in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its 
delegated agent).
    (i) If any repair that has a specific Airbus approval other than 
a Repair Approval Sheet signed by the DGAC (or its delegated agent) 
is found during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
and the service bulletin specifies that the related investigative 
action is not necessary: Before further flight, do the applicable 
related investigative/corrective actions required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD.
    (j) Where there are differences between this AD and the service 
bulletin, the AD prevails.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (l) French airworthiness directive 2003-086(B), effective March 
15, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0238, Revision 
02, dated November 21, 2002; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-
6092, Revision 02, dated November 21, 2002; as applicable; unless 
the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register 
approves the incorporation by reference of these documents in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the 
service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. For information on the availability of 
this material at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., 
room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22469 Filed 10-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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