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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42267-42269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14173]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20867; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-188-AD; 
Amendment 39-14194; AD 2005-15-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. This AD requires an 
inspection for evidence of chafing between the hydraulic flexible hose 
and the ram air turbine (RAT) hub, and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by reports of 
holes in the RAT hub cover. We are issuing this AD to prevent a hole in 
the RAT hub cover. A hole in the RAT hub cover could allow water to 
enter the RAT governing mechanism, freeze during flight, and jam the 
governing mechanism. In addition, the metal particles that result from 
chafing between the hydraulic flexible hose and the RAT could mix with 
the lubricant grease and degrade the governing mechanism. In an 
emergency, a jammed or degraded RAT could result in its failure to 
deploy, loss of hydraulic pressure or electrical power to the airplane, 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 26, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 
26, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20867; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-188-AD.

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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R 
series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). That action, published 
in the Federal Register on April 6, 2005 (70 FR 17340), proposed to 
require an inspection for evidence of chafing between the hydraulic 
flexible hose and the ram air turbine (RAT) hub, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that was 
submitted on the proposed AD.

Request To Revise Compliance Time

    The commenter requests that the compliance time be revised from the 
proposed 2,500 flight hours after the effective date of the AD to 15 
months after the effective date of the AD. However, the commenter 
acknowledges that the 2,500-flight-hour compliance time should be 
sufficient for the 12 U.S.-registered airplanes to receive the required 
inspection. The commenter notes that revising the compliance time would 
allow the proposed inspection to be accomplished during a regularly 
scheduled C-check. The commenter notes that it has no affected 
airplanes in its fleet. The commenter also states that, based on its 
experience, replacing the RAT would take about 3 hours.
    We do not concur with the commenter's request to revise the 
compliance time. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this 
AD, we considered the manufacturer's recommendation; the recommendation 
of the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile, which is 
the airworthiness authority for France; the degree of urgency 
associated with the subject unsafe condition; the average utilization 
of the affected fleet; the maintenance schedules of the majority of 
affected operators; and the time necessary to perform the inspection (1 
work hour). In light of all of these factors, we find that a 2,500-
flight-hour compliance time represents an appropriate interval of

[[Page 42268]]

time for affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising 
safety. We have determined that this compliance time will also allow 
the majority of affected operators to comply with the requirements of 
this AD at a scheduled maintenance visit. We have not changed the AD in 
this regard.
    We acknowledge the commenter's estimate that replacing the RAT 
would take about 3 hours. However, the economic analysis of an AD is 
limited to the cost of actions that are actually required. The economic 
analysis does not consider the costs of conditional actions, such as 
replacing the RAT if damage found during the required inspection 
exceeds the limits specified in the Airbus A300-600 Component 
Maintenance Manual. Such conditional corrective action would be 
required--regardless of AD direction--to correct an unsafe condition 
identified in an airplane and to ensure that the airplane is operated 
in an airworthy condition, as required by the Federal Aviation 
Regulations. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

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

Explanation of Additional Change to Final Rule

    We have revised paragraph (f) of this AD to correct a typographical 
error. (In one place, the proposed AD contained the term ``RAMs'' 
instead of ``RATs.'')

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that was submitted, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Number  of
                                   Work      Average                         Cost per       U.S.-
             Action                hours    labor rate         Parts         airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                             per hour                                     airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................         1          $65  None required.....         $65            12        $780
Rework binding.................         1           65  None required.....          65            12         780
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 (AD):

2005-15-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-14194. Docket No. FAA-2005-20867; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-188-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 26, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, 
B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes; certificated in any category; having serial numbers 0812, 
0813, 0815 through 0818 inclusive, 0821 through 0828 inclusive, and 
0836 through 0838 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of holes in the ram air 
turbine (RAT) hub. We are issuing this AD to prevent a hole in the 
RAT hub cover. A hole in the RAT hub cover could allow water to 
enter the RAT governing mechanism, freeze during flight, and jam the 
governing mechanism. In addition, the metal particles that result 
from chafing between the hydraulic flexible hose and the RAT could 
mix with the lubricant grease and degrade the governing mechanism. 
In an emergency, a jammed or degraded RAT could result in failure of 
RAT deployment, loss of hydraulic pressure or electrical power to 
the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within

[[Page 42269]]

the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been 
done.

Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 2,500 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Do a one-time detailed inspection for evidence of chafing 
between the hydraulic flexible hose and the RAT hub, and any 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, by 
accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-29-6054, 
Revision 01, excluding Appendix 01, dated November 4, 2004. Any 
applicable corrective actions must be accomplished before further 
flight. Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer, and to submit damaged RATs to the 
vendor or a repair station, this AD does not include those 
requirements.

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

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-29-6054, excluding Appendix 01, dated June 8, 2004, 
are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-133, dated August 4, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-29-6054, Revision 
01, excluding Appendix 01, dated November 4, 2004, to perform the 
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the 
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service 
information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review 
copies of the service information, go to the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-14173 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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