Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series Airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, and A300 F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes; and Model A310 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 68 (Monday, April 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18287-18289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6914]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19227; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-95-AD; 
Amendment 39-14050; AD 2005-07-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series 
Airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, and 
A300 F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes; and Model 
A310 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series 
airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, and 
A300 F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and Model 
A310 series airplanes. That AD currently requires replacement of the 
transformer rectifier units (TRUs) in the avionics compartment with 
new, improved TRUs. This new AD requires replacement of the TRUs 
installed according to the existing AD with different TRUs that are 
improved. This AD is prompted by analysis that has revealed that 
certain diodes installed in the TRUs are the main factor contributing 
to the continuing TRU failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the TRUs. Failure of multiple TRUs could result in loss of 
the thrust reversers, autothrottle, flaps, and various systems (wing/
cockpit window anti-ice, trim tank pumps, and windshield wipers) on the 
airplane; or display of incorrect information to the flightcrew.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 16, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 
16, 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

[[Page 18288]]

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-2004-19227; the directorate identifier for 
this docket is 2003-NM-95-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an AD to supersede 
AD 2000-18-07, amendment 39-11892 (65 FR 54407, September 8, 2000). The 
existing AD applies to certain Airbus Model A300, A300-600, and A310 
series airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal Register 
on October 4, 2004 (69 FR 59153), to require replacement of the 
transformer rectifier units (TRUs) installed according to the existing 
AD with different TRUs that are improved.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been 
submitted on the proposed AD by a single commenter.

Request--Correct Typographical Error

    The commenter notes a typographical error in the citations for one 
of the service bulletins referenced in the proposed AD. While the 
preamble of the proposed AD correctly refers to Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-24-0099, Revision 01, dated December 18, 2003, the body of the 
proposed AD incorrectly refers to Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-0099, 
Revision 01, dated December 18, 2003. We have revised paragraphs (f) 
and (g) and Note 1 of this final rule to correct the typographical 
errors.

Request--Refer to Corresponding Service Bulletins in Applicability

    The commenter requests that we revise the applicability statement 
in paragraph (c) of the proposed AD to refer to the service bulletins 
that correspond to Airbus Modification 12540--Airbus Service Bulletins 
A300-24-0099 (for Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes), A300-24-6082 
(for Model A300-600 series airplanes), and A310-24-2088 (for Model A310 
series airplanes); all Revision 01; all dated December 18, 2003. The 
commenter notes that the applicability of French airworthiness 
directive 2003-082R1 excludes airplanes on which the relevant service 
bulletin has been done, but the applicability of the proposed AD does 
not exclude those airplanes. The commenter states that the exclusion in 
the French airworthiness directive is intended to minimize the burden 
on operators that have previously accomplished the relevant service 
bulletin. The commenter states that it does not understand the 
explanation of the applicability of the proposed AD that is contained 
in the paragraph ``Difference Between the French Airworthiness 
Directive and This Proposed AD.'' The commenter questions the FAA's 
concern and wonders whether the stated difference will become a general 
FAA policy.
    Our concern about referring in the applicability statement to the 
service bulletins corresponding to a production modification is the 
possibility that an airplane modified in service to be equipped with 
TRUs having part number (P/N) F11QY3714 could subsequently have those 
TRUs removed and replaced with TRUs having P/N F11QY3121. An operator 
could misunderstand the intent of an exclusion in the applicability 
statement and conclude that the airplane is no longer subject to the 
requirements of this AD because Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-0099, 
A300-24-6082, or A310-24-2088, as applicable, was done in the past. We 
find that not referring to these service bulletins in the applicability 
statement ensures that all affected airplanes will be equipped with 
TRUs having P/N F11QY3714. Also, we find this will not place a 
significant burden on affected operators because, if an airplane has 
been modified previously to be equipped with TRUs having P/N F11QY3714, 
according to paragraph (g) of this AD, no further action is required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD. We have not changed the final rule in this 
regard.

Request--Explain Omission of Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) 
Provision

    The commenter questions why the proposed AD does not mention the 
MMEL provision specified in French airworthiness directive 2003-082R1. 
The commenter notes that French airworthiness directive 2003-082R1 
specifies that doing the actions in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-
0099, A300-24-6082, or A310-24-2088, as applicable, is a way to come 
back to the DGAC's initial MMEL requirements.
    We find that it is not necessary for this AD to refer to the MMEL 
provision specified in French airworthiness directive 2003-082R1. The 
FAA does not issue ADs to mandate changes to the MMEL. Instead, the 
Chairman of the Flight Operations Evaluation Board, Flight Standards 
Service, FAA, revises the MMEL; then, operators of U.S.-registered 
airplanes must comply with the new provisions of the MMEL within 60 
days. In this case, the requirements of the FAA's MMEL are already 
equally restrictive or more restrictive than the DGAC's MMEL 
provisions. We have not changed the final rule in this regard.

Explanation of Additional Changes

    Note 1 of the proposed AD refers to Thales Service Bulletins 
F11QY3121-24-001, dated February 2, 1998; and F11QY3121-24-002, dated 
October 5, 2000. We have revised Note 1 in this final rule to refer to 
these service bulletins as Auxilec service bulletins.
    Also, a typographical error in paragraph (g) of the proposed AD 
resulted in an incorrect reference to paragraph (a) of the proposed AD, 
where we intended to reference paragraph (f) of the proposed AD. We 
have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to paragraph (f) of this 
AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments that have been 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

    This AD affects about 165 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The new actions take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. The parts manufacturer will provide 
required parts free of charge. Based on these figures, the estimated 
cost of the new actions required by this AD for U.S. operators is 
$21,450, or $130 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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.

[[Page 18289]]

    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged 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 AD.

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 removing amendment 39-11892 (65 FR 
54407, September 8, 2000), and adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-07-25 Airbus: Amendment 39-14050. Docket No. FAA-2004-19227; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-95-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective May 16, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2000-18-07, amendment 39-11892 (65 FR 
54407, September 8, 2000).

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; 
Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, and A300 
F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and Model 
A310 series airplanes; certificated in any category; except those on 
which Airbus Modification 12540 has been accomplished.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by analysis that has revealed that 
certain diodes installed in the transformer rectifier units (TRUs) 
are the main factor contributing to the continuing TRU failures. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent failure of multiple TRUs, which could 
result in loss of the thrust reversers, autothrottle, flaps, and 
various systems (wing/cockpit window anti-ice, trim tank pumps, and 
windshield wipers) on the airplane; or display of incorrect 
information to the flightcrew.

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.

Replacement of TRUs

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the existing TRUs, having P/N F11QY3121, in the avionics 
compartment with new, improved TRUs having P/N F11QY3714, according 
to the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
24-0099 (for Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes), A300-24-6082 
(for Model A300-600 series airplanes), or A310-24-2088 (for Model 
A310 series airplanes); all Revision 01; all dated December 18, 
2003; as applicable.

    Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletins A300-24-0099, A300-24-6082, and 
A310-24-2088; all Revision 01; refer to Thales Service Bulletin 
F11QY3121-24-003, dated October 15, 2002, as an additional source of 
service information for modifying the existing TRUs to the improved 
configuration. Thales Service Bulletin F11QY3121-24-003 specifies 
that Auxilec Service Bulletins F11QY3121-24-001, dated February 2, 
1998; and F11QY3121-24-002, dated October 5, 2000; must be done to 
add Amendments A and B, respectively, to P/N F11QY3121 before the 
TRU can be modified to P/N F11QY3714 according to Thales Service 
Bulletin F11QY3121-24-003.


    Note 2: The Accomplishment Instructions of Thales Service 
Bulletin F11QY3121-24-003 specify to ``complete implementation of 
the [Service Information Letter] SIL F11QY3121-24-004.'' This AD 
does not require doing the service information letter.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (g) Replacements done before the effective date of this AD 
according to Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-0099 (for Model A300 B2 
and B4 series airplanes), A300-24-6082 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes), or A310-24-2088 (for Model A310 series airplanes); all 
dated October 11, 2002; as applicable; are acceptable for compliance 
with the corresponding action required by paragraph (f) of 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 2003-082R1, dated March 31, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-0099, Revision 
01, dated December 18, 2003; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-6082, 
Revision 01, dated December 18, 2003; or Airbus Service Bulletin 
A310-24-2088, Revision 01, dated December 18, 2003; as applicable; 
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 these documents in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service 
information, go to 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 March 31, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6914 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
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