Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50485-50487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25031]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-169-AD; Amendment 39-10780; AD 98-20-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 50486]]

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, that requires 
repetitive inspections to detect corrosion on the fuselage skin panels 
that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the wing; and 
follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted 
by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a 
foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to detect and correct corrosion on the fuselage skin 
panels that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the wing, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage 
pressure vessel.

DATES: Effective October 27, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 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 Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; 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 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 31, 1998 (63 FR 
40850). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections to 
detect corrosion on the fuselage skin panels that surround the 
emergency exits immediately aft of the wing; and follow-on corrective 
actions, if necessary.

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 24 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,880, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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

    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:

98-20-13  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10780. Docket 98-NM-169-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes, as listed in Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-301, Revision 1, dated February 
20, 1997; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct corrosion on the fuselage skin panels that 
surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the wing, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage 
pressure vessel, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a visual inspection to detect corrosion on the fuselage skin 
panels that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the 
wing, between frames 55 to 58, and from stringers 13 to 31, left and 
right; in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-
301, dated September 28, 1995, or Revision 1, dated February 20, 
1997.
    (1) If no corrosion is detected, repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months on all areas on the 
fuselage skin panels that do not have a doubler installed or areas 
that have not been partially or completely replaced.
    (2) If any corrosion is detected, prior to further flight, 
accomplish rework and perform a residual thickness measurement, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) If the measurement does not exceed the allowable limits 
specified by the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 18 months.
    (ii) If the measurement does exceed the allowable limits 
specified by the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin, prior to further flight, repair using a doubler, or 
replace the affected areas of the skin panel the installation of a 
new skin panel (partially or completely), in accordance

[[Page 50487]]

with the service bulletin. Accomplishment of either action 
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
required by this AD for the repaired area or the replaced panel 
sections only.

    Note 2: Inspections, repairs, and replacements of the fuselage 
skin panels that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the 
wing that have been accomplished prior to the effective date of this 
AD, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-
301, dated September 28, 1995, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the applicable action specified in this AD.

    (b) 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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-301, dated September 28, 1995, or 
Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-301, Revision 1, dated 
February 20, 1997. 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 
Industrie, 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 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-357-231(B), dated November 19, 1997.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25031 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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