[Federal Register: December 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 246)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 74163-74164]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de03-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-119-AD; Amendment 39-13392; AD 2003-25-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600 Series
Airplanes, Model A300 B4-600R Series Airplanes, Model A300 C4-605R
Variant F Airplanes, and Model A300 F4-605R 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 B4-600 series airplanes, Model
A300 B4-600R series airplanes, Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes,
and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes. This AD requires modification of
certain components of the 115 Volts Alternating Current (VAC) supply
wiring and of the fuel gauging system. This action is necessary to
prevent short circuits between 115 VAC wiring and certain fuel system
electrical wire runs with subsequent overheating of the cadensicon
sensor thermistor or fuel level sensor, which could be great enough to
ignite fuel vapors in the fuel tank and cause an explosion. This action
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective January 27, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 27, 2004.
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: 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: 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 B4-600
series airplanes, Model A300 B4-600R series airplanes, Model A300 C4-
605R Variant F airplanes, and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2003 (68 FR 52862).
That action proposed to require modification of certain components of
the 115 Volts Alternating Current (VAC) supply wiring and of the fuel
gauging system.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received. The commenter supports the proposed AD.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, 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 70 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 29 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$8,938 per airplane. Based on these
[[Page 74164]]
figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $757,610, or $10,823 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 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:
2003-25-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-13392. Docket 2002-NM-119-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes, Model A300
B4-600R series airplanes, Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes,
and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes; as listed in Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-28-6066, dated November 8, 2000; or Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-28-6070, Revision 01, dated March 22, 2002;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent short circuits between 115 Volts Alternating Current
(VAC) wiring and certain fuel system electrical wire runs with
subsequent overheating of the cadensicon sensor thermistor or fuel
level sensor, which could be great enough to ignite fuel vapors in
the fuel tank and cause an explosion, accomplish the following:
Modification
(a)Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, modify elements of the electrical wiring to separate the
cadensicon wiring from the 115 VAC wiring, in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6066, dated November 8, 2000.
(b)Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, modify elements of the electrical wiring to separate the 115 VAC
supply wiring of the fuel gauging system, in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6070, Revision 01, dated March 22, 2002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-28-6066, dated November 8, 2000; and Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-28-6070, Revision 01, dated March 22, 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 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 2002-172(B) and 2002-171(B), both dated
April 3, 2002.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31191 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
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