[Federal Register: June 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 124)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38821-38823]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jn04-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-13696; AD 2004-13-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 Series Airplanes;
Model A300 B4 Series Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4 605R
Variant F, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B2 series airplanes; Model A300 B4
series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4 605R Variant F,
and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; that
requires inspection of the label of certain slat friction brakes for
correct label wording, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD
also provides for optional terminating actions for certain repetitive
corrective actions. These actions are necessary to find and fix
incorrect labels on the housings of the slat friction brakes, which may
lead to the use of unapproved oil in the brakes. Use of unapproved oil
could affect the efficiency of the brakes and lead to failure of the
brakes to maintain proper slat orientation in the event of a rupture of
the slat drive shaft, consequent uncommanded retraction of the slat,
and reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to
address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective August 3, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 3, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in the proposed rule may
be obtained from Airbus, 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 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/
[[Page 38822]]
code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.
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 all Airbus Model A300 B2 series
airplanes; Model A300 B4 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-
600R, C4 605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600)
series airplanes; was published in the Federal Register on March 24,
2004 (69 FR 13763). That action proposed to require inspection of the
label of certain slat friction brakes for correct label wording, and
corrective actions if necessary. That action also provided for optional
terminating actions for certain repetitive corrective actions.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
Request To Add Preemptive Brake Replacement Option
One commenter, an operator, requests an option be added to allow
removal and replacement of friction brakes prior to further flight
without performing the oil replacement/sampling requirements. The
commenter states that it has already accomplished the specified
inspections and replaced any suspect brakes on all its airplanes.
The FAA agrees with the commenter. Paragraph (d)(2) of this AD
already provides the option to terminate the repeat torque verification
by replacing the brake. We recognize that if the replacement specified
in paragraph (d)(2) is performed prior to further flight after the
inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, it is not necessary to
perform the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD. Therefore,
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) have been rewritten to address this
concern.
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 with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,800, or $65 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:
2004-13-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-13696. Docket 2003-NM-52-AD.
Applicability: All Model A300 B2 series airplanes; Model A300 B4
series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4 605R Variant F,
and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the possible use of unqualified oil in the slat
friction brakes, which could cause failure of the brakes to maintain
proper slat orientation in the event of a rupture of the slat drive
shaft, consequent uncommanded retraction of the slats, and reduced
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
All Operators Telex (AOT) Reference
(a) The term AOT as used in this AD means paragraph 4.3,
``Description,'' of the following, as applicable:
(1) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: Airbus AOT
27A0199, Revision 01, dated February 5, 2003.
(2) For Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes: Airbus AOT
27A6055, Revision 01, dated February 5, 2003.
Inspection
(b) Within 3 weeks from the effective date of this AD, perform a
general visual inspection of the label on the housings of the slat
friction brakes for correct wording, in accordance with the
applicable AOT. Accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph
(d)(2) of this AD prior to further flight after accomplishing
paragraph (b) eliminates the requirement for paragraph (c) of this
AD.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
[[Page 38823]]
Corrective Actions
(c) If the wording of the label is found to be incorrect during
the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, prior to
further flight, remove the label, then perform the actions specified
in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD in accordance
with the applicable AOT, or perform the actions specified in
paragraph (d)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 500 flight hours after removing the incorrect label,
apply a correctly worded label to the housing.
(2) Prior to further flight after removing the label, drain the
friction brake and refill with Exxon 2120 oil.
(3) Prior to further flight after removing the label, verify the
torque of the friction brake.
(i) If the torque is within the limits specified in the
applicable AOT, repeat the torque verification thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, until the optional
terminating actions specified in paragraph (d) of this AD have been
accomplished.
(ii) If the torque is not within the limits specified in the
applicable AOT, prior to further flight, replace the friction brake
with a new brake in accordance with the applicable AOT.
Accomplishment of this replacement terminates the requirement for
the repetitive torque verification for that brake.
Optional Terminating Actions
(d) Accomplishment of either paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this
AD terminates the repetitive torque verification required by
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this AD.
(1) Analyze the oil drained from the friction brake.
(i) If the oil is Exxon 2120, no further action is required by
this AD.
(ii) If the oil is not Exxon 2120, prior to further flight,
replace the friction brake as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this
AD.
(2) Replace the friction brake with a new brake in accordance
with the applicable AOT.
Analysis of Brake Oil
(e) Although the referenced AOTs describes procedures for
submitting oil drained from the friction brakes to the brake
manufacturer for analysis, this AD does not require that the
manufacturer be the sole source of such analysis.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) 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
(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All
Operators Telex 27A0199, Revision 01, dated February 5, 2003; or
Airbus All Operators Telex 27A6055, Revision 01, dated February 5,
2003; as applicable. 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, 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 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
.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2003-048(B), dated February 5, 2003.
Effective Date
(h) This amendment becomes effective on August 3, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14567 Filed 6-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P