FR Doc 04-22469

[Federal Register: October 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 197)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60801-60802]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13oc04-4]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18602; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-160-AD;
Amendment 39-13816; AD 2004-20-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and certain Airbus Model
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes; and Model C4-605R
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600). This AD requires an
inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain
repairs, and applicable related investigative/corrective actions if
necessary. This AD is prompted by the results of an engineering
evaluation that revealed that several repairs and some allowable damage
limits specified in the structural repair manuals do not provide
adequate static and/or fatigue strength for repaired wing slats. We are
issuing this AD to find and fix previously done repairs of the wing
slats that have inadequate static and/or fatigue strength, which, if
not corrected, could result in loss of the slats and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 17, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
November 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. You
can examine this information 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
.

You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.

Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: 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.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.

Examining the 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 DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and
certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes. The proposed AD
was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42368),
to require an inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for
damage and certain repairs, and applicable related investigative/
corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

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

Costs of Compliance

This AD will affect about 120 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
actions will take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an average labor
rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost
of the AD for U.S. operators is $23,400, or $195 per airplane.

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:

[[Page 60802]]

2004-20-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-13816. Docket No. FAA-2004-18602;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-160-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November
17, 2004.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Table 1.--Applicability
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Model Serial nos.
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A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes......... All.
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series 796 and earlier.
airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called A300-
600).
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Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by the results of an engineering
evaluation that revealed that several repairs and some allowable
damage limits specified in the structural repair manuals do not
provide adequate static and/or fatigue strength for repaired wing
slats. We are issuing this AD to find and fix previously done
repairs of the wing slats that have inadequate static and/or fatigue
strength, which, if not corrected, could result in loss of the slats
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

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.

Service Bulletins

(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin
listed in Table 2 of this AD.

Table 2.--Service Bulletins
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For model Airbus service bulletin
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(1) A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4- A300-57-6092, Revision 02, dated
600R series airplanes, and Model November 21, 2002.
C4-605R Variant F airplanes
(collectively called A300-600).
(2) A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes A300-57-0238, Revision 02, dated
November 21, 2002.
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Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions

(g) Within 18 months or 1,500 flight cycles from the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection of
the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain repairs,
and do all applicable related investigative/corrective actions, by
accomplishing all the actions in the applicable service bulletin. Do
the actions in accordance with the service bulletin, except as
required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD. Do any related
investigative/corrective action before further flight.

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

Repair

(h) If any damage is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, and the service bulletin recommends
contacting Airbus for appropriate action: Before further flight,
repair in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate;
or the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its
delegated agent).
(i) If any repair that has a specific Airbus approval other than
a Repair Approval Sheet signed by the DGAC (or its delegated agent)
is found during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
and the service bulletin specifies that the related investigative
action is not necessary: Before further flight, do the applicable
related investigative/corrective actions required by paragraph (g)
of this AD.
(j) Where there are differences between this AD and the service
bulletin, the AD prevails.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

(l) French airworthiness directive 2003-086(B), effective March
15, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(m) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0238, Revision
02, dated November 21, 2002; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-
6092, Revision 02, dated November 21, 2002; as applicable; 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. For copies of the
service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. For information on the availability of
this material at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management

Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW.,
room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22469 Filed 10-12-04; 8:45 am]

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