[Federal Register: March 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 46)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10919-10921]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09mr04-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-04-AD; Amendment 39-13491; AD 2004-04-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 Series
Airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R
(Collectively Called A300-600); and A310 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 and A300 B4 series airplanes;
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively
called A300-600); and A310 series airplanes. This AD requires, for
certain airplanes, identifying the part number of the landing gear
selector valves. For all airplanes, this AD requires repetitive
maintenance tasks or operational tests of the landing gear selector
valves, and replacing discrepant valves with certain new valves. This
action is necessary to prevent failure of the landing gear selector
valves, which could result in residual pressure on the retraction
chamber side of the electro-hydraulic
[[Page 10920]]
selector, and consequent uncommanded retraction of the landing gear
when the airplane is on the ground. This action is intended to address
the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective April 13, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 13, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer;
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1503; 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 and A300
B4 series airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600); and A310 series airplanes; was
published in the Federal Register on December 22, 2003 (68 FR 71045).
That action proposed to require, for certain airplanes, identifying the
part number of the landing gear selector valves. For all airplanes,
that action proposed to require repetitive maintenance tasks or
operational tests of the landing gear selector valves, and replacing
discrepant valves with certain new valves.
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.
Change to Proposed AD
We have slightly revised the description of Model A300-600 series
airplanes in this final rule. The revised description more accurately
reflects the listing on the type certificate data sheet and identifies
the model/series as ``A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600)'' series airplanes.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the
change described above.
Cost Impact
The following table provides the estimated costs to do the actions
specified in this AD.
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Average Number of
Model Action Work hourly Cost per airplane U.S. Fleet cost
hours labor rate airplanes
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A300 B2 A300 B4.................. Part number 1 $65 $65 32 $2,080
identification.
MPD task........... 1 65 65, per task cycle 32 2,080, per task cycle
Operational test... 1 65 65, per test cycle 32 2,080, per test cycle
A300-600......................... Operational test... 1 65 65, per test cycle 89 5,785, per test cycle
A310............................. Operational test... 1 65 65, per test cycle 47 3,055, per test cycle
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The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD, 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:
2004-04-10 Airbus: Amendment 39-13491. Docket 2002-NM-04-AD.
Applicability: All Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series
airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R
(collectively called A300-600); and A310 series airplanes;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the landing gear selector valves, which
could result in residual pressure on the retraction chamber side of
the electro-hydraulic selector, and consequent uncommanded
retraction of the landing gear when the airplane is on the ground,
accomplish the following:
Part Number Identification
(a) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: Before the
accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles on the landing gear
selector
[[Page 10921]]
valves, or within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later, do the actions required by paragraphs
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Inspect to determine whether any selector valve having part
number (P/N) A25199-0-2 is installed.
(2) Replace any selector valve having P/N A25199-0-2 with a new
selector valve having P/N A25199-0-3, in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-32-0438, Revision 01, dated November 20, 2001.
Operational Test
(b) For airplanes installed with selector valves having P/N
A25199-0-3 only: Before the accumulation of 32,000 total flight
cycles on the landing gear selector valves, or within 600 flight
hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
perform an operational test of the selector valves. Do the test in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletins A300-32-0438 (for Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series
airplanes), A300-32-6082 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes and
Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes), and A310-32-2118 (for Model
A310 series airplanes); all Revision 01, dated November 20, 2001; as
applicable. Before further flight, replace any valve that fails the
operational test with a new valve having P/N A25199-0-3, in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
Follow-on and Corrective Actions
(c) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes that have not
been modified in accordance with Airbus Modification 3083 (Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-32-0269): Within 3,000 flight hours after the
accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles on the valve, or within
3,000 flight hours after performing the operational test required by
paragraph (b) of this AD, whichever occurs later, do task 323112-
0503-2 of the Airbus A300 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD).
Repeat the MPD task thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000
flight hours.
(d) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes that have
been modified in accordance with Airbus Modification 3083 (Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-32-0269), and for Model A300-600 and A310
series airplanes and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes: Repeat
the operational test specified in paragraph (b) of this AD at the
later of the times specified by paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this
AD. Thereafter, repeat the test at intervals not to exceed 18 months
or 2,800 flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
(1) Within 18 months or 2,800 flight cycles, whichever occurs
first, after the accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles on the
valve.
(2) Within 18 months or 2,800 flight cycles, whichever occurs
first, after performing the initial operational test required by
paragraph (b) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods
of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-0438,
Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated November 20, 2001; Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-32-6082, Revision 01, including Appendix 01,
dated November 20, 2001; and Airbus Service Bulletin A310-32-2118,
Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated November 20, 2001; 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 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 directive 2001-603(B), dated December 12, 2001.
Effective Date
(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 13, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 27, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4921 Filed 3-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P