[Federal Register: June 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 122)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36833-36834]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jn05-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20861; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-020-AD;
Amendment 39-14170; AD 2005-13-33]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes. This AD requires
modifying the wiring of the autopilot pitch torque limiter switch. This
AD is prompted by several reports of pitch trim disconnect caused by
insufficient length in the wiring to the pitch torque limiter lever. We
are issuing this AD to prevent possible trim loss when the flightcrew
tries to override the autopilot pitch control, which could result in
uncontrolled flight of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August
1, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
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 U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20861; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2005-NM-020-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosanne Ryburn, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2139; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes.
That action, published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2005 (70 FR
17347), proposed to require modifying the wiring of the autopilot pitch
torque limiter switch.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the one comment that has
been submitted on the proposed AD.
Support for the Proposed AD
The commenter supports the proposed AD.
Change to This AD
We have updated reference to Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series
airplanes in paragraph (c) of this AD to match the common model
designation identified in the latest revision of the type certificate
data sheet.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 20 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions
take between 8 and 11 work hours per airplane, depending on airplane
configuration, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required
parts cost between $1,840 and $4,280 per airplane, depending on
airplane configuration. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of
the AD for U.S. operators is between $47,200 and $99,900, or between
$2,360 and $4,995 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
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.
[[Page 36834]]
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 (AD):
2005-13-33 Airbus: Amendment 39-14170. Docket No. FAA-2005-20861;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-020-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C,
and B2-203 airplanes; and Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203
airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-22-0117, dated September 7, 2004.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by several reports of pitch trim
disconnect caused by insufficient length in the wiring to the pitch
torque limiter lever. We are issuing this AD to prevent possible
trim loss when the flightcrew tries to override the autopilot pitch
control, which could result in uncontrolled flight 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.
Modification
(f) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the wiring of the autopilot pitch torque limiter switch, by doing
all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-0117, dated
September 7, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-0117, dated
September 7, 2004, to perform the actions that are required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of
the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to
the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington,
DC. To review copies of the service information, go to the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or
go to http://www.archives.gov/ federal-- register/code--of--
federal-- regulations/ibr--locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12505 Filed 6-24-05; 8:45 am]
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