[Federal Register: July 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 140)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42267-42269]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jy05-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20867; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-188-AD;
Amendment 39-14194; AD 2005-15-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and
F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F Airplanes
(Collectively Called A300-600 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 A300-600 series airplanes. This AD requires an
inspection for evidence of chafing between the hydraulic flexible hose
and the ram air turbine (RAT) hub, and related investigative and
corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by reports of
holes in the RAT hub cover. We are issuing this AD to prevent a hole in
the RAT hub cover. A hole in the RAT hub cover could allow water to
enter the RAT governing mechanism, freeze during flight, and jam the
governing mechanism. In addition, the metal particles that result from
chafing between the hydraulic flexible hose and the RAT could mix with
the lubricant grease and degrade the governing mechanism. In an
emergency, a jammed or degraded RAT could result in its failure to
deploy, loss of hydraulic pressure or electrical power to the airplane,
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 26, 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
26, 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-2005-20867; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-188-AD.
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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R
series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes
(collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). That action, published
in the Federal Register on April 6, 2005 (70 FR 17340), proposed to
require an inspection for evidence of chafing between the hydraulic
flexible hose and the ram air turbine (RAT) hub, and related
investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that was
submitted on the proposed AD.
Request To Revise Compliance Time
The commenter requests that the compliance time be revised from the
proposed 2,500 flight hours after the effective date of the AD to 15
months after the effective date of the AD. However, the commenter
acknowledges that the 2,500-flight-hour compliance time should be
sufficient for the 12 U.S.-registered airplanes to receive the required
inspection. The commenter notes that revising the compliance time would
allow the proposed inspection to be accomplished during a regularly
scheduled C-check. The commenter notes that it has no affected
airplanes in its fleet. The commenter also states that, based on its
experience, replacing the RAT would take about 3 hours.
We do not concur with the commenter's request to revise the
compliance time. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this
AD, we considered the manufacturer's recommendation; the recommendation
of the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile, which is
the airworthiness authority for France; the degree of urgency
associated with the subject unsafe condition; the average utilization
of the affected fleet; the maintenance schedules of the majority of
affected operators; and the time necessary to perform the inspection (1
work hour). In light of all of these factors, we find that a 2,500-
flight-hour compliance time represents an appropriate interval of
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time for affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising
safety. We have determined that this compliance time will also allow
the majority of affected operators to comply with the requirements of
this AD at a scheduled maintenance visit. We have not changed the AD in
this regard.
We acknowledge the commenter's estimate that replacing the RAT
would take about 3 hours. However, the economic analysis of an AD is
limited to the cost of actions that are actually required. The economic
analysis does not consider the costs of conditional actions, such as
replacing the RAT if damage found during the required inspection
exceeds the limits specified in the Airbus A300-600 Component
Maintenance Manual. Such conditional corrective action would be
required--regardless of AD direction--to correct an unsafe condition
identified in an airplane and to ensure that the airplane is operated
in an airworthy condition, as required by the Federal Aviation
Regulations. We have not changed the AD in this regard.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
We have revised the applicability of this AD to identify model
designations as published in the most recent type certificate data
sheet for the affected models.
Explanation of Additional Change to Final Rule
We have revised paragraph (f) of this AD to correct a typographical
error. (In one place, the proposed AD contained the term ``RAMs''
instead of ``RATs.'')
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that was submitted, and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Work Average Cost per U.S.-
Action hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Inspection..................... 1 $65 None required..... $65 12 $780
Rework binding................. 1 65 None required..... 65 12 780
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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.
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):
2005-15-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-14194. Docket No. FAA-2005-20867;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-188-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective August 26, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620,
B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F
airplanes; certificated in any category; having serial numbers 0812,
0813, 0815 through 0818 inclusive, 0821 through 0828 inclusive, and
0836 through 0838 inclusive.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of holes in the ram air
turbine (RAT) hub. We are issuing this AD to prevent a hole in the
RAT hub cover. A hole in the RAT hub cover could allow water to
enter the RAT governing mechanism, freeze during flight, and jam the
governing mechanism. In addition, the metal particles that result
from chafing between the hydraulic flexible hose and the RAT could
mix with the lubricant grease and degrade the governing mechanism.
In an emergency, a jammed or degraded RAT could result in failure of
RAT deployment, loss of hydraulic pressure or electrical power to
the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within
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the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been
done.
Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions
(f) Within 2,500 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD: Do a one-time detailed inspection for evidence of chafing
between the hydraulic flexible hose and the RAT hub, and any
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, by
accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-29-6054,
Revision 01, excluding Appendix 01, dated November 4, 2004. Any
applicable corrective actions must be accomplished before further
flight. Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain
information to the manufacturer, and to submit damaged RATs to the
vendor or a repair station, this AD does not include those
requirements.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
Actions Accomplished Previously
(g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-29-6054, excluding Appendix 01, dated June 8, 2004,
are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions
specified in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) 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.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-133, dated August 4,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-29-6054, Revision
01, excluding Appendix 01, dated November 4, 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 July 11, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-14173 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
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