[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 98 (Monday, May 22, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27005-27007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11907]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-193-AD; Amendment 39-9231; AD 95-10-14]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and 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, A310, and A300-600 series 
airplanes, that requires repetitive mechanical and electrical 
inspections to detect chafing of electrical wiring; and repair or 
replacement of discrepant parts, and repositioning the looms. This 
amendment is prompted by reports of wire chafing in the forward avionic 
compartment. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such chafing, which may lead to a short in the electrical circuits at 
the 104VU panel; this condition could result in unwanted 
depressurization, loss of wing de-icing, and loss of in-flight engine 
restart capability.

DATES: Effective June 21, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 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: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.

[[Page 27006]] 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, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on January 4, 1995 (60 FR 384). That action proposed to 
require repetitive mechanical and electrical inspections to detect 
discrepancies; and repair or replacement of discrepant parts, and 
repositioning the looms.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Two commenters support the proposed rule.
    One commenter requests that the proposal be revised to include 
removal of the avionics bay ladder as an optional terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections. The commenter states that removing the 
avionics bay ladder will prevent future chafing. The commenter states 
that it has removed the avionics bay ladder in accordance with the 
Airplane Maintenance Manual and will request an alternative method of 
compliance. The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to 
revise the final rule. The FAA does not consider it appropriate to 
include various provisions in an AD applicable to a single operator's 
unique configuration of an affected airplane. Paragraph (b) of this AD 
provides for the approval of an alternative method of compliance to 
address these types of unique configurations.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will 
positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this 
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may 
consider additional rulemaking.
    The FAA estimates that 69 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 $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,140, or $60 
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The total 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 regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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

    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

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-10-14  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9231. Docket 94-NM-193-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent unwanted depressurization, loss of wing de-icing, and 
loss of in-flight engine restart capability, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 600 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Perform mechanical inspections to detect discrepancies, in 
accordance with paragraph 4.2.1. of Airbus All Operators Telex AOT 
24-05, Revision 1, dated June 7, 1994. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,050 flight hours. If any 
discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, repair or replace 
discrepant parts, and perform an electrical inspection in accordance 
with the AOT.
    (2) Perform an electrical inspection to detect discrepancies, in 
accordance with paragraph 4.2.2. of Airbus All Operators Telex AOT 
24-05, Revision 1, dated June 7, 1994. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months. If any discrepancy 
is detected, prior to further flight, repair or replace discrepant 
parts, and reposition the looms, in accordance with the AOT.
    -(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The inspections, repair, and replacement shall be done in 
accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex AOT 24-05, Revision 1, 
dated June 7, 1994. 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 
[[Page 27007]] Industrie, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 21, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-11907 Filed 5-19-95; 8:45 am]
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