[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47808-47809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22599]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-10-AD; Amendment 39-9744; AD 96-18-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 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 A300-600 series airplanes, that requires 
inspections to detect cracking of the upper radius of the forward 
fitting of frame 47, and repair, if necessary. This amendment is 
prompted by results of full-scale fatigue testing, which revealed 
cracking in the upper radius of frame 47. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to prevent such fatigue cracking, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of frame 47 of the fuselage.

DATES: Effective October 16, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 16, 1996.

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: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2589; fax (206) 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 A300-600 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1996 (61 FR 
33874). That action proposed to require repetitive eddy current 
inspections to detect cracking of the upper radius of the left and 
right forward fitting of frame 47, and repair, if necessary.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 35 Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $8,400, or $240 per airplane.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


39.13  [Amended]

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

96-18-18 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9744. Docket 96-NM-10-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of frame 47 of the 
fuselage, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 17,300 total landings, or 
within one year after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracking 
of the upper radius of the left and right forward fitting of frame 
47, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-53-6029, 
Revision 2, dated November 7, 1994.

[[Page 47809]]

    (1) If no cracking is found during an eddy current inspection: 
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,600 
landings.
    (2) If any cracking is found during an eddy current inspection: 
Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved 
by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate.
    (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 inspection shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-53-6029, Revision 2, dated November 7, 1994, 
which contains the following list of effective pages:

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                                    Revision level                      
            Page No.                shown on page     Date shown on page
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1-3.............................  2................  Nov. 7, 1994.      
4-6.............................  1................  Feb. 23, 1994.     
7-22............................  Original.........  Aug. 23, 1993.     
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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 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 October 16, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 29, 1996.
Bill Boxwell,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22599 Filed 9-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U