[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11113-11114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5481]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-205-AD; Amendment 39-10374; AD 98-05-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 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 A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time visual inspection to determine the accuracy of the 
outer placards of the static ports. This amendment also requires a one-
time inspection to detect crossed connections of the air data static 
system and the static probe heating system, and correction of any 
discrepancies. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
erroneous display of altitude information to the flight crew, and 
consequent reduced operational safety during all phases of flight.

DATES: Effective April 10, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 10, 1998.

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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; 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 A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 6, 
1997 (62 FR 60049). That action proposed to require a one-time visual 
inspection to determine the accuracy of the outer placards of the 
static ports. That action also proposed to require a one-time 
inspection to detect crossed connections of the air data static system 
and the static probe heating system, and correction of any 
discrepancies.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request for Change of Applicability

    One commenter requests that the applicability of the AD be revised 
to exclude airplanes manufactured after the issuance of Airbus All 
Operators Telex (AOT) 34-04, dated July 16, 1996. The commenter states 
that, since the issuance of that AOT, the manufacturer has corrected 
assembly line faults that had resulted in the cross-connection of 
static lines and probe heat wiring (which is the unsafe condition 
identified in this AD).
    The FAA does not concur that the applicability should be changed. 
The FAA finds that, based on information provided by the manufacturer, 
there is no available production modification that is equivalent to the 
procedures specified in the AOT (which is the appropriate source of 
service information for accomplishment of the requirements of this AD). 
However, the FAA has verified that the manufacturer performs and 
documents the AOT-specified inspections prior to delivery. Therefore, 
by means of the phrase, ``Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously'' in the Compliance section of this AD, operators are 
credited for work already performed; airplanes having delivery records 
that document accomplishment of the AOT are not subject to the 
requirements of this AD. The FAA has determined that, in light of the 
severity of the unsafe condition and the minimal burden on operators, 
the applicability of this AD should remain unchanged in order to ensure 
compliance.

Conclusion

    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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 94 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 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 $28,200, or $300 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,

[[Page 11114]]

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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

98-05-13  Airbus: Amendment 39-10374. Docket 97-NM-205-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) 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 erroneous display of altitude information to the 
flight crew, and consequent reduced operational safety during all 
phases of flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time visual inspection of the outer placards of the 
static ports to determine that the identification of the static port 
corresponds with the specified position on the aircraft, in 
accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-04, dated July 
16, 1996.
    (b) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time visual inspection of the pneumatic connections of 
the captain, first officer, and standby air data static systems to 
detect cross-connected tubing, and conduct an operational check of 
each of the static probe heating systems to detect cross-connected 
wiring, in accordance with Airbus AOT 34-04, dated July 16, 1996.
    (c) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
correct the discrepancy in accordance with Airbus AOT 34-04, dated 
July 16, 1996.
    (d) 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, International Branch, ANM-116. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operators Telex 34-04, dated July 16, 1996. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-098-216(B), dated March 26, 1997.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 10, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 25, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5481 Filed 3-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U