[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38154-38155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18102]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-110-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 and 
A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require a detailed 
visual inspection to detect damage to the terminal lugs on the 12XC and 
15XE connectors and the mounting lugs on the 15XE connector; and repair 
or replacement of the terminal lugs or the 15XE connector with new 
parts, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by the issuance of a 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to detect and correct broken terminal and mounting lugs on the 
15XE and 12XC connectors in the 101VU panel in the avionics 
compartment, which could result in loss of electrical power from the 
standby generator.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-110-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW, Renton, 
Washington.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-110-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-110-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that operators have reported cases of 
broken terminal lugs on the three-phase wiring to the 12XC and 15XE 
connectors located on the essential part of the 101VU panel in the 
avionics compartment on airplanes equipped with a standby generator. 
The DGAC also advises that the mounting lugs on the 15XE connector were 
also found broken. Preliminary indications are that the mounting 
configuration of connector 15XE is transmitting vibration to the 
terminal lugs of both connectors and to the mounting lugs of 15XE. Such 
failures, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of 
electrical power from the standby generator.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued an All Operators Telex (AOT) 24-09, Revision 01, 
dated August 13, 1998, which describes procedures for inspecting the 
terminal lugs on the 12XC and 15XE connectors and the mounting lugs on 
the 15XE connector for damage; and repair or replacement of the 
terminal lugs or the 15XE connector with new parts, if necessary.
    The DGAC classified Airbus AOT 24-09 as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 1999-077-278(B), dated February 24, 1999, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation

[[Page 38155]]

described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in Airbus AOT 24-09, described previously.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be an interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that approximately 109 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $13,080, or $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Docket 99-NM-110-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 05911 has been installed, and Model A300-600 series 
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 06214 has been installed; 
equipped with a standby generator (FIN 25XE); certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 detect and correct broken terminal lugs on the 12XC and 15XE 
connectors, and mounting lugs on the 15XE connector in the 101VU 
panel in the avionics compartment, which could result in loss of 
electrical power from the standby generator, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight hours, or 
within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, accomplish the actions required by 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Airbus 
All Operators Telex (AOT) 24-09, Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998.
    (1) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the terminal lugs on 
the 12XC and 15XE connectors to detect damage (i.e., overheat, 
cracking, twisting, or total rupture). If any damage is detected, 
prior to further flight, replace the terminal lugs with new terminal 
lugs, part number NSA936501TA1004.
    (2) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the mounting lugs on 
connector 15XE to detect damage (i.e., cracking or breaking). If any 
damage is detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the 
requirements of either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Replace connector 15XE with a new connector, part number 
25811BOHUNTKL vendor code F0214 ECE. Or,
    (ii) Repair connector 15XE in accordance with Airbus AOT 24-09, 
Section 4.2.2.3. Repeat the detailed visual inspection required by 
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD of the repaired connector thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 1 week, and repeat the repair with new cable 
ties thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 months, until the 
replacement required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this AD is accomplished.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive, 1999-077-278(B), dated February 24, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 9, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18102 Filed 7-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U