[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51190-51192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24201]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-110-AD; Amendment 39-11327; AD 99-19-40]
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 certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, 
that requires 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 amendment is 
prompted by the issuance of a mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this 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: Effective October 27, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 27, 1999.

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

[[Page 51191]]

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 certain Airbus Model A310 and 
A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 
15, 1999 (64 FR 38154). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Changes Made to Proposal

    The FAA has added a note to the final rule to clarify the 
definition of a detailed visual inspection. Additionally, the FAA has 
corrected a typographical error of a part number in paragraph (a)(2)(i) 
of this final rule.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. 
The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

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 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the required 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 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.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

99-19-40  AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-11327. 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.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and 
elaborate access procedures may be required.''


[[Page 51192]]


    (i) Replace connector 15XE with a new connector, part number 
25811BOSHUNTKL 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 3: 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operators Telex (AOT) 24-09, Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998. 
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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive, 1999-077-278(B), dated February 24, 1999.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24201 Filed 9-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U