[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62131-62133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29827]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-24-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2-203, 
B2K-3C, B4-103, B4-2C, and B4-203 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 A300 B2-1A, 
B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-3C, B4-103, B4-2C, and B4-203 series airplanes. This 
proposal would require modification of the wire harness routing next to 
the pitch artificial feel unit, and removal of the green and yellow 
colors from various connectors. This proposal is prompted by issuance 
of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent the electrical connections of the actuators of the 
green and yellow hydraulic systems for the pitch artificial feel unit 
from being cross connected due to the design of the wire harness 
routing, which could result in a stiff elevator control at takeoff, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

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

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-24-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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

[[Page 62132]]

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-24-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-24-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 A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2-203, 
B2K-3C, B4-103, B4-2C, and B4-203 series airplanes. The DGAC advises 
that, during maintenance, the electrical connectors of the green and 
yellow hydraulic systems for the pitch artificial feel unit may have 
been cross-connected due to the design of the wire harness routing 
(i.e., similar wire harness lengths leading to the actuator, equivalent 
electrical connectors, etc.). Cross-connecting these electrical wires 
could result in a stiff elevator control at takeoff. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-27-0184, dated August 19, 
1996, and Revision 01, dated December 4, 1998, which describes 
procedures for modification of the wire harness routing next to the 
pitch artificial feel unit, and removal of the green and yellow colors 
from various connectors. The modification involves replacing the 
inclusive fixing points on the wire harness routing next to the pitch 
artificial feel unit with a new, improved wire harness routing. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 98-447-264(B), dated November 18, 1998, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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 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 the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $3,079 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,259, 
or $3,259 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-24-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-3C, B4-103, 
B4-2C, and B4-203 series airplanes; except those airplanes

[[Page 62133]]

on which Airbus Modification 10702S20752 (reference Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-27-0184, dated August 19, 1996, or Revision 01, dated 
December 4, 1998) has been accomplished; 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 prevent the electrical connections of the actuators of the 
green and yellow hydraulic systems for the pitch artificial feel 
unit from being cross connected due to the design of the wire 
harness routing, which could result in a stiff elevator control at 
takeoff, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement and Removal

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-0184, 
Revision 01, dated December 4, 1998.
    (1) Replace the wire harness routing with a new, improved wire 
harness routing.
    (2) Remove the green and yellow colors from the connectors 
specified in the service bulletin.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions in paragraph (a) of this 
AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-0184, dated 
August 19, 1996, is considered acceptable for compliance with this 
AD.

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 
Secs. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-447-264(B), dated November 18, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29827 Filed 11-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U