[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1537-1538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-376]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-24-AD; Amendment 39-11498; AD 2000-01-01]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-3C, 
B4-103, B4-2C, and B4-203 series airplanes, that requires 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 
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 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: Effective February 15, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 15, 2000.

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 certain Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, 
B2-1C, B2-203, B2K-3C, B4-103, B4-2C, and B4-203 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on November 16, 1999 (64 FR 62131). 
That action proposed to 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.

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.

Conclusion

    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 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected 
by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average labor rate 
is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $3,079 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on the 
single U.S. operator is estimated to be $3,259.
    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 adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2000-01-01  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11498. 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 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

[[Page 1538]]

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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin
    A300-27-0184, Revision 01, dated December 4, 1998, which 
contains the following list of effective pages:
    Revision Level Date

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision level
            Page No.                shown on page     Date shown on page
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1-8............................  1..................  December 4, 1998.
9-30...........................  Original...........  August 19, 1996.
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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.

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

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 15, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 3, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-376 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am]
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