[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 175 (Friday, September 8, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54445-54447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23041]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 175 / Friday, September 8, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 54445]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-154-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 
series airplanes. This proposal would require verifying the correct 
location of the labels of the hydraulic pipes supplying the strut 
unlocking actuator of the left-hand main landing gear (MLG), and of the 
pipes of the left- and right-hand cross brace; reidentifying the pipes; 
and replacing any incorrectly located label with a new label. This 
action is necessary to prevent cross connection of the hydraulic hoses 
or pipes that supply the main strut unlocking actuator, and collapse of 
the MLG under lateral taxiing loads. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-154-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-154-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2000-NM-154-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. 2000-NM-154-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 all Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that an operator reported the collapse of 
the left-hand main landing gear (MLG) during taxiing. Such collapse of 
the MLG resulted in severe damage to the airplane and the engine.
    Investigation of the incident indicated that the collapse of the 
MLG was caused by cross connection of the hydraulic hoses that supply 
the strut unlocking actuator of the left-hand MLG. In addition, the 
labeling of the ``up'' and ``down'' hydraulic pipes, which are attached 
to the MLG and connected to the hoses, was inverted. The cross 
connection of the hoses, in combination with the inverted labeling, 
caused the MLG to become unlocked, which led to its collapse under 
lateral taxiing loads. Additional investigations revealed that several 
other airplanes in the fleet had been delivered with similar inverted 
labeling of the hydraulic pipes of the left-hand MLG. (This 
installation on the right-hand MLG was labeled correctly.)
    Cross connection of the hydraulic hoses or pipes that supply the 
main strut unlocking actuator, if not corrected, could lead to collapse 
of the MLG under lateral taxiing loads.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A300-32A0437 (for Model A300 
series airplanes) and A300-32A6080 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes), both dated April 5, 2000. These service

[[Page 54446]]

bulletins describe procedures for verifying the correct location of the 
labels of the hydraulic pipes supplying the strut unlocking actuator of 
the left-hand main landing gear (MLG), and of the pipes of the left-and 
right-hand cross brace; reidentifying the pipes; and replacing any 
incorrectly located label with a new label. The service bulletins 
reference Airbus Service Bulletins A300-57A0234 and A300-57A6087, as 
well as Messier-Dowty International Service Bulletin No. 470-32-792, as 
additional sources of service information for accomplishment of the 
specified actions.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletins 
A300-32A0437 and A300-32A6080 is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these service 
bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2000-
204-309(B), dated May 17, 2000, 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 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. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 87 Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes 
of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would 
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts would be provided by the vendor at no cost to operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $5,220, or $60 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 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-154-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 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 (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 cross connection of the hydraulic hoses or pipes that 
supply the main strut unlocking actuator, which could lead to 
consequent collapse of the MLG under lateral taxiing loads, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 1,000 flight hours or 3 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Verify the correct location 
of the labels of the hydraulic pipes supplying the strut unlocking 
actuator of the left-hand main landing gear (MLG), and of the pipes 
of the left- and right-hand cross brace, and reidentify the pipes, 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32A0437 (for Model 
A300 series airplanes) or A300-32A6080 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes), both dated April 5, 2000, as applicable. If any label is 
located incorrectly, prior to further flight, replace the label with 
a new label in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

    Note 2: The service bulletins reference Airbus Service Bulletins 
A300-57A0234 and A300-57A6087, as well as Messier-Dowty 
International Service Bulletin No. 470-32-792, as additional sources 
of service information for accomplishment of the specified actions.

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

[[Page 54447]]

a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-204-309(B), dated May 17, 2000.



    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 1, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager,, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-23041 Filed 9-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P