[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 15, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68878-68879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28966]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-114-AD; Amendment 39-11978; AD 2000-23-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, 
that requires replacement of the flight control computers (FCC) with 
new, improved FCC's having updated software installed. This amendment 
also requires, for some airplanes, modification of the wiring of the 
FCC's. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
autopilot reversions in certain flight conditions, which could result 
in misunderstanding by the flight crew and consequent reduced ability 
to take appropriate action. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 20, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 20, 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, 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 
August 25, 2000 (65 FR 51775). That action proposed to require 
replacement of the flight control computers (FCC) with new, improved 
FCC's having updated software installed. That action also proposed to 
require, for some airplanes, modification of the wiring of the FCC's.

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 116 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It will take as much as 17 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required replacements, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost as much as $5,064 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the required replacements on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be as much as $705,744, or $6,084 per 
airplane.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification of the wiring, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
required modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,960, or 
$60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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.

[[Page 68879]]

    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:

2000-23-08  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11978. Docket 2000-NM-
114-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes equipped with flight 
control computers (FCC) having part number (P/N) B350AAM4 or 
B470ABM2, and Model A300-600 series airplanes equipped with FCC's 
having P/N B470AAM2; certificated in any category; except those 
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 11899 or 11900 (Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-22-2048 or A310-22-2049 or A300-22-6038) has 
been accomplished.

    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 autopilot reversions in certain flight conditions, 
which could result in misunderstanding by the flight crew and 
consequent reduced ability to take appropriate action, accomplish 
the following:

Replacement of FCC's and Modification of Wiring

    (a) Within 26 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the FCC's with new, improved FCC's having updated software 
installed; and modify the wiring, as applicable; in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3), as applicable.
    (1) For Airbus Model A310 series airplanes equipped with FCC's 
having P/N B350AAM4: Replace the FCC's in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-22-2048, Revision 01, dated March 6, 2000.
    (2) For Airbus Model A310 series airplanes equipped with FCC's 
having P/N B470ABM2: Replace the FCC's in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-22-2049, Revision 02, dated March 6, 2000. 
Prior to or concurrent with the replacement, modify the wiring in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2051, Revision 02, 
dated March 8, 2000.
    (3) For Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes equipped with 
FCC's having P/N B470AAM2: Replace the FCC's in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6038, dated August 24, 1999. Prior 
to or concurrent with the replacement, modify the wiring in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6040, Revision 02, 
dated March 6, 2000.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2048, dated December 13, 1999; A310-
22-2049, dated August 24, 1999, or Revision 01, dated December 13, 
1999; A310-22-2051, dated August 26, 1999, or Revision 01, dated 
December 13, 1999; or A300-22-6040, dated August 26, 1999, or 
Revision 01, dated December 13, 1999; is acceptable for compliance 
with the applicable actions specified in that paragraph.


    Note 3: The Airbus service bulletins reference SEXTANT Service 
Bulletins B350AAM-22-008, B470AAM-22-013, and B470ABM-22-012, each 
dated September 29, 1999, as additional sources of service 
information for accomplishing the replacement required by 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. 
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 4: 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 Service 
Bulletin A310-22-2048, Revision 01, dated March 6, 2000; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-22-2049, Revision 02, dated March 6, 2000; 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2051, Revision 02, dated March 8, 
2000; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6038, dated August 24, 1999; 
and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6040, Revision 02, dated March 
6, 2000; as applicable. 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-137-305(B), dated August 21, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 20, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 6, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28966 Filed 11-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U