[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 250 (Thursday, December 28, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82262-82263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32762]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-48-AD; Amendment 39-12052; AD 2000-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series 
Airplanes, and Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (A300-
600) Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 and A300-600 
series airplanes, that currently requires wiring modifications to the 
engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fire detection system. This 
amendment requires new wiring modifications for the engine and APU fire 
detection system. 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 
fire warning from terminating prematurely, which could result in an 
unnoticed, uncontained engine/APU fire.

DATES: Effective February 1, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 1, 2001.

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) by superseding AD 99-27-10, 
amendment 39-11491 (65 FR 204, January 4, 2000), which is applicable to 
certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, was published 
in the Federal Register on August 2, 2000 (65 FR 47356). The action 
proposed to require new wiring modifications to the engine and 
auxiliary power unit (APU) fire detection system.

Clarification of Model Designation

    Since the issuance of the proposed AD, the FAA has changed the 
manner in which it identifies the airplane models referred to as 
``Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes'' to reflect the 
model designation specified on the type certificate data sheet. This 
final rule has been revised to show the appropriate model designations 
for those airplanes.

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

    There are approximately 113 Model A300 B2 and B4 and A300-600 
series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.
    The actions required by this AD will take approximately 26 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $484 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the requirements of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $230,972, or $2,044 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. 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.
    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 removing amendment 39-11491 (65 FR 
204, January 4, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12052, to read as follows:

2000-26-03  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12052. Docket 2000-NM-48-
AD. Supersedes AD 99-27-10, Amendment 39-11491.

    Applicability: Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes, and Model 
A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (A300-600) series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; except those on which 
Airbus Modifications 06267 and 07340 have been accomplished during 
production.

    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,

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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)(1) 
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 fire warning from terminating prematurely, which 
could result in an unnoticed, uncontained engine/auxiliary power 
unit (APU) fire, accomplish the following:

Modifications

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the wiring modifications for the engine and APU fire 
detection system in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-26-
6038, Revision 03, dated March 30, 2000 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes); or A310-26-2024, Revision 06, dated March 31, 2000 (for 
Model A310 series airplanes); as applicable.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the wiring modifications prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-26-6038, Revision 02, dated November 9, 1999, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions specified in 
this AD.

Alternative Method of Compliance

    (b)(1) 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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in 
accordance with AD 99-27-10, are approved as alternative methods of 
compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

    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 wiring modifications shall be done in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-26-6038, Revision 03, dated March 30, 
2000; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2024, Revision 06, dated 
March 31, 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-238-286(B) R2, dated May 17, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 1, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 18, 2000.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-32762 Filed 12-27-00; 8:45 am]
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