[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10234-10236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3676]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-261-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and Model A300 B4-
600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This amendment proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Model A310 and Model A300 
B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) 
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the 
ejection jack on the ram air turbine (RAT). This action is necessary to 
prevent the ejection jack on the RAT from failing when the RAT is 
deployed at high airspeeds, leading to a loss of ability to properly 
restrain the movement of the RAT, possibly resulting in damage to the 
RAT itself and to other airplane components. In the event of an 
emergency, failure of the ejection jack on the RAT could also result in 
a reduction of hydraulic pressure or electrical power on the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-261-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. 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-261-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.

[[Page 10235]]

    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 FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-116, 1601 Lind Ave., SW, Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; 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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-261-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-261-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 A310 and Model A300 B4-600, 
A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series 
airplanes.
    The DGAC advises that an anomaly of the ejection jack of the ram 
air turbine (RAT) was found in production. Follow-up analyses showed 
that the nut at the end of the ejection jack piston rod has 
insufficient thread engagement to absorb impact loads when the RAT is 
deployed at high speed. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to 
a loss of ability to properly restrain the movement of the RAT, 
possibly resulting in damage to the RAT itself and to other airplane 
components. In the event of an emergency, failure of the ejection jack 
on the RAT could also result in a reduction of hydraulic pressure or 
electrical power on the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued service bulletin A300-29-6048, Revision 01 (for 
A300-600 series airplanes) and service bulletin A310-29-2086, Revision 
01 (for A310 series airplanes), both dated July 12, 2000. These service 
bulletins describe procedures for replacing the ejection jack in the 
RAT and testing the modified RAT. Replacing the ejection jack reduces 
impact loads by dampening the deployment of the RAT. Accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins is intended to 
adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified 
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness 
directive 2000-284-317(B), dated July 12, 2000, to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

Explanation of Secondary Service Information

    The Airbus service bulletins refer to Hamilton Sundstrand Service 
Bulletin No. ERPS03/04EJ-29-1 as an additional source of service 
information for accomplishment of the modification of the RAT and 
testing of the modified RAT.

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 21.19) 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 the 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 bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 117 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. There would be no charge 
for required parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,120, or $360 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 proposed 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 proposal would not

[[Page 10236]]

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 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.

Adoption of the 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-261-AD.
    Applicability: Model A310 and Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, 
and A300 F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; 
certificated in any category, except for airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 12259 has been embodied.

    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 per paragraph (c) 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 ejection jack on the ram air turbine (RAT) from 
failing when the RAT is deployed at high airspeeds, leading to a 
loss of ability to properly restrain the movement of the RAT, 
possibly resulting in damage to the RAT itself and to other airplane 
components and in reduced hydraulic pressure or electrical power, if 
such failure occurs during an emergency, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 34 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the RAT per Airbus Service Bulletin A310-29-2086, Revision 01 (for 
Model A310 series airplanes) or A300-29-6048, Revision 01 (for Model 
A300-600 series airplanes), both dated July 12, 2000, as applicable.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane an ejection jack, part number 730820, unless it has 
been modified per paragraph (a) of this AD.

    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins refer to Hamilton 
Sundstrand Service Bulletin No. ERPS03/04EJ-29-1, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishment of the modification 
of the RAT and testing of the modified RAT.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 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

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued per 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-284-317(B), dated July 12, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 7, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-3676 Filed 2-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U