[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35536-35538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16737]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-160-AD; Amendment 39-12302; AD 2001-13-20]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series 
airplanes, that currently requires a detailed visual inspection to 
detect damage to the terminal lugs on the 12XC and 15XE contactors and 
the mounting lugs on the 15XE contactor; corrective actions, if 
necessary; and certain conditional repetitive inspections. This action 
adds requirements for installation of a new mounting bracket for the 
15XE contactor, modification of the cable attachment adjacent to the 
contactor, and replacement of certain terminal lugs on the 15XE 
contactor by terminal lugs with a thicker contact area. 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 excessive vibrations 
generated by the mounting configuration of the 15XE contactor, which 
could cause breakage of the terminal and mounting lugs on the 15XE 
contactors in the 101VU panel in the avionics compartment, resulting in 
loss of electrical power from the standby generator.

DATES: Effective August 10, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 10, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex 24-09, 
Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998, as listed in the regulations, was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
October 27, 1999 (64 FR 51190, September 22, 1999).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex,

[[Page 35537]]

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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-
116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-
1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 99-19-40, 
amendment 39-11327 (64 FR 51190, September 22, 1999), which is 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, 
was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2001 (66 FR 
10382). The action proposed to supersede AD 99-19-40 to continue to 
require a detailed visual inspection to detect damage to the terminal 
lugs on the 12XC and 15XE contactors and the mounting lugs on the 15XE 
contactor; and corrective action, if necessary. The action proposed to 
add requirements for installation of a new mounting bracket for the 
15XE contactor, modification of the cable attachment adjacent to the 
contactor, and replacement of certain terminal lugs on the 15XE 
contactor with lugs having a thicker contact area.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter points out a typographical error that occurs 
throughout the proposed rule. The proposed rule incorrectly calls the 
12XC and 15XE ``connectors'' instead of ``contactors.'' This final rule 
has been changed to correctly reference these parts as ``contactors.''

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 109 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD. The following information describes the estimated 
cost impact on U.S. operators of this AD action:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Per-
                     Action                      Work  hours     Hourly    Parts  cost    airplane   Fleet  cost
                                                               labor rate                   cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................................            2          $60           $0         $120      $13,080
Modification...................................            5           60          490          790       86,110
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.
    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 39-11327 (64 FR 
51190, September 22, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12302, to read as follows:

2001-13-20  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12302. Docket 2000-NM-
160-AD. Supersedes AD 99-19-40, Amendment 39-11327.

    Applicability: The following airplanes, certificated in any 
category, and equipped with a standby generator (FIN 25XE); 
excluding airplanes on which Airbus Modification 12135 has been 
accomplished:
    Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R and Model A300 F4-600R 
(collectively called A300-600) series airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 06213 has been installed; and
    Model A310 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 05910 
has been installed.

    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 (d) 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 excessive vibrations generated by the mounting 
configuration of the 15XE

[[Page 35538]]

contactor, which could cause breakage of the terminal and mounting 
lugs on the 15XE contactor in the 101VU panel in the avionics 
compartment, resulting in loss of electrical power from the standby 
generator, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Certain Actions Required by AD 99-19-40

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight hours, or 
within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Accomplish the actions required by 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Airbus 
All Operators Telex (AOT) 24-09, Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998.
    (1) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the terminal lugs on 
the 12XC and 15XE contactors to detect damage (i.e., overheat, 
cracking, twisting, or total rupture). If any damage is detected, 
prior to further flight, replace the terminal lugs with new terminal 
lugs, part number (P/N) NSA936501TA1004.
    (2) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the mounting lugs on 
the 15XE contactor to detect damage (i.e., cracking or breaking). If 
any damage is detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the 
requirements of either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    (i) Replace contactor 15XE with a new contactor, P/N 
25811BOSHUNTKL, vendor code F0214 ECE. Or,
    (ii) Repair contactor 15XE in accordance with Airbus AOT 24-09, 
Section 4.2.2.3. Repeat the detailed visual inspection required by 
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD of the repaired contactor thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 1 week, and repeat the repair with new cable 
ties thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 months, until the 
replacement required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this AD is 
accomplished.

New Actions Required by This AD

Installation

    (b) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install a new mounting bracket for the 15XE contactor, modify the 
cable attachment adjacent to the contactor, and replace certain 
terminal lugs with lugs having a thicker contact area, in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2080 (for Model A310 series 
airplanes) or A300-24-6070 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes), 
both dated December 15, 1999, as applicable.

Replacement

    (c) Continue the detailed visual inspection of a repaired 15XE 
contactor which is required by paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this AD at 
intervals not to exceed 1 week, and continue the repair with new 
cable ties at intervals not to exceed 3 months, until the repaired 
15XE contactor is replaced by a new 15XE contactor.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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

    (e) 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

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operators Telex 24-09, Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-24-6070, dated December 15, 1999; and Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-24-2080, dated December 15, 1999.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-24-6070, dated December 15, 1999; and Airbus Service Bulletin 
A310-24-2080, dated December 15, 1999; is approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex 
24-09, Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998, was approved previously 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 27, 1999 (64 
FR 51190, September 22, 1999).
    (3) 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 2000-145-306(B), dated April 5, 2000.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 10, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 26, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16737 Filed 7-5-01; 8:45 am]
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