[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51789-51791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20134]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-396-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection to 
determine the manufacturer's name, part number, and date code of 
certain circuit breakers; and replacement of any suspect circuit 
breaker with a new improved circuit breaker. This action is necessary 
to ensure that proper circuit breakers are installed for the fire 
extinguishing system or part of the supplemental oxygen supply. A 
defective circuit breaker, if not corrected, could trip without the 
cockpit indication light illuminating. If the flightcrew is unaware of 
this situation while operating the airplane, this latent failure in 
combination with other failures could present an immediate hazard to 
the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 9, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-396-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. 2001-NM-396-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 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: Gary Lium, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1112; 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 2001-NM-396-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. 2001-NM-396-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

[[Page 51790]]

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 A330 and A340 series airplanes. 
The DGAC advises it has received reports of electrical discontinuity of 
the auxiliary contacts of certain Texas Instrument circuit breakers 
(located in the 722VU and 742VU panels), with date codes 96/01 through 
98/52 inclusive. The cause of these failures has been attributed to a 
manufacturing process error during the production of certain Texas 
Instruments circuit breakers. A defective circuit breaker for the fire 
extinguishing system or part of the supplemental oxygen supply, if not 
corrected, could trip without the cockpit indication light 
illuminating. If the flightcrew is unaware of this situation while 
operating the airplane, this latent failure in combination with other 
failures could present an immediate hazard to the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A330-92-3034, Revision 03 (for 
Model A330 series airplanes); and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, 
Revision 03 (for Model A340 series airplanes); both dated November 13, 
2001. The service bulletins describe procedures for a one-time 
inspection to determine the manufacturer's name, part number, and date 
code of circuit breakers 1WX, 2WX, and 5WR through 12WR inclusive, 
located in the 722VU and 742VU panels. The service bulletins also 
describe procedures for replacing any suspect circuit breaker with a 
new improved circuit breaker, either having the proper date code or 
from another manufacturer. 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 directives 2001-468(B) and 
2001-469(B), both dated October 3, 2001, 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 21.19) 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 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 bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 8 Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD 
on U.S. operators of Model A330 series airplanes is estimated to be 
$960, or $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
    Currently, there are no Model A340 series airplanes on the U.S. 
Register. However, should an affected airplane be imported and placed 
on the U.S. Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 
work hours to accomplish the proposed action, at an average labor rate 
of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
inspection proposed by this AD for Model A340 series airplanes would be 
$120 per airplane.

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: Docket 2001-NM-396-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A330 and A340 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 (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 ensure that proper circuit breakers are installed for the 
fire extinguishing system or

[[Page 51791]]

part of the supplemental oxygen supply, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
to determine the manufacturer's name, part number, and date code of 
circuit breakers 1WX, 2WX, and 5WR through 12WR inclusive, located 
in the 722VU and 742VU panels; per Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-
3034, Revision 03 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, Revision 03 (for Model A340 series 
airplanes); both dated November 13, 2001; as applicable.

Corrective Action

    (b) If any Texas Instruments circuit breaker having part number 
(P/N) E0730-005A7A5A, E0730-005A05AA, E0730-005A7A5B, or E0730-
005A05AB, with any date code 96/01 through 98/52 inclusive, is found 
during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before 
further flight, replace the circuit breaker with a new improved 
circuit breaker, either having the proper date code or from another 
manufacturer, per Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-3034, Revision 03 
(for Model A330 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-
92-4042, Revision 03 (for Model A340 series airplanes); both dated 
November 13, 2001; as applicable.

    Note 2: Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before 
the effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-
3034, dated February 9, 2001; Revision 01, dated April 11, 2001; or 
Revision 02, dated August 14, 2001 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes); and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, dated February 
9, 2001; Revision 01, dated April 11, 2001; or Revision 02, dated 
August 14, 2001 (for Model A340 series airplanes); are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable inspections and 
corrective actions required by this AD.

Spares

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any Texas Instruments circuit breaker having P/N E0730-005A7A5A, 
E0730-005A05AA, E0730-005A7A5B, or E0730-005A05AB with any date code 
96/01 through 98/52 inclusive, on any airplane.

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, 
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

    (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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2001-468(B) and 2001-469(B), both dated 
October 3, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 29, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20134 Filed 8-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P