[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53733-53735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20708]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-348-AD; Amendment 39-12863; AD 2002-16-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes, 
that requires replacement of certain symbol generator units (SGUs) in 
the electronic flight instrument system with new, improved SGUs, and 
modification of associated equipment and wiring. This action is 
necessary to ensure that the flightcrew has adequate flight information 
by preventing temporary loss of data from the primary flight and 
navigation displays. Inadequate flight information could result in 
reduced situational awareness for the flightcrew, which could 
contribute to loss of control or impact with obstacles or terrain. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 23, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 23, 2002.

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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1503; 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 A300-600 and 
A310 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 
2002 (67 FR 15762). That action proposed to require replacement of 
certain symbol generator units (SGUs) in the electronic flight 
instrument system with new, improved SGUs, and modification of 
associated equipment and wiring.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request To Revise Cost Estimate

    The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, on behalf of its 
members, generally supports the intent of the proposed AD. However, one 
commenter has suggested revising the cost estimate specified in the 
proposed AD. These comments and FAA responses are as follows:
     The commenter states that, although the proposed AD 
specifies a labor rate of $60 per hour, the commenter's labor rate is 
$98 per hour.
    We point out that our estimate of $60 per work hour is the current 
burdened labor rate established for use by the Office of Aviation 
Policy, Plans, and Management Analysis. (The burdened labor rate 
includes the actual labor cost, overhead, administrative expenses, 
etc.) Because the labor rate used in our calculations accounts for the 
variations in costs among those in the airline industry, we consider 
that $60 per work hour is appropriate. No change to the final rule is 
necessary in this regard.
     The commenter considers that 7 instead of the 4 work hours 
cited in the proposed AD is needed to accomplish the actions specified 
in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-6132, dated May 17, 2001 (which is 
referenced in the proposed AD as an appropriate source of service 
information). The commenter also considers that the cost estimate in 
the proposed AD of $710 per airplane for labor and parts is 
significantly underestimated. The commenter also states that Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-34-6132 references Thompson-CSF Sextant (also 
referred to as Thales) Service Bulletin 961266-34-038, which specifies 
8 work hours for shop labor per each SGU, or $2,352 per airplane; and 
shop materials at $2,126 per each SGU, or $6,380 for three SGUs per 
airplane.
    We partially concur with these comments. First, we point out that 
our estimate of 4 work hours, as specified in the proposed AD, is based 
on the estimate specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-6132. 
However, we agree that it is necessary to include additional costs for 
the bench modification. Those costs are included in the Thompson-CSF 
Sextant service bulletin, which specifies 1 work hour per SGU to 
perform the bench modification, for a total of 3 work hours for each 
airplane. We do not agree with the commenter's estimate of 8 work hours 
per SGU for the bench modification because no substantiation was 
provided for such a figure. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking actions 
typically does not include incidental costs, such as the time required 
to gain access and close up; planning time; or time necessitated by 
other administrative actions. Because incidental costs may vary 
significantly from operator to operator, they are almost impossible to 
calculate.
    Second, we agree that the cost estimate of $710 per airplane should 
be increased, based on additional costs for the bench modification. 
Although we inadvertently failed to include the costs for the bench 
modification in the proposed AD, that action was part of the 
modification action required by the proposed AD. We note that the 
Thompson-CSF Sextant service bulletin is referenced in Airbus Service 
Bulletins A310-34-2157 (which is referenced in the proposed AD as an 
appropriate source of service information) and A300-34-6132 as an 
additional source of service information.
    Based on this information, we have revised the cost estimate in the 
final rule to specify 7 instead of 4 work hours and to include an 
additional $6,810 for shop materials. In addition, we have added a new 
Note 2 to the final rule to specify the Thompson-CSF Sextant service 
bulletin as an additional source of service information, and have 
renumbered the succeeding notes accordingly.

[[Page 53734]]

Request To Revise Paragraph (a) of Proposed AD

    One commenter states that the ``Replacement and Modification 
section,'' paragraph (a) of the proposed AD, is obsolete. The commenter 
adds that, although paragraph (a) of the proposed AD requires 
installing SGU part number (P/N) 9612660321, that P/N was recently 
removed from the Illustrated Parts Catalog and replaced by P/N 
9612660420.
    We do not agree that the replacement and modification action is 
obsolete for the airplanes cited in the applicability of the proposed 
AD. We point out that the airplanes operated by the commenter, United 
Parcel Service (UPS) Airlines, incorporate Airbus Industrie 
Modification 12100. As noted in the applicability of the NPRM, 
airplanes incorporating Airbus Industrie Modification 12100 are not 
included in the applicability. We also point out that (P/N) 9612660420 
is unique to the UPS Airlines airplanes that have incorporated Airbus 
Modification 12100, and that P/N 9612660420 is specified in their 
customized Illustrated Parts Catalog. In light of this, no change to 
the final rule is necessary in this regard.

Conclusion

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

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 142 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. We estimate that it will take approximately 7 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required SGU replacement and 
modification of associated equipment and wiring (including the bench 
modification), and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $7,280 per airplane (including 
the kit modification). Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,093,400, or $7,700 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2002-16-24  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12863. Docket 2001-NM-
348-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R 
(collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and Model A310 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; except those on 
which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-6132 or A310-34-2157, both 
dated May 17, 2001 (Airbus Industrie Modification 12100 or 12291), 
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 ensure that the flightcrew has adequate flight information by 
preventing temporary loss of data from the primary flight and 
navigation displays, accomplish the following:

Replacement and Modification

    (a) Within 3 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
all symbol generator units (SGUs), part number (P/N) 9612660319, in 
the electronic flight instrument system, with new, improved SGUs, P/
N 9612660321, and modify associated equipment and wiring, according 
to Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-6132 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes) or A310-34-2157 (for Model A310 series airplanes), both 
dated May 17, 2001, as applicable.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-6132 or A310-34-2157, 
both dated May 17, 2001, references Thompson-CSF Sextant Service 
Bulletin 961266-34-038 as an additional source of service 
information for accomplishment of the modification.

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, 
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

    (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.

[[Page 53735]]

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-34-6132, dated May 17, 2001; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-34-2157, dated May 17, 2001; 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 2001-467(B), dated October 3, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 23, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 9, 2002.
Vi Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 02-20708 Filed 8-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P