[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 486-488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-140]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-396-AD; Amendment 39-13000; AD 2002-26-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires 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

[[Page 487]]

breaker. The actions specified by this AD are intended 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: Effective February 10, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 10, 2003.

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: 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: 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 all Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 
2002 (67 FR 51789). That action proposed to 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.

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.

Changes to the Final Rule

    Since the language in Note 2 of the proposed AD is regulatory in 
nature, that note has been redesignated as paragraph (c) of this final 
rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change described previously. 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

    The FAA estimates that 8 Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $960, or $120 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.
    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 will require approximately 2 
work hours to accomplish the required action, at an average labor rate 
of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
inspection required by this AD will be $120 per airplane.

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:

2002-26-12 Airbus: Amendment 39-13000. 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 (e) 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 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

[[Page 488]]

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.
    (c) 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.

Part Installation

    (d) 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

    (e) 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 2: 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

    (f) 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

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-92-3034, Revision 03, dated November 13, 2001; or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, Revision 03, dated November 
13, 2001 excluding Appendix 01, Reporting Sheet, and quality 
perception form, 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2001-468(B) and 2001-469(B), both dated 
October 3, 2001.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on February 10, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-140 Filed 1-3-03; 8:45 am]
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