[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52085-52087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21871]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-50-AD; Amendment 39-13289; AD 2003-17-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4; A300 B4-
600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600); 
A310; A319; A320; A321; A330; and A340 Series Airplanes; Equipped With 
PPG Aerospace Windshields

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 B2 and B4; A300 B4-600, A300 
B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (collectively called A300-600); A310; A319; 
A320; A321; A330; and A340 series airplanes; equipped with certain PPG 
Aerospace windshields. This AD requires replacement of certain 
windshields manufactured by PPG Aerospace with new windshields. This 
action is necessary to prevent failure of both structural plies of the 
windshield caused by overheating of the power lead wire, which could 
cause reduced structural integrity of the windshield assembly, and 
consequent loss of the windshield during flight. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective October 7, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 7, 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: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; 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 B2 and 
B4; A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (collectively called 
A300-600); A310; A319; A320; A321; A330; and A340 series airplanes; 
equipped with certain PPG Aerospace windshields; was published in the 
Federal Register on June 4, 2003 (68 FR 33416). That action proposed to 
require replacement of certain windshields manufactured by PPG 
Aerospace with new windshields.

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 concurs with the proposed 
AD.

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 as proposed.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 622 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD. Currently, there are no Model A340 series airplanes on the 
U.S. registry.
    The following table shows the estimated cost impact to do the 
required actions for airplanes affected by this AD. The following table 
also shows the estimated cost impact for Model A340 series airplanes 
affected by this AD, should an affected airplane be imported and placed 
on the U.S. Register in the future. The average labor rate is $65 per 
work hour, and there are 2 windshields per airplane. The estimated 
maximum cost for all airplanes affected by this proposed AD is 
$12,029,480 (assuming both windshields must be replaced on all affected 
airplanes); however, some warranty relief may be available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Number of U.S.  Work hours per  Parts cost per   Maximum Cost
                      Model                         registered      windshield      windshield     Per airplane
                                                     airplanes      (estimated)     (estimated)     (estimated)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4, A300-600, A310, A319, A320,                  622               8          $9,150         $19,340
 A321, A330.....................................
A340............................................               0               8           9,150          19,340
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[[Page 52086]]

    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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. As a result, the costs attributable to the AD may be less 
than stated above.

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-17-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-13289. Docket 2002-NM-50-AD.

    Applicability: Airplanes listed in Table 1 of this AD, 
certificated in any category, as follows:

                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Equipped with PPG aerospace windshields
                                               having--
            Model            -------------------------------------------
                                                     And serial numbers
                                Part number (P/N)    (S/N) as listed in
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and B4 series         NP-175201-1, NP-      Airbus All Operators
 airplanes.                    175201-2, or NP-      Telex A300-56A0011,
                               175201-4.             dated October 2,
                                                     2001.
A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R,    NP-175201-1, NP-      Airbus All Operators
 and A300 F4-600R              175201-2, or NP-      Telex A300-600-
 (collectively called A300-    175201-4.             56A6004, dated
 600) series airplanes.                              October 2, 2001.
A310 series airplanes.......  NP-175201-1, NP-      Airbus All Operators
                               175201-2, or NP-      Telex A310-56A2005,
                               175201-4.             dated October 2,
                                                     2001.
A319, A320, and A321 series   NP-165311-2, NP-      Airbus All Operators
 airplanes.                    165311-3, NP-165311-  Telex A320-56A1010,
                               4, NP-165311-5, or    Revision 01, dated
                               NP-165311-6.          October 1, 2001.
A330 series airplanes.......  NP-175201-1, NP-      Airbus All Operators
                               175201-2, or NP-      Telex A330-56A3005,
                               175201-4.             dated October 2,
                                                     2001.
A340 series airplanes.......  NP-175201-1, NP-      Airbus All Operators
                               175201-2, or NP-      Telex A340-56A4005,
                               175201-4.             dated October 2,
                                                     2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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 (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 failure of both structural plies of the windshield 
caused by overheating of the power lead wire, which could cause 
reduced structural integrity of the windshield assembly, and 
consequent loss of the windshield during flight, accomplish the 
following:

Windshield Replacement

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
windshields manufactured by PPG Aerospace having certain P/Ns and S/
Ns listed in the applicable Airbus all operators telex (AOT) listed 
in Table 1 of this AD with new windshields, per the applicable 
Airbus AOT listed in Table 1 of this AD.

    Note 2: The Airbus AOTs reference PPG Aerospace Service Bulletin 
NP-175201-56-001, dated September 26, 2001, as an additional source 
of service information for accomplishing the replacement required by 
this AD.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a windshield manufactured by PPG Aerospace having a 
certain P/N and S/N listed in the applicable AOT listed in Table 1 
of this AD.

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, 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.


[[Page 52087]]



Special Flight Permits

    (d) 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

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with the applicable 
Airbus all operators telex (AOT) listed in Table 2 of this AD, as 
shown below:

                 Table 2.--Airbus All Operators Telexes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Airbus all operators telex      Revision level             Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-56A0011................  Original............  October 2, 2001.
A300-600-56A6004............  Original............  October 2, 2001.
A310-56A2005................  Original............  October 2, 2001.
A320-56A1010................  01..................  October 1, 2001.
A330-56A3005................  Original............  October 2, 2001.
A340-56A4005................  Original............  October 2, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 2001-606(B), dated December 12, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 7, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2003.
Kyle L. Olsen,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21871 Filed 8-29-03; 8:45 am]
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