[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71045-71047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31442]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 Series 
Airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-
600) Series Airplanes; A300 C4-605R Variant F Airplanes; and A310 
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 A300 B2 and A300 
B4 series airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively 
called A300-600) series airplanes; A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; 
and A310 series airplanes. This proposal would require, for certain 
airplanes, identifying the part number of the landing gear selector 
valves. For all airplanes, this proposal would require repetitive 
maintenance tasks or operational tests of the landing gear selector 
valves, and replacing discrepant valves with certain new valves. This 
action is necessary to prevent failure of the landing gear selector 
valves, which could result in residual pressure on the retraction 
chamber side of the electro-hydraulic selector, and consequent 
uncommanded retraction of the landing gear when the airplane is on the 
ground. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 21, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-04-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. 2002-NM-04-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 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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: 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:

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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-04-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. 2002-NM-04-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

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 A300 B2 and A300 B4 series 
airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-
600) series airplanes; A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and A310 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that a review of in-service 
experience, data, and failure consequences of the landing gear selector 
valve on these airplanes has indicated that a landing gear selector 
valve that is operated beyond its certified operational life of 32,000 
total flight cycles could fail. Failed selector valves, if not 
corrected, could result in residual pressure on the retraction chamber 
side of the electro-hydraulic selector, and consequent uncommanded 
retraction of the landing gear when the airplane is on the ground.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A300-32-0438, Revision 01, 
dated November 20, 2001 (for Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series 
airplanes); A300-32-6082, Revision 01, dated November 20, 2001 (for 
Model A300-600 series airplanes and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes); and A310-32-2118, Revision 01, dated November 20, 2001 (for 
Model A310 series airplanes).
    Service Bulletin A300-32-0438 describes procedures for determining 
the part number of the landing gear

[[Page 71046]]

selector valve; replacing discrepant valves with new valves having a 
specified part number; and performing repetitive operational test 
maintenance tasks (for airplanes not modified per Airbus Modification 
3083), or performing repetitive operational tests of the selector 
valves and replacing failed valves with new valves (for modified 
airplanes).
    Service Bulletins A300-32-6082 and A310-32-2118 describe procedures 
for repetitive operational tests of the selector valve, and for 
replacing failed valves with new valves.
    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 directive 2001-603(B), dated December 12, 2001, to ensure 
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 21.29) 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 and in accordance with the applicable service 
bulletins described previously, except as discussed below.

Difference Between Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

    Although the service bulletins describe procedures for reporting 
inspection results, this proposed AD would not require those actions.

Cost Impact

    The following table provides the estimated costs to do the actions 
specified in this proposed AD.

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                                                                    Average
                                                           Work      hourly                                    Number of
              Model                       Action          hours    labor rate   Cost per airplane  (dollars)      U.S.         Fleet cost  (dollars)
                                                                   (dollars)                                   airplanes
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A300 B2.........................  Part number                  1           65  65...........................           32  2,080
                                   identification.
A300 B4                           MPD task.............        1           65  65, per task cycle...........           32  2,080, per task cycle
                                  Operational test.....        1           65  65, per test cycle...........           32  2,080, per test cycle
A300-600........................  Operational test.....        1           65  65, per test cycle...........           89  5,785, per test cycle
A300 C4-605R Variant F..........
A310............................  Operational test.....        1           65  65, per test cycle...........           47  3,055, per test cycle
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    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 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 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 2002-NM-04-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes; 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) 
series airplanes; A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and A310 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the landing gear selector valves, which 
could result in residual pressure on the retraction chamber side of 
the electro-hydraulic selector, and consequent uncommanded 
retraction of the landing gear when the airplane is on the ground, 
accomplish the following:

Part Number Identification

    (a) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: Before the 
accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles on the landing gear 
selector valves, or within 600 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later, do the actions required by 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Inspect to determine whether any selector valve having part 
number (P/N) A25199-0-2 is installed.
    (2) Replace any selector valve having P/N A25199-0-2 with a new 
selector valve having P/N A25199-0-3, in accordance with

[[Page 71047]]

Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-0438, Revision 01, dated November 
20, 2001.

Operational Test

    (b) For airplanes installed with selector valves having P/N 
A25199-0-3 only: Before the accumulation of 32,000 total flight 
cycles on the landing gear selector valves, or within 600 flight 
hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
perform an operational test of the selector valves. Do the test in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletins A300-32-0438 (for Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series 
airplanes), A300-32-6082 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes and 
Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes), and A310-32-2118 (for Model 
A310 series airplanes); all Revision 01, dated November 20, 2001; as 
applicable. Before further flight, replace any valve that fails the 
operational test with a new valve having P/N A25199-0-3, in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

Follow-on and Corrective Actions

    (c) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes that have not 
been modified in accordance with Airbus Modification 3083 (Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-32-0269): Within 3,000 flight hours after the 
accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles on the valve, or within 
3,000 flight hours after performing the operational test required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD, whichever occurs later, do task 323112-
0503-2 of the Airbus A300 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD). 
Repeat the MPD task thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 
flight hours.
    (d) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes that have 
been modified in accordance with Airbus Modification 3083 (Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-32-0269), and for Model A300-600 and A310 
series airplanes and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes: Repeat 
the operational test specified in paragraph (b) of this AD at the 
later of the times specified by paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this 
AD. Thereafter, repeat the test at intervals not to exceed 18 months 
or 2,800 flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (1) Within 18 months or 2,800 flight cycles, whichever occurs 
first, after the accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles on the 
valve.
    (2) Within 18 months or 2,800 flight cycles, whichever occurs 
first, after performing the initial operational test required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-603(B), dated December 12, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 12, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31442 Filed 12-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P