[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74163-74164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31191]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-119-AD; Amendment 39-13392; AD 2003-25-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600 Series 
Airplanes, Model A300 B4-600R Series Airplanes, Model A300 C4-605R 
Variant F Airplanes, and Model A300 F4-605R 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 B4-600 series airplanes, Model 
A300 B4-600R series airplanes, Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, 
and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes. This AD requires modification of 
certain components of the 115 Volts Alternating Current (VAC) supply 
wiring and of the fuel gauging system. This action is necessary to 
prevent short circuits between 115 VAC wiring and certain fuel system 
electrical wire runs with subsequent overheating of the cadensicon 
sensor thermistor or fuel level sensor, which could be great enough to 
ignite fuel vapors in the fuel tank and cause an explosion. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 27, 2004.

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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 B4-600 
series airplanes, Model A300 B4-600R series airplanes, Model A300 C4-
605R Variant F airplanes, and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2003 (68 FR 52862). 
That action proposed to require modification of certain components of 
the 115 Volts Alternating Current (VAC) supply wiring and of the fuel 
gauging system.

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. The commenter supports 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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 29 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$8,938 per airplane. Based on these

[[Page 74164]]

figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $757,610, or $10,823 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

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:

2003-25-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-13392. Docket 2002-NM-119-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes, Model A300 
B4-600R series airplanes, Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, 
and Model A300 F4-605R airplanes; as listed in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-28-6066, dated November 8, 2000; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-28-6070, Revision 01, dated March 22, 2002; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent short circuits between 115 Volts Alternating Current 
(VAC) wiring and certain fuel system electrical wire runs with 
subsequent overheating of the cadensicon sensor thermistor or fuel 
level sensor, which could be great enough to ignite fuel vapors in 
the fuel tank and cause an explosion, accomplish the following:
    Modification
    (a)Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, modify elements of the electrical wiring to separate the 
cadensicon wiring from the 115 VAC wiring, in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6066, dated November 8, 2000.
    (b)Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, modify elements of the electrical wiring to separate the 115 VAC 
supply wiring of the fuel gauging system, in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6070, Revision 01, dated March 22, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-28-6066, dated November 8, 2000; and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-28-6070, Revision 01, dated March 22, 2002. 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2002-172(B) and 2002-171(B), both dated 
April 3, 2002.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31191 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
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