[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5787-5789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2480]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-19-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, 
and A300 F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600), A310, A319, A320, 
A321, A330, and A340 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 certain Airbus Model A300-600, 
A310, A319, A320, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes. This proposal 
would require a one-time inspection to determine if certain Thales 
pitot probes are installed, a check for certain part numbers and serial 
numbers of the affected pitot probes, and cleaning of the drain hole of 
any affected pitot probes if obstructed. This action is necessary to 
prevent obstruction of the air intake of the pitot probes, which could 
result in misleading information being provided to the flightcrew. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 8, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-19-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. 2003-NM-19-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: 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:

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:
     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.
     For each issue, state what specific change to 
the proposed AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) 
for each request.

[[Page 5788]]

    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 2003-NM-19-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. 2003-NM-19-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, A300 
B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (collectively called A300-600), A310, A319, 
A320, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that an 
operator reported airspeed discrepancy events due to obstruction of the 
pitot probes on a Model A320 series airplane. Investigation by the 
parts manufacturer revealed that the obstruction of the air intake of 
the pitot probes was due to a manufacturing defect at the drain hole. 
Such obstruction could result in misleading information being provided 
to the flightcrew.
    The pitot probes installed on the affected Model A320 series 
airplane are also installed on the affected Airbus Model A300-600, 
A310, A319, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes. Therefore, the pitot 
probes on all of these airplane models may be subject to the same 
unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the following service bulletins, all including 
Appendix 01:

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           Service bulletin                 Revision level                Date                    Model
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-34-6149.........................  Original...............  April 4, 2003..........  A300-600
A310-34-2181.........................  Original...............  April 4, 2003..........  A310
A320-34-1263.........................  01.....................  June 25, 2003..........  A319, A320, A321
A330-34-3119.........................  Original...............  February 27, 2003......  A330
A340-34-4130.........................  Original...............  February 27, 2003......  A340
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    The service bulletins describe the following procedures:
    A300-34-6149 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes) describes 
procedures for a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if 
pitot probes 40DA, 41DA, and 42DA are installed, and a check of those 
pitot probes for part number (P/N) C16254AA and serial number (S/N) 660 
or higher, and cleaning of the drain hole of any affected pitot probe.
    A310-34-2181 (for Model A310 series airplanes) describes procedures 
for a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if pitot probes 
40DA, 41DA, and 42DA are installed, and a check of those pitot probes 
for P/N C16254AA and S/N 660 or higher, and cleaning of the drain hole 
of any affected pitot probe.
    A320-34-1263 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes) 
describes procedures for a one-time detailed visual inspection to 
determine if pitot probes 9DA1, 9DA2, and 9DA3 are installed, and a 
check of those pitot probes for P/N C16195AA and S/N lower than 4760, 
and cleaning of the drain hole of any affected pitot probe.
    A330-34-3119 (for Model A330 series airplanes) describes procedures 
for a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if pitot probes 
4DA1, 4DA2, and 3DA are installed, and a check of those pitot probes 
for P/N C16195AA and S/N lower than 4760, and cleaning of the drain 
hole of any affected pitot probe.
    A340-34-4130 (for Model A340 series airplanes) describes procedures 
for a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if pitot probes 
9DA1, 9DA2, and 9DA3 are installed, and a check of those pitot probes 
for P/N C16195AA and S/N lower than 4760, and cleaning of the drain 
hole of any affected pitot probe.
    Thales Avionics Service Bulletin, C16195A-34-002, Revision 01 dated 
February 7, 2003, is referenced in the Airbus service bulletins as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
cleaning of the drain holes of the pitot probes.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Airbus service 
information is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified this service information as mandatory 
and issued French airworthiness directives 2003-148(B), dated April 16, 
2003; 2002-586(B) R1, dated April 2, 2002; and 2002-594(B), dated 
November 27, 2002; 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 us informed of the 
situation described above. We have 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 the Airbus service information described 
previously, except as discussed below.

Difference Between Airbus Service Bulletins and Proposed AD

    The service bulletins recommend completing and submitting an 
inspection report, included as Appendix 01 of the service bulletins; 
however, this proposed AD would not require those actions; we do not 
need this information from operators.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 758 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this

[[Page 5789]]

proposed AD, that it would take about 2 work hours per airplane to do 
the proposed inspection, and that the average labor rate is $65 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $98,540, or 
$130 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.
    Currently, there are no Airbus 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 would take about 2 work 
hours per airplane to do the proposed inspection, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$130 per airplane.

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 2003-NM-19-AD.

    Applicability: Airbus Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 
F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600), A310, A319, A320, A321, 
A330, and A340 series airplanes; certificated in any category; as 
listed in the Airbus service bulletins specified in Table 1 of this 
AD.

                                                    Table 1.
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                Model                      Service bulletin             Revision                   Date
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A300-600.............................  A300-34-6149...........  Original...............  April 4, 2003.
A310.................................  A310-34-2181...........  Original...............  April 4, 2003.
A319, A320, A321.....................  A320-34-1263...........  01.....................  June 25, 2003.
A330.................................  A330-34-3119...........  Original...............  February 27, 2003.
A340.................................  A340-34-4130...........  Original...............  February 27, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent obstruction of the air intake of the pitot probes, 
which could result in misleading information being provided to the 
flightcrew, accomplish the following:

One-Time Detailed Inspection

    (a) Within 700 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Do a detailed inspection to determine if certain Thales Avionics 
pitot probes are installed, and a check of affected pitot probes for 
certain part numbers (P/N) and serial numbers (S/N), as specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Airbus service 
bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD, all excluding Appendix 01. Do 
the inspection and check (including cleaning and marking the drain 
hole) by doing all the actions per Part 3.A. through Part 3.E. of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Airbus service 
bulletin. If the specified P/N and S/N are found, before further 
flight, clean and mark the drain hole if obstructed, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Airbus service 
bulletin. If the specified P/N and S/N are not found, no further 
action is required by this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''


    Note 2: The referenced Airbus service bulletins refer to Thales 
Avionics Service Bulletin, C16195A-34-002, Revision 01, dated 
February 7, 2003, as an additional source of service information for 
the cleaning of the drain holes of the pitot probes.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2003-148(B), dated April 16, 2003; 2002-
586(B) R1, dated April 2, 2002; and 2002-594(B), dated November 27, 
2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2480 Filed 2-5-04; 8:45 am]
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