[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 44 (Friday, March 5, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10369-10370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4926]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-272-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Models A330-202, -203, -223, -
243, and -300 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 A330-202, -
203, -223, -243, and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
modification of the control box of the auxiliary power unit (APU). This 
action is necessary to prevent uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the 
APU, which could result in loss of critical electrical systems when the 
airplane is operated in emergency electrical configuration, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 5, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-272-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-272-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, 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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; 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.
     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-272-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-272-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 A330 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during flight tests done in the 
electrical emergency configuration, two auxiliary power unit (APU) 
shutdowns occurred on Honeywell GTCP Model APUs, and electrical power 
was lost. The reason for the shutdowns was the loss of in-flight signal 
information, which caused the APU fuel program to switch from ``in-
flight'' operations to ``on-ground'' operations, and increased the APU 
speed until the overspeed limit was reached. Uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown of the APU could result in loss of critical electrical systems 
when the airplane is operated in emergency electrical configuration, 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A330-49-3025, dated June 11, 
2003, which describes procedures for modification of the control box of 
the APU. The modification involves installation of a decoupling diode 
(62KD) in the control box (5000VE) of the APU, between pin X2 of the 
ground supply relay SKD and pin -F of connector 5112VC. The service 
bulletin also describes procedures for a continuity test to check the 
polarity of the diode after installation. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2003-350(B), 
dated September 17, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is 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,

[[Page 10370]]

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 service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 9 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by 
this proposed AD, that it would take about 1 work hour per airplane to 
do the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost about $140 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,845, or $205 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.

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-272-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330-202, -203, -223, -243, and -300 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; on which Airbus 
Modification 50245 has not been done (reference Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-49-3025, dated June 11, 2003, in service).
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the auxiliary power 
unit (APU), which could result in loss of critical electrical 
systems when the airplane is operated in emergency electrical 
configuration, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
APU control box 5000VE by doing all the actions per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-49-3025, 
dated June 11, 2003.

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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2003-350(B), dated September 17, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 25, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4926 Filed 3-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P