[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 44 (Friday, March 5, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10383-10385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4936]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-337-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 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 B2 and 
A300 B4 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of 
the 107VU electronics rack in the avionics compartment to ensure that 
fluid does not enter the rack. This action is necessary to prevent the 
loss of electrical power during flight, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-337-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-337-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

[[Page 10384]]

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 2002-NM-337-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-337-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 B2 and A300 
B4 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during final approach of an 
in-service airplane, the electrical power on a number of circuits was 
lost. An internal short circuit on contact 12HR, located on the 
backplate of the 107VU electronics rack, caused the internal parts of 
the contact to melt down, and damaged the wire harness that supplies 
power to the number 3 pitot probe heating system. This incident was 
caused by fluid dripping into the 107VU electronics rack, located below 
galley G3, due to a degraded cabin floor seal or a blocked drainpipe. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the loss of 
electrical power during flight, and reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-
0098, dated June 13, 2002, which describes procedures for modifying the 
107VU electronics rack. The modification includes adding deflectors 
above the cover and ventilation grids on the electronics rack; making a 
drip loop with the power supply bundles at the input of the rack; 
adding sealant in the cable thru-fittings; and adding protection on the 
pitot heating system wiring. 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 2002-579(B) R1, dated February 19, 2003, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 4 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately 
$390. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $78,000, or $650 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    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 proposed 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-337-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes, 
except those on which Airbus Modification 12447 has been 
accomplished; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fluid from entering the 107VU electronics rack, which 
could result in the loss of electrical power during flight, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the 107VU electronics rack in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-0098, dated June 13, 
2002.

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.


[[Page 10385]]


    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-579(B) R1, dated February 19, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 24, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4936 Filed 3-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P