[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10919-10921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4921]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-04-AD; Amendment 39-13491; AD 2004-04-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 Series 
Airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R 
(Collectively Called A300-600); and A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes; 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively 
called A300-600); and A310 series airplanes. This AD requires, for 
certain airplanes, identifying the part number of the landing gear 
selector valves. For all airplanes, this AD requires 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

[[Page 10920]]

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: Effective April 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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: 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: 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 all Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 
B4 series airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600); and A310 series airplanes; was 
published in the Federal Register on December 22, 2003 (68 FR 71045). 
That action proposed to require, for certain airplanes, identifying the 
part number of the landing gear selector valves. For all airplanes, 
that action proposed to require repetitive maintenance tasks or 
operational tests of the landing gear selector valves, and replacing 
discrepant valves with certain new valves.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Change to Proposed AD

    We have slightly revised the description of Model A300-600 series 
airplanes in this final rule. The revised description more accurately 
reflects the listing on the type certificate data sheet and identifies 
the model/series as ``A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600)'' series airplanes.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described above.

Cost Impact

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Average                                     Number of
              Model                       Action         Work      hourly           Cost per airplane            U.S.               Fleet cost
                                                         hours   labor rate                                   airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 A300 B4..................  Part number               1          $65  $65                                      32  $2,080
                                    identification.
                                   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
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 requirements of this 
AD, 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:

2004-04-10 Airbus: Amendment 39-13491. Docket 2002-NM-04-AD.

    Applicability: All Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series 
airplanes; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R 
(collectively called A300-600); 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

[[Page 10921]]

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 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-0438, 
Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated November 20, 2001; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-32-6082, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, 
dated November 20, 2001; and Airbus Service Bulletin A310-32-2118, 
Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated November 20, 2001; as 
applicable. 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, 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 directive 2001-603(B), dated December 12, 2001.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 13, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 27, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4921 Filed 3-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P