[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38821-38823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14567]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-13696; AD 2004-13-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 Series Airplanes; 
Model A300 B4 Series Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4 605R 
Variant F, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) 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 series airplanes; Model A300 B4 
series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4 605R Variant F, 
and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; that 
requires inspection of the label of certain slat friction brakes for 
correct label wording, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD 
also provides for optional terminating actions for certain repetitive 
corrective actions. These actions are necessary to find and fix 
incorrect labels on the housings of the slat friction brakes, which may 
lead to the use of unapproved oil in the brakes. Use of unapproved oil 
could affect the efficiency of the brakes and lead to failure of the 
brakes to maintain proper slat orientation in the event of a rupture of 
the slat drive shaft, consequent uncommanded retraction of the slat, 
and reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 3, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 3, 2004.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://
www.archives.gov/federal--register/

[[Page 38822]]

code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.

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 all Airbus Model A300 B2 series 
airplanes; Model A300 B4 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-
600R, C4 605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) 
series airplanes; was published in the Federal Register on March 24, 
2004 (69 FR 13763). That action proposed to require inspection of the 
label of certain slat friction brakes for correct label wording, and 
corrective actions if necessary. That action also provided for optional 
terminating actions for certain repetitive corrective actions.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request To Add Preemptive Brake Replacement Option

    One commenter, an operator, requests an option be added to allow 
removal and replacement of friction brakes prior to further flight 
without performing the oil replacement/sampling requirements. The 
commenter states that it has already accomplished the specified 
inspections and replaced any suspect brakes on all its airplanes.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter. Paragraph (d)(2) of this AD 
already provides the option to terminate the repeat torque verification 
by replacing the brake. We recognize that if the replacement specified 
in paragraph (d)(2) is performed prior to further flight after the 
inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, it is not necessary to 
perform the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD. Therefore, 
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) have been rewritten to address this 
concern.

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 with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,800, or $65 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:

2004-13-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-13696. Docket 2003-NM-52-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 B2 series airplanes; Model A300 B4 
series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4 605R Variant F, 
and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the possible use of unqualified oil in the slat 
friction brakes, which could cause failure of the brakes to maintain 
proper slat orientation in the event of a rupture of the slat drive 
shaft, consequent uncommanded retraction of the slats, and reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

All Operators Telex (AOT) Reference

    (a) The term AOT as used in this AD means paragraph 4.3, 
``Description,'' of the following, as applicable:
    (1) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: Airbus AOT 
27A0199, Revision 01, dated February 5, 2003.
    (2) For Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes: Airbus AOT 
27A6055, Revision 01, dated February 5, 2003.

Inspection

    (b) Within 3 weeks from the effective date of this AD, perform a 
general visual inspection of the label on the housings of the slat 
friction brakes for correct wording, in accordance with the 
applicable AOT. Accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph 
(d)(2) of this AD prior to further flight after accomplishing 
paragraph (b) eliminates the requirement for paragraph (c) of this 
AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''


[[Page 38823]]



Corrective Actions

    (c) If the wording of the label is found to be incorrect during 
the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, prior to 
further flight, remove the label, then perform the actions specified 
in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD in accordance 
with the applicable AOT, or perform the actions specified in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Within 500 flight hours after removing the incorrect label, 
apply a correctly worded label to the housing.
    (2) Prior to further flight after removing the label, drain the 
friction brake and refill with Exxon 2120 oil.
    (3) Prior to further flight after removing the label, verify the 
torque of the friction brake.
    (i) If the torque is within the limits specified in the 
applicable AOT, repeat the torque verification thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, until the optional 
terminating actions specified in paragraph (d) of this AD have been 
accomplished.
    (ii) If the torque is not within the limits specified in the 
applicable AOT, prior to further flight, replace the friction brake 
with a new brake in accordance with the applicable AOT. 
Accomplishment of this replacement terminates the requirement for 
the repetitive torque verification for that brake.

Optional Terminating Actions

    (d) Accomplishment of either paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this 
AD terminates the repetitive torque verification required by 
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this AD.
    (1) Analyze the oil drained from the friction brake.
    (i) If the oil is Exxon 2120, no further action is required by 
this AD.
    (ii) If the oil is not Exxon 2120, prior to further flight, 
replace the friction brake as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
AD.
    (2) Replace the friction brake with a new brake in accordance 
with the applicable AOT.

Analysis of Brake Oil

    (e) Although the referenced AOTs describes procedures for 
submitting oil drained from the friction brakes to the brake 
manufacturer for analysis, this AD does not require that the 
manufacturer be the sole source of such analysis.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) 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

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operators Telex 27A0199, Revision 01, dated February 5, 2003; or 
Airbus All Operators Telex 27A6055, Revision 01, dated February 5, 
2003; 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 National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2003-048(B), dated February 5, 2003.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on August 3, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14567 Filed 6-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P