[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41396-41398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15370]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-201-AD; Amendment 39-13706; AD 2004-13-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A310

[[Page 41397]]

series airplanes, that requires inspecting the pressure-off brakes 
(POBs) installed on the power control units of the slats and flaps to 
determine their serial numbers; and replacing any POBs having affected 
serial numbers with new, serviceable, or modified POBs. This action is 
necessary to prevent failure of the retaining ring on the POBs, which 
could result in slat or flap blowback or runaway, with consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 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 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.

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 A310 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2004 (69 FR 
17111). That action proposed to require inspecting the pressure-off 
brakes (POBs) installed on the power control units of the slats and 
flaps to determine their serial numbers; and replacing any POBs having 
affected serial numbers with new, serviceable, or modified POBs.

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.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 46 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 $2,990, 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:

2004-13-24 Airbus: Amendment 39-13706. Docket 2001-NM-201-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A310 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the retaining ring on the pressure-off 
brakes (POBs) of the power control units of the slats and flaps, 
which could result in slat or flap blowback or runaway, with 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Inspect the identification plates of the POBs installed on the power 
control units of the slats and flaps to determine the serial numbers 
of the POBs, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated September 
19, 2001.

    Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated 
September 19, 2001, refers to Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg Service 
Bulletin 511A0100-27-03, dated November 16, 2000, as the appropriate 
source for identifying affected serial numbers of POBs, and as an 
additional source of service information for replacing affected 
POBs.

Replacement

    (b) For any POB with an affected serial number, as identified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated September 
19, 2001: Before further flight, replace the POB with a new or 
serviceable POB that does not have an affected serial number, or 
with a POB that has been modified per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, 
dated September 19, 2001. Replace the POB per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, 
dated September 19, 2001.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (c) Inspections and replacements accomplished before the 
effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, 
dated March 21, 2001, are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions required by this AD.

[[Page 41398]]

Parts Installation

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a POB with a part number and serial number listed 
in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, Revision 01, dated 
September 19, 2001.

No Reporting or Return of Parts Is Required

    (e) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify 
to submit certain information and return POBs with affected serial 
numbers to the POB manufacturer, this AD does not include such a 
requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (g) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2096, 
Revision 01, dated September 19, 2001. 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 2001-185(B), dated May 16, 2001.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on August 13, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 24, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15370 Filed 7-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P