[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 146 (Friday, July 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45578-45579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17221]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-344-AD; Amendment 39-13750; AD 2004-15-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 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 certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, that requires 
modification of certain wires in the right-hand wing. This action is 
necessary to ensure that fuel quantity indication wires are properly 
separated from wires carrying 115-volt alternating current (AC). 
Improper separation of such wires, in the event of wire damage, could 
lead to a short circuit and a possible ignition source, which could 
result in a fire in the airplane. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 3, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 3, 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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

[[Page 45579]]

98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2797; 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 certain Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2004 (69 FR 
27868). That action proposed to require modification of certain wires 
in the right-hand wing.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 9 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$1,880 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $113,390, or $2,465 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:

2004-15-16 Airbus: Amendment 39-13750. Docket 2002-NM-344-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes on which neither 
Airbus Modification 12427 nor 12435 has been accomplished, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure that fuel quantity indication wires are properly 
separated from wires carrying 115-volt alternating current (AC), 
accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Modify the routing of wires in the right-hand wing by installing 
cable sleeves, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, dated October 29, 2002.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (b) Modification of the routing of wires accomplished before the 
effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, 
dated January 23, 2002, is acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, 
Revision 01, dated October 29, 2002. 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-578(B), dated November 27, 2002.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 3, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 19, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-17221 Filed 7-29-04; 8:45 am]
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