[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 213 (Thursday, November 4, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64260-64261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24633]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 213 / Thursday, November 4, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 64260]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19527; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-71-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, 
B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4 605R Variant F 
airplanes (collectively called A300-600). This proposed AD would 
require relocating contactor 9DG located at rack (relay box) 107VU and 
adding protective sleeves to the two wire (cable) looms near the door 
hinge of rack 107VU. This proposed AD is prompted by reports that 
interference was noticed during production between the wire looms 
located near the door hinge of rack 107VU and the terminals of 
contactor 9DG. We are proposing this AD to prevent possible short 
circuits in the wire looms supplying the fuel pump systems and the 
pitot probe heating system, which could lead to a possible loss of 
function of flight-critical systems and reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 6, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19527; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-71-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street 
address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes; and 
Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4 
605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-

[[Page 64261]]

600). The DGAC advises that it has received reports that interference 
was noticed during production between two wire (cable) looms located 
near the door hinge of rack (relay box) 107VU and the terminals of 
contactor 9DG located at rack 107VU. This condition could also be 
present on any airplane that has embodied in service any revision of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-30-2030 or Service Bulletin A300-30-6017. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in short circuits in the 
wire looms supplying the fuel pump systems and the pitot probe heating 
system, which could lead to a possible loss of function and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-24-2087 (for Model A310 
series airplanes); and Service Bulletin A300-24-6081 (for Model A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes; and Model C4 605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600)); both Revision 01, 
both dated December 18, 2003. The service bulletins describe procedures 
for relocating contactor 9DG and adding protective sleeves to the two 
wire looms located near the door hinge of rack 107VU. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the service information 
and issued French airworthiness directive F-2003-412, dated November 
12, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 167 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $290 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of 
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $80,995, or $485 per airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2004-19527; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
71-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by December 6, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, as 
listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2087, Revision 01, dated 
December 18, 2003; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R 
series airplanes, and Model C4 605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called A300-600), as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-24-6081, Revision 01, dated December 18, 2003; certificated in 
any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports that interference was 
noticed during production between two wire (cable) looms located 
near the door hinge of rack (relay box) 107VU and the terminals of 
contactor 9DG located at rack 107VU. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent possible short circuits in the wire looms supplying the fuel 
pump systems and the pitot probe heating system, which could lead to 
a possible loss of function and reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Relocation of Contactor and Addition of Protective Sleeves

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
relocate contactor 9DG located at rack 107VU and add protective 
sleeves to the two wire looms located at the door hinge of rack 
107VU, by doing all actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2087, Revision 01 
(for Model A310 series airplanes); or Service Bulletin A300-24-6081, 
Revision 01 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); both dated 
December 18, 2003; as applicable.

Actions Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletins

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2087; or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-24-6081; both dated June 7, 2002; are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2003-412, dated November 
12, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24633 Filed 11-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P