[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1338-1340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-161]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19527; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-71-AD; 
Amendment 39-13932; AD 2005-01-08]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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 AD requires 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 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 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 of flight-critical systems and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 11, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
February 11, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. You 
can examine this information 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.
    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. This 
docket number is FAA-2004-19527; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-71-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

Examining the Docket

    The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final 
disposition. 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 located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an 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). That action, 
published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2004 (69 FR 64260), 
proposed to 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.

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.

Costs of Compliance

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

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.

[[Page 1339]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-01-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-13932. Docket No. FAA-2004-19527; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-71-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 11, 2005.

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 of flight-critical systems 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the service information that is specified in 
Table 1 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves the incorporation by reference of those documents 
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of 
the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. For information on the 
availability of this material at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

              Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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                                 Revision
       Service bulletin           level                 Date
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Airbus Service Bulletin A300-          01  December 18, 2003.
 24-6081.
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-          01  December 18, 2003.
 24-2087.
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[[Page 1340]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-161 Filed 1-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P