[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 6, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38753-38755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13143]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20474; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-221-AD; 
Amendment 39-14178; AD 2005-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2-203 and B4-203 
Airplanes; Model A310-200 and -300 Series Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-
600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R 
Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus transport category airplanes. This AD requires an 
inspection to determine if suspect part numbers (P/Ns) and serial 
numbers of certain Thales Avionics equipment are installed, and 
replacement of any suspect part with a modified part having a new P/N. 
This AD is prompted by reports of loss of the digital distance radio 
magnetic indicator and subsequent loss of both very high frequency 
omnidirectional range indicators, both distance measuring equipment, 
and one centralized maintenance computer. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent loss of navigation indications on the primary flight display 
requiring continuation of the flight on emergency instruments, which 
could lead to reduced ability to control the airplane in adverse 
conditions.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 10, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 
10, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20474; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-221-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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Airbus Model A300 B2-203 and B4-203 airplanes; 
Model A310-200 and -300 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 series airplanes). That action, 
published in the Federal Register on March 3, 2005 (70 FR 10339), 
proposed to require an inspection to determine if suspect part numbers 
(P/Ns) and serial numbers of certain Thales Avionics equipment are 
installed, and replacement of any suspect part with a modified part 
having a new P/N.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been 
submitted on the proposed AD.

Request To Expand Applicability

    One commenter, the airplane manufacturer, notes that French 
airworthiness directive F-2004-037, issued March 17, 2004, which also 
addresses the subject of the proposed AD, applies to Airbus Model A300 
B4-220 airplanes, as well as the other airplane models identified in 
the proposed AD. The commenter points out that the proposed AD does not 
mention Airbus Model A300 B4-220 airplanes.
    We agree with the commenter's statements, but find that we do not 
need to change the AD in this regard. Airbus Model A300 B4-220 
airplanes are not listed on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; thus, 
we do not need to issue an AD against those airplanes.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of this AD to identify model 
designations as published in the most recent type certificate data 
sheet for the affected models.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that was submitted, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD with the change described 
previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 158 Model A310-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, and Mode A300-600 series airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
required inspection will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of this AD for these U.S. operators is $10,270, or $65 
per airplane.
    Currently, there are no affected Model A300 B2-203 and B4-203 
airplanes on the U.S. Register. However, if an affected airplane is 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the required 
actions will take about 1 work hour, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Based on these figures, we

[[Page 38754]]

estimate the cost of this AD for Model A300 B2-203 and B4-203 series 
airplanes to be $65 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.
    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):

2005-14-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-14178. Docket No. FAA-2005-20474; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-221-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 10, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category, equipped 
with at least one of the Thales Avionics equipment part numbers 
listed in Table 1 of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series 
airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively 
called A300-600 series airplanes);
    (2) Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, 
and -325 airplanes; and
    (3) Airbus Model A300 B2-203 and B4-203 airplanes with a forward 
facing crew cockpit configuration.

              Table 1.--Affected Thales Avionics Equipment
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               Equipment                          Part No. (P\N)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Altimeter indicator....................  65205-211-2, -3, or -4; 65205-
                                          230-1, -2, or -3; or 65205-235-
                                          1.
Radio magnetic indicator (RMI)/          63540-040-1 or 63540-031-2.
 automatic direction finder (ADF)
 indicator.
RMI/very high frequency omnidirectional  63540-170-2 or 63540-156-3.
 range (VOR) indicators/distance
 measuring equipment (DME).
Vertical speed indicator (VSI).........  65285-220-2 or 65285-230-1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of loss of the digital 
distance radio magnetic indicator and subsequent loss of both VORs, 
both DMEs, and one centralized maintenance computer. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent loss of navigation indications on the primary 
flight display requiring continuation of the flight on emergency 
instruments, which could lead to reduced ability to control the 
airplane in adverse conditions.

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.

Service Bulletins

    (f) The term ``Airbus service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, 
means the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service 
bulletin in Table 2 of this AD.

                   Table 2.--Airbus Service Bulletins
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              For model--                   Airbus service bulletin--
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(1) A300-600 series airplanes..........  A300-34A6145, Revision 01,
                                          dated October 17, 2003.
(2) A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -  A310-34A2178, Revision 01,
 322, -324, and -325 airplanes.           dated October 17, 2003.
(3) A300 B2-203 and B4-203 airplanes...  A300-34A0173, Revision 01,
                                          dated December 18, 2003.
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    (g) Each Airbus service bulletin in Table 2 of this AD refers to 
the Thales Avionics service bulletins in Table 3 of this AD as 
additional sources of service information for accomplishing the 
inspection and replacement if necessary.

[[Page 38755]]



               Table 3.--Thales Avionics Service Bulletins
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    Thales Avionics service
          bulletin--             Revision--            Dated--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 354-34-051................           03  October 13, 2003.
(2) 354-34-053................           02  October 10, 2003.
(3) 520-34-014................           04  April 22, 2004.
(4) 520-34-015................           04  July 1, 2004.
(5) 520-34-016................           03  November 20, 2003.
(6) 520-34-017................           03  July 1, 2004.
(7) 528-34-006................           03  June 29, 2004.
(8) 528-34-007................           02  October 10, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspection and Replacement

    (h) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do an 
inspection to determine if the suspect P/Ns and serial number (S/N) 
of the Thales Avionics equipment is installed, in accordance with 
the Airbus service bulletin. If any suspect P/N and S/N is found, 
within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
suspect part with a modified part having a new P/N, in accordance 
with the Airbus service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
any Thales Avionics equipment specified in Table 1 of this AD on any 
airplane.

Reporting Requirement

    (j) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, submit 
a report of all P/Ns and S/N of overhauled equipment found during 
the inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD to Airbus, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; fax 011-
33-561934251. Information collection requirements contained in this 
AD have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k) 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

    (l) French airworthiness directive F-2004-037, issued March 17, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use the service information listed in Table 4 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 these documents in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service 
information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review 
copies of the service information, go to the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

              Table 4.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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                                  Revision
    Airbus service bulletin        level                 Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-34A0173..................           01  December 18, 2003.
A300-34A6145..................           01  October 17, 2003.
A310-34A2178..................           01  October 17, 2003.
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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13143 Filed 7-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U