[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45592-45595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15593]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22035; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-016-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require an inspection to determine the part number of all angle 
of attack (AOA) sensors, and repetitive replacement of the AOA sensors 
with new or overhauled AOA sensors if necessary. This proposed AD would 
also provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive 
replacements. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of several false 
stall warnings associated with stick-shaker activation, occurring 
during take-off. We are proposing this AD to prevent false stall 
warnings associated with stick-shaker activation, which could result in 
increased pilot workload as the pilot tries to determine the cause of 
the stall warning and possible reduction in the pilot's ability to 
control the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 7, 
2005.

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.

[[Page 45593]]

     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.
     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.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this proposed 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:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Include the docket number ``FAA-
2005-22035; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-016-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 received 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 
that Web site, 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may 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. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received reports of 
several false stall warnings associated with stick-shaker activation, 
occurring during take-off. Investigation revealed that defective angle 
of attack (AOA) sensors caused the false stall warnings. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in increased pilot workload 
as the pilot tries to determine the cause of the stall warning and 
possible reduction in the pilot's ability to control the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01, dated 
February 3, 2004, which describes the following procedures:
     Inspecting zone 120 to determine the part number (P/N) of 
all three AOA sensors.
     Repetitively replacing any Honeywell AOA sensor having P/N 
965-4020-007 with a new or overhauled AOA sensor.
    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-
2003-457 R1, dated December 22, 2004, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A300-34-0092, Revision 03, 
dated November 2, 2004. Service Bulletin A300-34-0092 describes the 
following procedures:
     Replacing Honeywell ``pencil'' AOA sensors having P/N 965-
4020-007 with ``vane'' AOA sensors between frame (FR)18 and FR19.
     Replacing the current detectors in relay boxes 252VU and 
107VU with new current detectors.
    Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0092 also specifies that 
accomplishing the modification in that service bulletin cancels the 
actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176.

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, except as discussed under ``Difference Between 
the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01, 
dated February 3,2004, describe procedures for reporting inspection 
findings, this proposed AD would not require that action. We do not 
need this information from operators.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Number of
                                 Work      Average                       Cost per      U.S.-
           Action               hours     labor rate       Parts         airplane    registered     Fleet cost
                                           per hour                                  airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..................          1          $65  None...........          $65           20  $1,300.

[[Page 45594]]

 
Replacement if necessary,             2           65  $3,300 ($1,100         3,430           20  $68,600 per
 per replacement cycle.                                per sensor).                               replacement
                                                                                                  cycle.
Optional terminating action.          7           65  $8,780.........        9,235           20  $184,700.
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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 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-2005-22035; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
016-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by September 7, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2-
1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, and B2-203 airplanes; and Model A300 B4-2C, B4-
103, and B4-203 airplanes; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of several false stall 
warnings associated with stick-shaker activation, occurring during 
take-off. We are issuing this AD to prevent false stall warnings 
associated with stick-shaker activation, which could result in 
increased pilot workload as the pilot tries to determine the cause 
of the stall warning and possible reduction in the pilot's ability 
to control 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.

Inspection and Repetitive Replacement, if Necessary

    (f) Within 4,500 flight hours or 36 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is first: Inspect zone 120 to determine 
the part number of all three angle of attack (AOA) sensors, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2004. If no 
Honeywell AOA sensor having part number (P/N) 965-4020-007 is found, 
then no further action is required by this paragraph. If any 
Honeywell AOA sensor having P/N 965-4020-007 is found, before 
further flight, replace the AOA sensor with a new or overhauled AOA 
sensor having P/N 965-4020-007, in accordance with the service 
bulletin. Repeat the replacement thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 8,000 flight hours or 96 months, whichever is first. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD 
terminates the repetitive replacements.

Optional Terminating Action

    (g) Replacement of all Honeywell AOA sensors having P/N 965-
4020-007 between frame (FR)18 and FR19 with ``vane type'' AOA 
sensors; and replacement of the current detectors in relay boxes 
252VU and 107VU with new current detectors; in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0092, 
Revision 03, dated November 2, 2004; terminate the repetitive 
replacements required by paragraph (f) of this AD.

No Reporting Requirement

    (h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01, 
dated February 3, 2004, specifies to submit certain information to 
the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an AOA sensor having P/N 965-4020-007 on any airplane, unless it is 
new or overhauled and is repetitively inspected as required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD.

Credit for Previously Accomplished Actions

    (j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, dated July 9, 
2003, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Credit for Optional Terminating Action

    (k) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-092, Revision 2, 
dated July 18, 1985, are acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (l) 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.

[[Page 45595]]

Related Information

    (m) French airworthiness directive F-2003-457 R1, dated December 
22, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 2, 2005.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-15593 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P