[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46437-46439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15802]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 10, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 46437]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22053; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-74-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; 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); and Airbus Model A310 
Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus airplanes, listed above. This proposed AD would 
require installing two-stage relays in the electronics rack (90VU), and 
performing related corrective and investigative actions. This proposed 
AD is prompted by reports of in advertent rudder trim activation when 
the autopilot is on. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent 
trim activation when the autopilot is on and the slats are extended, 
which could result in rudder activation when the autopilot is turned 
off.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 9, 
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.
     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. This docket 
number is FAA-2005-22053; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-74-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2005-22053; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-74-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.

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 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 DMS 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 B4-600, B4-
600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and Airbus 
Model A310 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that there have been 
reports of inadvertent activation of the rudder trim when the autopilot 
was engaged. Inadvertent trim activation when the autopilot is on and 
the slats are extended could result in rudder activation when the 
autopilot is turned off.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6031, Revision 
03, dated February 9, 2001, for Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-605R, B4-
622R, A300 C4-605R Variant F, and F4-605R airplanes; and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-27-2077, Revision 03, dated February 9, 2001, for Airbus 
Model A310 series airplanes.
    The service bulletins describe procedures for installing two-stage 
relays that are controlled by the flight control computers (FCC1 and 
FCC2). The service bulletins recommend this installation to further 
improve the protection against rudder trim activation caused by 
inadvertent selection. The two-stage relays inhibit the rudder trim 
control when the autopilot is engaged and the slats are extended, and 
are installed in the electronics rack 90VU between switch 4CG and 
relays 12CG

[[Page 46438]]

and 13CG. The installation includes applicable related corrective 
actions. The related corrective actions include installing new 
equipment (such as clamps, brackets, relay plate, and relays) in the 
electronics rack, and modifying certain wiring in the electronics rack.
    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 98-
175-249(B), dated April 22, 1998, 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 115 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about between 3 and 14 work hours per 
airplane, depending on the airplane's configuration, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost between $520 
and $1,330 per airplane, depending on the airplane's configuration. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. 
operators is between $82,225 and $257,600,or between $715 and $2,240 
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 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-2005-22053; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
74-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by September 9, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in Table 
1 of this AD, certificated in any category.

             Table 1.--Airbus Airplanes Affected by This AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            As Identified in Paragraph
                                           1.A.(2)(a), ``Effectivity by
           Affected Models--                 MSN,'' of Airbus Service
                                                    Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R  A300-27-6031, Revision 03,
 series airplanes, and Model C4-605R      dated February 9, 2001.
 Variant F airplanes (collectively
 called A300-600 series airplanes).
Model A310 series airplanes............  A310-27-2077, Revision 03,
                                          dated February 9, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent rudder trim 
activation when the autopilot is on. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent inadvertent trim activation when the autopilot is on and the 
slats are extended, which could result in rudder activation when the 
autopilot is turned off.

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.

Installation

    (f) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Install two-stage relays in the electronics rack 90VU between switch 
4CG and relays 12CG and 13CG; and do any applicable related 
corrective and investigative actions before further flight. Do all 
the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6031, Revision 03, dated February 9, 
2001 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-27-2077, Revision 03, dated February 9, 2001 (for 
Model A310 series airplanes).

Modification According to Previous Issues of Service Bulletins

    (g) Installations are also acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD if done before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with one of the service 
bulletins in Table 2 of this AD.

[[Page 46439]]



             Table 2.--Previous Issues of Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Airbus Service Bulletin       Revision              Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-27-6031....................         01  September 3, 1997.
A300-27-6031....................         02  December 4, 1998.
A310-27-2077....................         01  September 3, 1997.
A310-27-2077....................         02  December 4, 1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, 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 98-175-249(B), dated April 
22, 1998, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 3, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-15802 Filed 8-9-05; 8:45 am]
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