[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 20, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75388-75390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24049]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22527; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-04-AD; 
Amendment 39-14420; AD 2005-25-27]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 Series Airplanes; 
A300 B4-103 and B4-203 Airplanes; and A310-203 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 Model A300 B2 series airplanes, A300 B4-103 and B4-203 
airplanes, and A310-203 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection for missing or incorrect rivets in the structural area 
affected by conversion from passenger to freight configuration, and 
corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report of rivets 
missing from the passenger-to-freight converted area. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent structural failure of the main deck and main deck 
cargo door areas.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 24, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of January 24, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact EADS Airbus GmbH, Postfach 95 01 09, 21111 Hamburg, 
Germany, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Hjelm, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7323; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model 
A300 B2 series airplanes, A300 B4-103 and B4-203 airplanes, and A310-
203 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
September 27, 2005 (70 FR 56378). That NPRM proposed to require a one-
time inspection for missing or incorrect rivets in the entire 
structural area affected by conversion from passenger-to-freight 
configuration, and corrective action if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of All Operator Telex (AOT) Reference

    We have clarified the reference to the Airbus AOT, which was cited 
in the NPRM as Airbus AOT M113-02-007, dated June 21, 2002. The 
reference to Airbus AOT M113-02-007 parallels the citation for this AOT 
that was given in German airworthiness directive 2002-200, dated June 
27, 2002, which also addresses the subject of this AD. However, the 
service bulletins that are referenced as the appropriate source of 
service information for accomplishing the required actions refer to 
this same AOT with the number BWED/101/02. Therefore, we have 
determined that referring to this AOT as ``Airbus A300 B4, A310-200 All 
Operator Telex BWED/101/02 (LBA Approval, Reference M113-02-007), dated 
June 21, 2002,'' will minimize confusion.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data 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 affects about 6 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions 
take about 80 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for 
U.S. operators is $31,200, or $5,200 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;

[[Page 75389]]

    (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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-25-27 Airbus: Amendment 39-14420. Docket No. FAA-2005-22527; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-04-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective January 24, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, 
and B2-203 airplanes; Model A300 B4-103 and B4-203 airplanes, and 
Model A310-203 airplanes; certificated in any category; as 
identified in EADS Airbus A300 Alert Service Bulletin DA-53-073, 
dated June 26, 2002; and EADS Airbus A310 Alert Service Bulletin DA-
53-074, dated June 27, 2002; as applicable.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of rivets missing from the 
structural area affected by conversion from passenger-to-freight 
configuration. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure 
of the main deck and main deck cargo door areas.

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

    (f) Within 300 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD: Do a general visual inspection for missing or incorrect rivets 
in the structural area affected by conversion from passenger-to-
freight configuration identified in Airbus A300 B4, A310-200 All 
Operator Telex Airbus BWED/101/02 (LBA Approval, Reference M113-02-
007), dated June 21, 2002. Do the inspections in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of EADS Alert Service Bulletin DA-53-
073, dated June 26, 2002; or EADS Airbus A310 Alert Service Bulletin 
DA-53-074, dated June 27, 2002; as applicable.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Corrective Action

    (g) If any inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD 
identifies a missing or incorrect rivet: Before further flight, 
repair according to a method approved by either the Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or the Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (LBA) (or its delegated agent).

No Reporting Required

    (h) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, New York ACO, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (j) German airworthiness directive 2002-200, dated June 27, 
2002, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the service information listed 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 
approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact EADS 
Airbus GmbH, Postfach 95 01 09, 21111 Hamburg, Germany, for a copy 
of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at 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 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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            Service document                           Date
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Airbus A300 B2, A310-200 All Operator    June 21, 2002.
 Telex BWED/101/02 (LBA Approval,
 Reference M113-02-007).
EADS Airbus A300 Alert Service Bulletin  June 26, 2002.
 DA-53-073.
EADS Airbus A310 Alert Service Bulletin  June 27, 2002.
 DA-53-074.
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[[Page 75390]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 8, 2005.
Michael Zielinski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-24049 Filed 12-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P