[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 93 (Friday, May 12, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30536-30537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11548]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-362-AD; Amendment 39-11719; AD 2000-09-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes, that 
requires modification of certain electrical looms of the nose and main 
landing gear and modification of the rotor shaft attachment of the nose 
and main landing gear tachometers. This amendment is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent erratic operation of the wheel tachometers, which 
could result in degradation of the braking performance, and possible 
increased landing roll.

DATES: Effective June 16, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 24, 
2000 (65 FR 9223). That action proposed to require modification of 
certain electrical looms of the nose and main landing gear and 
modification of the rotor shaft attachment of the nose and main landing 
gear tachometers.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

[[Page 30537]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 79 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 7 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification of the electrical looms, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $687 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
modification of the electrical looms required by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $87,453, or $1,107 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 13 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification of the rotor shaft attachment, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$169 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
modification of the rotor shaft attachment required by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $74,971, or $949 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-09-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11719. Docket 99-NM-362-
AD.

    Applicability: Model A300-600 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, except those airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 
11661 and 11676 (Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6069) and 12095 
(Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6077) have been installed.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent erratic operation of the wheel tachometers, which 
could result in degradation of the braking performance, and possible 
increased landing roll, accomplish the following:

Modifications

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Modify the electrical looms of the nose and main landing 
gear, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6069, 
Revision 01, dated December 29, 1999; and
    (2) Modify the rotor shaft attachment of the nose and main 
landing gear tachometers, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-32-6077, Revision 01, dated September 25, 1999.

    Note 2: Messier-Dowty Service Bulletins 470-32-779, dated April 
14, 1997, and 470-32-777, dated July 1, 1997, are referenced in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6069. Messier-Bugatti Service 
Bulletin C20105-32-782, dated October 17, 1996, is referenced in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6077. The Messier-Dowty and Messier-
Bugatti service bulletins are additional sources of service 
information for accomplishing the applicable actions required by 
this AD.


    Note 3: Accomplishment of the modifications required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to the effective date of this AD, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6069, dated June 13, 
1997, or A300-32-6077, dated May 28, 1999, is considered acceptable 
for compliance with the applicable requirements specified by this 
AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The modifications shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-32-6069, Revision 01, dated December 29, 1999; 
and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-6077, Revision 01, dated 
September 25, 1999. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus 
Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-428-295(B), dated November 3, 1999.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 16, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 3, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11548 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P