[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60049-60051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29341]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-205-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time visual 
inspection to determine the accuracy of the outer placards of the 
static ports. This proposal also would require a one-time inspection to 
detect crossed connections of the air data static system and the static 
probe heating system, and correction of any discrepancies. This 
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent erroneous display 
of altitude information to the flight crew, and consequent reduced 
operational safety during all phases of flight.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-205-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of

[[Page 60050]]

the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both 
before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for 
examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public 
contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in 
the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-205-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-NM-205-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during a routine inspection, one 
operator found that the tubings of the air data static system connected 
to the captain and first officer's static probes were inverted (i.e., 
cross-connected) on both the left-hand and right-hand side of the 
aircraft. The heating circuit wires of the static probe heating system 
to the captain and first officer's static probes on the left-hand side 
of the airplane were also found to be inverted. The cross connections 
of the air data tubings and probe heat wiring apparently resulted from 
an inappropriate installation process on the assembly line. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in erroneous display of 
altitude information to the flight crew, and consequent reduced 
operational safety during all phases of flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-04, dated July 16, 
1996, which describes procedures to perform a one-time visual 
inspection to determine the accuracy of the outer placards. The AOT 
also describes procedures to perform a one-time visual inspection to 
detect crossed connections of the air data static system and the static 
probe heating system, and correction of any discrepancies. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the AOT are intended to 
adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified 
this AOT as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 97-098-
216 (B), dated March 26, 1997, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    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. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the AOT described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 94 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$28,200, or $300 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 97-NM-205-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

    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 (d) 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 erroneous display of altitude information to the 
flight crew, and consequent reduced operational safety during all 
phases of flight, accomplish the following:

[[Page 60051]]

    (a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time visual inspection of the outer placards of the 
static ports to determine that the identification of the static port 
corresponds with the specified position on the aircraft, in 
accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-04, dated July 
16, 1996.
    (b) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time visual inspection of the pneumatic connections of 
the captain, first officer, and standby air data static systems to 
detect cross-connected tubing, and conduct an operational check of 
each of the static probe heating systems to detect cross-connected 
wiring, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-04, 
dated July 16, 1996.
    (c) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
correct the discrepancy in accordance with Airbus AOT 34-04, dated 
July 16, 1996.
    (d) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-098-216 (B), dated March 26, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 30, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29341 Filed 11-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U