03-140. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to determine the manufacturer's name, part number, and date code of certain circuit breakers; and replacement of any suspect circuit breaker with a new improved circuit breaker. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that proper circuit breakers are installed for the fire extinguishing system or part of the supplemental oxygen supply. A defective circuit breaker, if not corrected, could trip without the cockpit indication light illuminating. If the flightcrew is unaware of this situation while operating the airplane, this latent failure in combination with other failures could present an immediate hazard to the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective February 10, 2003.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 10, 2003.

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:

Gary Lium, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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 all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2002 (67 FR 51789). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to determine the manufacturer's name, part number, and date code of certain circuit breakers; and replacement of any suspect circuit breaker with a new improved circuit breaker.

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.

Changes to the Final Rule

Since the language in Note 2 of the proposed AD is regulatory in nature, that note has been redesignated as paragraph (c) of this final rule.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 8 Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $960, or $120 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Currently, there are no Model A340 series airplanes on the U.S. Register. However, should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it will require approximately 2 work hours to accomplish the required action, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD will be $120 per airplane.

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2002-26-12 Airbus: Amendment 39-13000. Docket 2001-NM-396-AD.

Applicability: All Model A330 and A340 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 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 (e) 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 ensure that proper circuit breakers are installed for the fire extinguishing system or part of the supplemental oxygen supply, accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect to determine the manufacturer's name, part number, and date code of circuit breakers 1WX, 2WX, and 5WR through 12WR inclusive, located in the 722VU and 742VU panels; per Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-3034, Revision 03 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, Revision 03 (for Model A340 series airplanes); both dated November 13, 2001; as applicable.

Corrective Action

(b) If any Texas Instruments circuit breaker having part number (P/N) E0730-005A7A5A, E0730-005A05AA, E0730-005A7A5B, or E0730-005A05AB, with any date code 96/01 through 98/52 inclusive, is found during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, replace the circuit breaker with a new improved circuit breaker, either having the proper date code or from another manufacturer, per Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-3034, Revision 03 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, Revision 03 (for Model A340 series airplanes); both dated November 13, 2001; as applicable.

(c) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-3034, dated February 9, 2001; Revision 01, dated April 11, 2001; or Revision 02, dated August 14, 2001 (for Model A330 series airplanes); and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, dated February 9, 2001; Revision 01, dated April 11, 2001; or Revision 02, dated August 14, 2001 (for Model A340 series airplanes); are considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable inspections and corrective actions required by this AD.

Part Installation

(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install any Texas Instruments circuit breaker having P/N E0730-005A7A5A, E0730-005A05AA, E0730-005A7A5B, or E0730-005A05AB with any date code 96/01 through 98/52 inclusive, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(e) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.

Special Flight Permits

(f) 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

(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-3034, Revision 03, dated November 13, 2001; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4042, Revision 03, dated November 13, 2001 excluding Appendix 01, Reporting Sheet, and quality perception form, as applicable. 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 3:

The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 2001-468(B) and 2001-469(B), both dated October 3, 2001.

Effective Date

(h) This amendment becomes effective on February 10, 2003.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 2002.

Vi L. Lipski,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.