[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38154-38155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18102]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-110-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 certain Airbus Model A310 and
A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require a detailed
visual inspection to detect damage to the terminal lugs on the 12XC and
15XE connectors and the mounting lugs on the 15XE connector; and repair
or replacement of the terminal lugs or the 15XE connector with new
parts, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by the issuance of a
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to detect and correct broken terminal and mounting lugs on the
15XE and 12XC connectors in the 101VU panel in the avionics
compartment, which could result in loss of electrical power from the
standby generator.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 16, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-110-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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: 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:
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 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 99-NM-110-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-110-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 certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that operators have reported cases of
broken terminal lugs on the three-phase wiring to the 12XC and 15XE
connectors located on the essential part of the 101VU panel in the
avionics compartment on airplanes equipped with a standby generator.
The DGAC also advises that the mounting lugs on the 15XE connector were
also found broken. Preliminary indications are that the mounting
configuration of connector 15XE is transmitting vibration to the
terminal lugs of both connectors and to the mounting lugs of 15XE. Such
failures, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of
electrical power from the standby generator.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued an All Operators Telex (AOT) 24-09, Revision 01,
dated August 13, 1998, which describes procedures for inspecting the
terminal lugs on the 12XC and 15XE connectors and the mounting lugs on
the 15XE connector for damage; and repair or replacement of the
terminal lugs or the 15XE connector with new parts, if necessary.
The DGAC classified Airbus AOT 24-09 as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directive 1999-077-278(B), dated February 24, 1999, 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
[[Page 38155]]
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 Airbus AOT 24-09, described previously.
Interim Action
This is considered to be an interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that approximately 109 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately
2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, 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 $13,080, or $120 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 99-NM-110-AD.
Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 05911 has been installed, and Model A300-600 series
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 06214 has been installed;
equipped with a standby generator (FIN 25XE); 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 (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 detect and correct broken terminal lugs on the 12XC and 15XE
connectors, and mounting lugs on the 15XE connector in the 101VU
panel in the avionics compartment, which could result in loss of
electrical power from the standby generator, accomplish the
following:
Inspection and Corrective Actions
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight hours, or
within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, accomplish the actions required by
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Airbus
All Operators Telex (AOT) 24-09, Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998.
(1) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the terminal lugs on
the 12XC and 15XE connectors to detect damage (i.e., overheat,
cracking, twisting, or total rupture). If any damage is detected,
prior to further flight, replace the terminal lugs with new terminal
lugs, part number NSA936501TA1004.
(2) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the mounting lugs on
connector 15XE to detect damage (i.e., cracking or breaking). If any
damage is detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the
requirements of either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Replace connector 15XE with a new connector, part number
25811BOHUNTKL vendor code F0214 ECE. Or,
(ii) Repair connector 15XE in accordance with Airbus AOT 24-09,
Section 4.2.2.3. Repeat the detailed visual inspection required by
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD of the repaired connector thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 1 week, and repeat the repair with new cable
ties thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 months, until the
replacement required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this AD is accomplished.
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 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
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive, 1999-077-278(B), dated February 24, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 9, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18102 Filed 7-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
