[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50485-50487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25031]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-169-AD; Amendment 39-10780; AD 98-20-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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[[Page 50486]]
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, that requires
repetitive inspections to detect corrosion on the fuselage skin panels
that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the wing; and
follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. 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 detect and correct corrosion on the fuselage skin
panels that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the wing,
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage
pressure vessel.
DATES: Effective October 27, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 27, 1998.
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 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 31, 1998 (63 FR
40850). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections to
detect corrosion on the fuselage skin panels that surround the
emergency exits immediately aft of the wing; and follow-on corrective
actions, if necessary.
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 24 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 $2,880, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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:
98-20-13 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10780. Docket 98-NM-169-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes, as listed in Airbus
Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-301, Revision 1, dated February
20, 1997; 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 (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 corrosion on the fuselage skin panels that
surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the wing, which
could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage
pressure vessel, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a visual inspection to detect corrosion on the fuselage skin
panels that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the
wing, between frames 55 to 58, and from stringers 13 to 31, left and
right; in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-
301, dated September 28, 1995, or Revision 1, dated February 20,
1997.
(1) If no corrosion is detected, repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months on all areas on the
fuselage skin panels that do not have a doubler installed or areas
that have not been partially or completely replaced.
(2) If any corrosion is detected, prior to further flight,
accomplish rework and perform a residual thickness measurement, in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) If the measurement does not exceed the allowable limits
specified by the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 18 months.
(ii) If the measurement does exceed the allowable limits
specified by the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin, prior to further flight, repair using a doubler, or
replace the affected areas of the skin panel the installation of a
new skin panel (partially or completely), in accordance
[[Page 50487]]
with the service bulletin. Accomplishment of either action
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections
required by this AD for the repaired area or the replaced panel
sections only.
Note 2: Inspections, repairs, and replacements of the fuselage
skin panels that surround the emergency exits immediately aft of the
wing that have been accomplished prior to the effective date of this
AD, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-
301, dated September 28, 1995, are considered acceptable for
compliance with the applicable action specified in this AD.
(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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus
Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-301, dated September 28, 1995, or
Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-53-301, Revision 1, dated
February 20, 1997. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-357-231(B), dated November 19, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25031 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
