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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-110-AD; Amendment 39-11327; AD 99-19-40]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and 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 A310 and A300-600 series airplanes,

that requires 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 amendment is

prompted by the issuance of a mandatory continuing airworthiness

information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions

specified by this 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: Effective October 27, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of October 27, 1999.

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

[[Page 51191]]

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 A310 and

A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July

15, 1999 (64 FR 38154). That action proposed to 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.

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.

Explanation of Changes Made to Proposal

The FAA has added a note to the final rule to clarify the

definition of a detailed visual inspection. Additionally, the FAA has

corrected a typographical error of a part number in paragraph (a)(2)(i)

of this final rule.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest

require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously.

The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the

economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

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

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 required 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 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:

99-19-40 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-11327. 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.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a

specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to

detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is

normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at

intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such

as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and

elaborate access procedures may be required.''

[[Page 51192]]

(i) Replace connector 15XE with a new connector, part number

25811BOSHUNTKL 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 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.

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 actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All

Operators Telex (AOT) 24-09, Revision 01, dated August 13, 1998.

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, 1999-077-278(B), dated February 24, 1999.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-24201 Filed 9-21-99; 8:45 am]

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