Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes); and Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes, 1949-1951 [06-182]
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<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 8 / Thursday, January 12, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by
reference of this document in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O.
Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124–2207,
for a copy of this service information. You
may review copies at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL–401,
Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the
Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at the NARA,
call (202) 741–6030, or go to https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_
locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
December 30, 2005.
Linda Navarro,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06–183 Filed 1–11–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–22053; Directorate
Identifier 2004–NM–74–AD; Amendment 39–
14449; AD 2006–01–10]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R
Series Airplanes, and Model C4–605R
Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called
A300–600 Series Airplanes); and
Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Airbus airplanes, listed above. This AD
requires installing two-stage relays in
the electronics rack (90VU), and
performing related corrective and
investigative actions. This AD results
from reports of inadvertent rudder trim
activation when the autopilot is on. We
are issuing this AD to prevent
inadvertent trim activation when the
autopilot is on and the slats are
extended, which could result in rudder
activation when the autopilot is turned
off.
DATES: This AD becomes effective
February 16, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in the AD
as of February 16, 2006.
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15:48 Jan 11, 2006
Jkt 205001
You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401,
Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France,
for service information identified in this
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2125;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness
directive (AD) docket on the Internet at
https://dms.dot.gov or in person at the
Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Docket Management Facility office
(telephone (800) 647–5227) is located on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building at
the street address stated in the
ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would
apply to certain Airbus Model A300 B4–
600, B4–600R, and F4–600R series
airplanes, and Model C4–605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called A300–600
series airplanes); and Airbus Model
A310 series airplanes. That NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on
August 10, 2005 (70 FR 46437). That
NPRM proposed to require installing
two-stage relays in the electronics rack
(90VU), and performing related
corrective and investigative actions.
Comments
We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have
considered the comments received.
Support for the Proposed Rule
Several commenters support the
intent of the proposed AD.
Request To Change Applicability
One commenter, the airplane
manufacturer, requests that we revise
the applicability of the proposed AD to
exclude airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 11442 has been
accomplished.
We agree with the commenter. The
requested change would clarify the
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
1949
applicability for operators and be in line
with the applicability of the parallel
French airworthiness directive. We have
revised paragraph (c) of the AD to
exclude these airplanes.
Request To Identify Certain Part
Numbers
One commenter requests that the
parts to be installed be identified in the
proposed AD by manufacturer or part
number. The commenter assumes that
specific part numbers are identified in
the referenced service information;
however, since such information is not
generally available to the public, it is
not possible for the commenter to
determine precisely which relays are to
be installed.
The same commenter also requests
that the proposed AD provide for the
possible existence of approved PMA
parts by appending the phrase ‘‘or FAAapproved equivalent part number’’ to
the part number of the part required to
be installed. The commenter states that
because it cannot determine which
relays are to be installed, it is unable to
identify if any possible alternatives
approved under section 21.303 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.303) exist. The commenter notes that
airframe manufacturers, particularly
foreign-based manufacturers, do not
consider the impact of 14 CFR 21.303 in
the creation of their service bulletins.
Therefore, service documents can, and
often do, create conditions that ‘‘seek to
contravene existing law’’ by mandating
the installation of a certain partnumbered part to the exclusion of all
other parts that may now or in the
future exist as FAA-approved
alternatives.
We do not concur with the
commenter’s requests. Accomplishing
the requirements of this AD involves
installing two-stage relays in the
electronics rack (90VU). Part numbers
associated with accomplishing the
installation are listed in the service
bulletins referenced in this AD as the
appropriate sources of service
information. We find that it is
impractical for us to list these numerous
part numbers in the AD.
However, the commenter’s remarks
are timely in that the Transport
Airplane Directorate currently is in the
process of reviewing the issue of
addressing PMA parts in ADs as that
issue applies to transport category
airplanes. Once we have thoroughly
examined all aspects of this issue and
have made a final determination, we
will consider whether our policy needs
to be revised. We consider that to delay
this AD action would be inappropriate,
since we have determined that an
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1950
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 8 / Thursday, January 12, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
unsafe condition exists and that
replacement of certain parts must be
accomplished to ensure continued
safety. Therefore, no change has been
made to the AD in this regard.
Request To Reference Earlier and Later
Service Bulletins
One commenter requests that we
permit the use of future revisions of the
service bulletins specified in the
proposed AD and in all FAA ADs in
general. The commenter states that
subsequent revisions of the service
bulletin that are not specifically
referenced in a rule may not appreciably
affect the work accomplished. The
commenter gives the example that a
revision to annotate the bulletin as
‘‘mandatory’’ would be an
administrative change not affecting the
scope of work. The commenter states
that the cognizant FAA engineering
authority should have sufficient
information to determine the applicable
service bulletin revisions that would
accomplish the necessary corrective
action, and that the final rule should
provide operators with comprehensive
information regarding all available data
subject to the rule.
In addition, the commenter also
points out that when a service bulletin
states in the preamble, ‘‘no additional
work required by this latest revision for
any aircraft modified by any previous
issue,’’ the AD should approve of work
accomplished up to the revision level
available at the time of the proposed
rule.
We do not agree with the commenter’s
request. Approving revisions of service
bulletins that have not yet been released
would violate the Office of the Federal
Register’s (OFR) regulations for
approving materials that are
incorporated by reference. In general
terms, we are required by these OFR
regulations either to publish the service
document contents as part of the actual
AD language, or to submit the service
document to the OFR for approval as
‘‘referenced’’ material, in which case we
may only refer to such material in the
text of an AD. The AD may refer to the
service document only if the OFR has
approved it for ‘‘incorporation by
reference.’’ To allow operators to use
later revisions of a referenced
document, we must either revise the AD
to reference the specific later revisions,
or operators may request approval to use
later revisions as an alternative method
of compliance (AMOC) with this AD.
Operators may request approval of an
AMOC for this AD under the provisions
of paragraph (h) of this AD.
For similar reasons, we cannot use the
phrase ‘‘or any prior revision,’’ to allow
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:48 Jan 11, 2006
Jkt 205001
operators to use previous revisions of a
service bulletin. However, we list the
approved earlier revisions in the AD,
which allows us to specify which
revisions are approved for compliance
with certain or all requirements of the
AD. In this particular AD, the approved
earlier revisions are identified in
paragraph (g), Table 2, of the AD. These
approved earlier revisions include,
among others, Airbus Service Bulletin
A300–27–6031, Revision 01, dated
September 3, 1997, and Revision 02,
dated December 4, 1998, but not the
original revision, dated February 14,
1997. No change to the AD is needed in
this regard.
Clarification of AMOCs Paragraph
We have revised this action to clarify
the appropriate procedure for notifying
the principal inspector before using any
approved AMOC on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the
available data, including the comments
received, and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the changes described
previously. We have determined that
these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor
increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 115 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The actions take between
3 and 14 work hours per airplane,
depending on the airplane’s
configuration, at an average labor rate of
$65 per work hour. Required parts cost
between $520 and $1,330 per airplane,
depending on the airplane’s
configuration. Based on these figures,
the estimated cost of the proposed AD
for U.S. operators is between $82,225
and $257,600, or between $715 and
$2,240 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in subtitle VII,
part A, subpart III, section 44701,
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will
not have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
I
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
I
2006–01–10 Airbus: Amendment 39–14449.
Docket No. FAA–2005–22053;
Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–74–AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective February 16,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 8 / Thursday, January 12, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes
identified in Table 1 of this AD, certificated
in any category, except for airplanes on
which Airbus Modification 11442 has been
accomplished.
TABLE 1.—AIRBUS AIRPLANES AFFECTED BY THIS AD
Affected models—
As identified in paragraph 1.A.(2)(a), ‘‘Effectivity by
MSN,’’ of Airbus Service Bulletin—
Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R, and F4–600R series airplanes, and Model C4–605R
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300–600 series airplanes).
Model A310 series airplanes ...........................................................................................
A300–27–6031, Revision 03, dated February 9, 2001.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of
inadvertent rudder trim activation when the
autopilot is on. We are issuing this AD to
prevent inadvertent trim activation when the
autopilot is on and the slats are extended,
which could result in rudder activation when
the autopilot is turned off.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
A310–27–2077, Revision 03, dated February 9, 2001.
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Installation
(f) Within 16 months after the effective
date of this AD: Install two-stage relays in the
electronics rack 90VU between switch 4CG
and relays 12CG and 13CG; and do any
applicable related corrective and
investigative actions before further flight. Do
all the actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin A300–27–6031, Revision 03,
dated February 9, 2001 (for Model A300–600
series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin
A310–27–2077, Revision 03, dated February
9, 2001 (for Model A310 series airplanes).
Modification According to Previous Issues of
Service Bulletins
(g) Installations are also acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of
paragraph (f) of this AD if done before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with
one of the service bulletins identified in
Table 2 of this AD.
TABLE 2.—PREVIOUS ISSUES OF SERVICE BULLETINS
Airbus Service Bulletin
A300–27–6031
A300–27–6031
A310–27–2077
A310–27–2077
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive 98–175–
249(B), dated April 22, 1998, also addresses
the subject of this AD.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
Revision
15:48 Jan 11, 2006
Jkt 205001
01
02
01
02
September 3, 1997.
December 4, 1998.
September 3, 1997.
December 4, 1998.
Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at the NARA,
call (202) 741–6030, or go to https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
December 30, 2005.
Linda Navarro,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06–182 Filed 1–11–06; 8:45 am]
RIN 2120–AA64
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin
A300–27–6031, Revision 03, dated February
9, 2001; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310–27–
2077, Revision 03, dated February 9, 2001; as
applicable, to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by
reference of these documents in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a
copy of this service information. You may
review copies at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL–401,
Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Date
PO 00000
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–22792; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–084–AD; Amendment
39–14447; AD 2006–01–08]
Airworthiness Directives; BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Model
Avro 146–RJ Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE
Systems (Operations) Limited Model
Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This AD requires
reviewing the airplane’s maintenance
records to determine if certain tasks of
the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
BAe146/Avro RJ Maintenance Planning
Document issued May 15, 2004, have
been accomplished. This AD also
requires doing repetitive detailed
inspections of the external fuselage skin
adjacent to the longeron at rib 0 from
frame 29 to frame 31, and repairing any
Frm 00037
Fmt 4700
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E:\FR\FM\12JAR1.SGM
12JAR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1949-1951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-182]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22053; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-74-AD;
Amendment 39-14449; AD 2006-01-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and
F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes
(Collectively Called A300-600 Series Airplanes); and Airbus Model A310
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus airplanes, listed above. This AD requires installing
two-stage relays in the electronics rack (90VU), and performing related
corrective and investigative actions. This AD results from reports of
inadvertent rudder trim activation when the autopilot is on. We are
issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent trim activation when the
autopilot is on and the slats are extended, which could result in
rudder activation when the autopilot is turned off.
DATES: This AD becomes effective February 16, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of February 16,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the
Internet at https://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes);
and Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on August 10, 2005 (70 FR 46437). That NPRM proposed
to require installing two-stage relays in the electronics rack (90VU),
and performing related corrective and investigative actions.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Support for the Proposed Rule
Several commenters support the intent of the proposed AD.
Request To Change Applicability
One commenter, the airplane manufacturer, requests that we revise
the applicability of the proposed AD to exclude airplanes on which
Airbus Modification 11442 has been accomplished.
We agree with the commenter. The requested change would clarify the
applicability for operators and be in line with the applicability of
the parallel French airworthiness directive. We have revised paragraph
(c) of the AD to exclude these airplanes.
Request To Identify Certain Part Numbers
One commenter requests that the parts to be installed be identified
in the proposed AD by manufacturer or part number. The commenter
assumes that specific part numbers are identified in the referenced
service information; however, since such information is not generally
available to the public, it is not possible for the commenter to
determine precisely which relays are to be installed.
The same commenter also requests that the proposed AD provide for
the possible existence of approved PMA parts by appending the phrase
``or FAA-approved equivalent part number'' to the part number of the
part required to be installed. The commenter states that because it
cannot determine which relays are to be installed, it is unable to
identify if any possible alternatives approved under section 21.303 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.303) exist. The commenter
notes that airframe manufacturers, particularly foreign-based
manufacturers, do not consider the impact of 14 CFR 21.303 in the
creation of their service bulletins. Therefore, service documents can,
and often do, create conditions that ``seek to contravene existing
law'' by mandating the installation of a certain part-numbered part to
the exclusion of all other parts that may now or in the future exist as
FAA-approved alternatives.
We do not concur with the commenter's requests. Accomplishing the
requirements of this AD involves installing two-stage relays in the
electronics rack (90VU). Part numbers associated with accomplishing the
installation are listed in the service bulletins referenced in this AD
as the appropriate sources of service information. We find that it is
impractical for us to list these numerous part numbers in the AD.
However, the commenter's remarks are timely in that the Transport
Airplane Directorate currently is in the process of reviewing the issue
of addressing PMA parts in ADs as that issue applies to transport
category airplanes. Once we have thoroughly examined all aspects of
this issue and have made a final determination, we will consider
whether our policy needs to be revised. We consider that to delay this
AD action would be inappropriate, since we have determined that an
[[Page 1950]]
unsafe condition exists and that replacement of certain parts must be
accomplished to ensure continued safety. Therefore, no change has been
made to the AD in this regard.
Request To Reference Earlier and Later Service Bulletins
One commenter requests that we permit the use of future revisions
of the service bulletins specified in the proposed AD and in all FAA
ADs in general. The commenter states that subsequent revisions of the
service bulletin that are not specifically referenced in a rule may not
appreciably affect the work accomplished. The commenter gives the
example that a revision to annotate the bulletin as ``mandatory'' would
be an administrative change not affecting the scope of work. The
commenter states that the cognizant FAA engineering authority should
have sufficient information to determine the applicable service
bulletin revisions that would accomplish the necessary corrective
action, and that the final rule should provide operators with
comprehensive information regarding all available data subject to the
rule.
In addition, the commenter also points out that when a service
bulletin states in the preamble, ``no additional work required by this
latest revision for any aircraft modified by any previous issue,'' the
AD should approve of work accomplished up to the revision level
available at the time of the proposed rule.
We do not agree with the commenter's request. Approving revisions
of service bulletins that have not yet been released would violate the
Office of the Federal Register's (OFR) regulations for approving
materials that are incorporated by reference. In general terms, we are
required by these OFR regulations either to publish the service
document contents as part of the actual AD language, or to submit the
service document to the OFR for approval as ``referenced'' material, in
which case we may only refer to such material in the text of an AD. The
AD may refer to the service document only if the OFR has approved it
for ``incorporation by reference.'' To allow operators to use later
revisions of a referenced document, we must either revise the AD to
reference the specific later revisions, or operators may request
approval to use later revisions as an alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) with this AD. Operators may request approval of an AMOC for this
AD under the provisions of paragraph (h) of this AD.
For similar reasons, we cannot use the phrase ``or any prior
revision,'' to allow operators to use previous revisions of a service
bulletin. However, we list the approved earlier revisions in the AD,
which allows us to specify which revisions are approved for compliance
with certain or all requirements of the AD. In this particular AD, the
approved earlier revisions are identified in paragraph (g), Table 2, of
the AD. These approved earlier revisions include, among others, Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-27-6031, Revision 01, dated September 3, 1997,
and Revision 02, dated December 4, 1998, but not the original revision,
dated February 14, 1997. No change to the AD is needed in this regard.
Clarification of AMOCs Paragraph
We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 115 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions
take between 3 and 14 work hours per airplane, depending on the
airplane's configuration, at an average labor rate of $65 per work
hour. Required parts cost between $520 and $1,330 per airplane,
depending on the airplane's configuration. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is between $82,225
and $257,600, or between $715 and $2,240 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-01-10 Airbus: Amendment 39-14449. Docket No. FAA-2005-22053;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-74-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective February 16, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
[[Page 1951]]
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in Table
1 of this AD, certificated in any category, except for airplanes on
which Airbus Modification 11442 has been accomplished.
Table 1.--Airbus Airplanes Affected by This AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As identified in paragraph
1.A.(2)(a), ``Effectivity by
Affected models-- MSN,'' of Airbus Service
Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R A300-27-6031, Revision 03,
series airplanes, and Model C4-605R dated February 9, 2001.
Variant F airplanes (collectively
called A300-600 series airplanes).
Model A310 series airplanes............. A310-27-2077, Revision 03,
dated February 9, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of inadvertent rudder trim
activation when the autopilot is on. We are issuing this AD to
prevent inadvertent trim activation when the autopilot is on and the
slats are extended, which could result in rudder activation when the
autopilot is turned off.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Installation
(f) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD:
Install two-stage relays in the electronics rack 90VU between switch
4CG and relays 12CG and 13CG; and do any applicable related
corrective and investigative actions before further flight. Do all
the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6031, Revision 03, dated February 9,
2001 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or Airbus Service
Bulletin A310-27-2077, Revision 03, dated February 9, 2001 (for
Model A310 series airplanes).
Modification According to Previous Issues of Service Bulletins
(g) Installations are also acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD if done before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with one of the service
bulletins identified in Table 2 of this AD.
Table 2.--Previous Issues of Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Service Bulletin Revision Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-27-6031................ 01 September 3, 1997.
A300-27-6031................ 02 December 4, 1998.
A310-27-2077................ 01 September 3, 1997.
A310-27-2077................ 02 December 4, 1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive 98-175-249(B), dated April
22, 1998, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6031, Revision
03, dated February 9, 2001; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2077,
Revision 03, dated February 9, 2001; as applicable, to perform the
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this
service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet
at https://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to https://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 30, 2005.
Linda Navarro,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-182 Filed 1-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
