AD 95-10-14

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes, that requires repetitive mechanical and electrical inspections to detect chafing of electrical wiring; and repair or replacement of discrepant parts, and repositioning the looms. This amendment is prompted by reports of wire chafing in the forward avionic compartment. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such chafing, which may lead to a short in the electrical circuits at the 104VU panel; this condition could result in unwanted depressurization, loss of wing de-icing, and loss of in-flight engine restart capability.

Final rule.

95-10-14 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-9231. Docket 94-NM-193-AD.

Applicability: All Model A300, A310, and A300-600 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification,alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent unwanted depressurization, loss of wing de-icing, and loss of in-flight engine restart capability, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 600 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Perform mechanical inspections to detect discrepancies, in accordance with paragraph 4.2.1. of Airbus All Operators Telex AOT 24-05, Revision 1, dated June 7, 1994. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,050 flight hours. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, repair or replace discrepant parts, and perform an electrical inspection in accordance with the AOT.
(2) Perform an electrical inspection to detect discrepancies, in accordance with paragraph 4.2.2. of Airbus All Operators Telex AOT 24-05,Revision 1, dated June 7, 1994. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, repair or replace discrepant parts, and reposition the looms, in accordance with the AOT.

(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(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 inspections, repair, and replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex AOT 24-05, Revision 1, dated June 7, 1994. 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 21, 1995.

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 A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 1995 (60 FR 384). That action proposed to require repetitive mechanical and electrical inspections to detect discrepancies; and repair or replacement of discrepant parts, and repositioning the looms.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

Two commenters support the proposed rule.

One commenter requests that the proposal be revised to include removal of the avionics bay ladder as an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The commenter states that removing the avionics bay ladder will prevent future chafing. The commenter states that it has removed the avionics bay ladder in accordance with the Airplane Maintenance Manual and will request an alternative method of compliance. The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to revise the final rule. The FAA does not consider it appropriate to include various provisions in an AD applicable to a single operator's unique configuration of an affected airplane. Paragraph (b) of this AD provides for the approval of an alternative method of compliance to address these types of unique configurations.

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has advised that it currently is developing a modification that will positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

The FAA estimates that 69 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,140, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The total 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 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: