AD 98-05-13

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, that requires a one-time visual inspection to determine the accuracy of the outer placards of the static ports. This amendment also requires a one-time inspection to detect crossed connections of the air data static system and the static probe heating system, and correction of any discrepancies. 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 prevent erroneous display of altitude information to the flight crew, and consequent reduced operational safety during all phases of flight.

Final rule.

98-05-13 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10374. Docket 97-NM-205-AD.

Applicability: All Model 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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) 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 prevent erroneous display of altitude information to the flight crew, and consequent reduced operational safety during all phases of flight, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time visual inspection of the outer placards of the static ports to determine that the identification of the static port corresponds with the specified position on the aircraft, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-04, dated July 16, 1996.

(b) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time visual inspection of the pneumatic connections of the captain, first officer, and standby air data static systems to detect cross-connected tubing, and conduct an operational check of each of the static probe heating systems to detect cross-connected wiring, in accordance with Airbus AOT 34-04, dated July 16, 1996.

(c) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, correct the discrepancy in accordance with Airbus AOT 34-04, dated July 16, 1996.

(d) 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. 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.

(e) 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.

(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex 34-04, dated July 16, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved bythe 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 97-098-216(B), dated March 26, 1997.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 10, 1998.

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 A310 and A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 6, 1997 (62 FR 60049). That action proposed to require a one-time visual inspection to determine the accuracy of the outer placards of the static ports. That action also proposed to require a one-time inspection to detect crossed connections of the air data static system and the static probe heating system, and correction of any discrepancies.

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

Support for the Proposal
One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request for Change of Applicability
One commenter requests that the applicability of the AD be revised to exclude airplanes manufactured after the issuance of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-04, dated July 16, 1996. The commenter states that, since the issuance of that AOT, the manufacturer has corrected assembly line faults that had resulted in the cross-connection of static lines and probe heat wiring (which is the unsafe condition identified in this AD).

The FAA does not concur that the applicability should be changed. The FAA finds that, based on information provided by the manufacturer, there is no available production modification that is equivalent to the procedures specified in the AOT (which is the appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the requirements of this AD). However, the FAA has verified that the manufacturer performs and documents the AOT-specified inspections prior to delivery. Therefore, by means of the phrase, "Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously" in the Compliance section of this AD, operators are credited for work already performed; airplaneshaving delivery records that document accomplishment of the AOT are not subject to the requirements of this AD. The FAA has determined that, in light of the severity of the unsafe condition and the minimal burden on operators, the applicability of this AD should remain unchanged in order to ensure compliance.

Conclusion
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.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 94 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $28,200, or $300 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.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: