AD 2004-20-11

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes; and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600). This AD requires an inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain repairs, and applicable related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by the results of an engineering evaluation that revealed that several repairs and some allowable damage limits specified in the structural repair manuals do not provide adequate static and/or fatigue strength for repaired wing slats. We are issuing this AD to find and fix previously done repairs of the wing slats that have inadequate static and/or fatigue strength, which, if not corrected, could result in loss of the slats and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Final rule.

2004-20-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-13816. Docket No. FAA-2004-18602; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-160-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 17, 2004.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in in Table 1 of this AD.

Table 1.-Applicability

Model
Serial nos.
A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes.
All.
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600).
796 and earlier.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by the results of an engineering evaluation that revealed that several repairs and some allowable damage limits specified in the structural repair manuals do not provide adequate static and/or fatigue strength for repaired wing slats. We are issuing this AD to find and fix previously done repairs of the wing slats that have inadequate static and/or fatigue strength, which, if not corrected, could result in loss of the slats and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

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.

Service Bulletins

(f) The term "service bulletin," as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 2 of this AD.

Table 2.-Service Bulletins

For model
Airbus service bulletin
(1) A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600).
A300-57-6092, Revision 02, dated November 21, 2002.
(2) A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes
A300-57-0238, Revision 02, dated November 21, 2002.

Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions

(g) Within 18 months or 1,500 flight cycles from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain repairs, and do all applicable related investigative/corrective actions, by accomplishing all the actions in the applicable service bulletin. Do the actions in accordance with the service bulletin, except as required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD. Do any related investigative/corrective action before further flight.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is "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."

Repair

(h) If any damage is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD,and the service bulletin recommends contacting Airbus for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated agent).

(i) If any repair that has a specific Airbus approval other than a Repair Approval Sheet signed by the DGAC (or its delegated agent) is found during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, and the service bulletin specifies that the related investigative action is not necessary: Before further flight, do the applicable related investigative/corrective actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Where there are differences between this AD and the service bulletin, the AD prevails.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using theprocedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

(l) French airworthiness directive 2003-086(B), effective March 15, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(m) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0238, Revision 02, dated November 21, 2002; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6092, Revision 02, dated November 21, 2002; as applicable; unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. For information on the availability of this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management Facility,U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an AD for all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; and certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42368), to require an inspection of the skin panels of the wing slats for damage and certain repairs, and applicable related investigative/corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

We have revised the applicability of the existing AD to identify model designations as published in the most recent type certificate data sheet for the affected models.

Costs of Compliance

This AD will affect about 120 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions will take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $23,400, or $195 per airplane.

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. 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:

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. The FAA amends 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: