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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39

Docket ID: [Docket No. 2001-NM-314-AD; Amendment 39-13268; AD 2003-16-15]

RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Airworthiness directives:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes, and Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes

DATES: Effective September 22, 2003.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 22, 2003.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 B4600, B4600R, and F4600R (collectively called A300600) series airplanes, and Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. This AD requires replacement of Honeywell inertial reference units (IRU) with new or modified Honeywell IRUs. For certain airplanes, this proposal also would require replacement of Litton IRUs, mode selector units (MSU), and an inertial sensor display unit (ISDU) with new Honeywell IRUs, MSUs, and a new ISDU. This action is necessary to prevent loss of positioning data and a display of incorrect attitude data, which could compromise the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

SUMMARY: Airbus,

SUPPLEMENTAL 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 A300 B4600, B4600R, and F4600R (collectively called A300600) series airplanes, and Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2003 (68 FR 31996). That action proposed to require replacement of Honeywell inertial reference units (IRU) with new or modified Honeywell IRUs. For certain airplanes, that action also proposed to require replacement of Litton IRUs, mode selector units (MSU), and an inertial sensor display unit (ISDU) with new Honeywell IRUs, MSUs, and a new ISDU.

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. Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material. Change to Labor Rate Estimate

We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 89 Airbus Model A300600 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the replacement of Honeywell IRUs with new or modified Honeywell IRUs, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $106,355, or $1,195 per airplane.

The FAA estimates that 47 Airbus Model A310 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the replacement of Honeywell IRUs with new or modified Honeywell IRUs, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $56,165, or $1,195 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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.
[[Page 49341]]
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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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:

20031615 Airbus: Amendment 3913268. Docket 2001NM314AD.

Applicability: The series airplanes, certificated in any category, listed in the following table:
TableApplicability
Equipped with
honeywell initial Excluding airplanes Model reference units modified in having part accordance with number
A300 B4600, A300 B4600R, and HG1050BD02 or Airbus Modification A300 F4600R (collectively HG1050BD05. 12304 in production; called A300600); and A310. or Airbus Service Bulletin A30034 6135, Revision 01, dated September 10, 2001 (for Model A300 600 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A31034 2158, Revision 01, dated September 10, 2001 (for A310 Model A310 series airplanes); as applicable.

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 (f) 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 loss of positioning data and a display of incorrect attitude data to the flightcrew, which could compromise the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane, accomplish the following:
Replacement of Inertial Reference Units (IRU)
(a) Within 35 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace the existing Honeywell IRUs with new or modified Honeywell IRUs, per the Accomplishment Instructions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300346135, Revision 01 (for Model A300 B4600, A300 B4600R, and A300F4600R (collectively called A300600 series airplanes)); or Service Bulletin A310342158, Revision 01 (for Model A310 series airplanes); both dated September 10, 2001; as applicable.
(b) Accomplishment of the replacement specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300346135 (for Model A300600 series airplanes); or Service Bulletin A310342158 (for Model A310 series airplanes); both dated March 9, 2001; as applicable; is acceptable for compliance with the replacement requirement of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A300346135, Revision 01; and Airbus Service Bulletin A310342158, Revision 01; both dated September 10, 2001; reference Honeywell Service Bulletin HG1050BD 340009, dated April 17, 2001; and Honeywell Service Bulletin HG1050BD340010, Revision 001, dated April 16, 2001; as additional sources of service information for accomplishing the replacements required by this AD.
For Model A300600 Series Airplanes: Concurrent Requirements (c) For Model A300600 series airplanes with manufacturer's serial numbers 0284, 0294, 0301, 0307, 0312, 0317, 0321, 0336, 0341, 0348, 0351, 0555, 0559, 0625, 0677, 0743, 0744, and 0749: Before or concurrently with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD, replace the Litton IRUs, mode selector units (MSU), and inertial sensor display unit (ISDU) with new Honeywell IRUs, MSUs, and a new ISDU, per Airbus Service Bulletin A300346082, Revision 05, dated February 13, 1998. If this service bulletin is being performed concurrently with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD, the new or modified Honeywell IRUs required by paragraph (a) of this AD should be installed in lieu of the Honeywell part numbers listed in Revision 05 of Airbus Service Bulletin A300346082.
For Model A310 Series Airplanes: Concurrent Requirements
(d) For the Model A310 airplane with manufacturer's serial number 0172: Before or concurrently with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD, replace the Litton IRUs, MSUs, and ISDU with new Honeywell IRUs, MSUs, and a new ISDU, per Airbus Service Bulletin A310342104, dated May 12, 1995.
Parts Installation
(e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install, on any airplane, any part listed in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), or (e)(3) of this AD; as applicable.
(1) For Model A300600 series airplanes and Model A310 series airplanes: Honeywell IRUs having part number HG1050BD02 or HG1050BD05.
(2) For Model A300600 airplanes listed in paragraph (c) of this

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 980554056; telephone (425) 2272125; fax (425) 2271149.