Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 204-205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-222-AD; Amendment 39-11491; AD 99-27-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, 
that requires wiring modifications to the engine and auxiliary power 
unit (APU) fire detection system. 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 the fire warning from terminating prematurely, 
which could result in an unnoticed, uncontained engine/APU fire.

DATES: Effective February 8, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY 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 A310 and 
A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
October 6, 1999 (64 FR 54248). That action proposed to require wiring 
modifications to the engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fire 
detection system.

Comments

    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 AD.

Request to Change Material in the Electrical Cabling

    One commenter provides data that suggest that the FAA should 
require an alternative material for the electrical cabling to the 
engine's core wiring harnesses for the engine/APU fire detection 
system, rather than require a change to the control logic of the fire 
detection system. The commenter states that the presently used wire 
harness will degrade rapidly in the high temperature and vibration 
environment. The commenter describes an alternative material that can 
withstand these severe environments without degradation. Thus, it could 
prevent damage to the wire harness in the event of an engine fire.
    The FAA does not concur with the proposal. The Airbus service 
bulletins referenced as the appropriate sources of service information 
for accomplishment of the wiring modifications required by this AD 
address the potential for the APU engine fire warning to terminate 
prematurely; these service bulletins provide a design change to the 
detection system control logic that would address the identified unsafe 
condition. The FAA has determined that the installation of electrical 
cabling made of an alternative material, though increasing the harness 
resistance, wound not ensure a reliable fire detection system control 
logic. Although a change in the cabling material may provide some long-
term benefit, it does not directly correct the unsafe condition 
identified and addressed in this AD. No change to the AD is required.

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 113 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. Required parts will cost approximately $408 
per airplane. Based on these

[[Page 205]]

figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$80,004, or $708 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 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.

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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-27-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11491. Docket 99-NM-222-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus 
Modifications 06267 and 07340 have been accomplished during 
production.

    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 (b) 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 the fire warning from terminating prematurely, which 
could result in an unnoticed, uncontained engine/auxiliary power 
unit (APU) fire, accomplish the following:

Modifications

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the wiring modifications to the engine and APU fire 
detection system in the relay box 282VU and the electronics rack 
90VU in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2024, 
Revision 04, dated March 5, 1999 (for Model A310 series airplanes); 
or A300-26-6038, dated March 5, 1999, or Revision 1, dated September 
8, 1999 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The modifications shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-26-2024, Revision 04, dated March 5, 1999; 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-26-6038, dated March 5, 1999; or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-26-6038, Revision 1, dated September 8, 1999; 
as applicable. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-238-286(B), dated June 2, 1999.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2000.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12 Filed 1-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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