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

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 73 (Friday, April 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20070-20072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9246]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-07-AD; Amendment 39-11685; AD 2000-07-29]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 
series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time operational test 
of the fire shut-off valves (FSOV) to determine if the FSOV's are 
functioning correctly, and replacement of failed parts with new or 
serviceable parts. This amendment requires repetitive performance of 
the operational test. This amendment also limits the applicability to 
airplanes installed with certain FSOV's. 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 detect and correct failure of the FSOV's to close, which 
could result in failure of the engine fire shut-off system, and 
consequent inability to extinguish an engine fire.

DATES: Effective May 19, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed 
in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the 
Federal Register as of September 4, 1998 (63 FR 40811, July 31, 1998).

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.

[[Page 20071]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-16-09, 
amendment 39-10685 (63 FR 40811, July 31, 1998), which is applicable to 
certain Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2000 (65 FR 6563). 
The action proposed to continue to require a one-time operational test 
of the fire shut-off valves (FSOV) to determine if the FSOV's are 
functioning correctly, and replacement of failed parts with new or 
serviceable parts. The action also proposed to require repetitive 
performance of the operational test. In addition, the action also 
proposed to limit the applicability to airplanes installed with certain 
FSOV's.

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.
    One commenter states no objection to the proposed rule. Another 
commenter states that it has no comment to the proposed rule.

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

    There are approximately 103 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The operational test that is currently required by AD 98-16-09, and 
retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required test on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $60 per airplane, per test cycle.
    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 removing amendment 39-10685 (63 FR 
40811, July 31, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-11685, to read as follows:

2000-07-29 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11685. Docket 99-NM-07-AD. 
Supersedes AD 98-16-09, Amendment 39-10685.

    Applicability: Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes; 
on which any fire shut-off valve (FSOV) having part number (P/N) 
B38LC50XX (where XX is 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, or 10) is installed; 
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 (c) 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 detect and correct failure of the FSOV's to close, which 
could result in failure of the engine fire shut-off system, and 
consequent inability to extinguish an engine fire, accomplish the 
following:

Repetitive Operational Tests

    (a) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform an operational test of the 4 FSOV's on the airplane, in 
accordance with Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 29-22, dated 
November 24, 1997. If any FSOV fails the test, prior to further 
flight, replace the FSOV with a new or serviceable FSOV, in 
accordance with the AOT. Repeat the operational test thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an FSOV, part number (P/N) B38LC50XX (where XX is 05, 06, 07, 08, 
09, or 10), on any airplane, unless a successful operational test 
has been performed in accordance with the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operator Telex
    (AOT) 29-22, dated November 24, 1997. This incorporation by 
reference was approved previously by the Director of the Federal as 
of September 4, 1998 (63 FR 40811, July 31, 1998). Copies may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be

[[Page 20072]]

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 98-356-259(B), dated September 9, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 19, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 7, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-9246 Filed 4-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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