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

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

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.

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.

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 §§ 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 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.