[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53849-53851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25030]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-174-AD; Amendment 39-9391; AD 95-21-06]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. This 
action requires replacement of the fire extinguisher distribution pipe 
and attachments in the lower deck cargo compartment fire extinguishing 
system. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that, in 
response to a smoke warning in the forward cargo compartment on one 
airplane, bottle 2 of the fire extinguishing system did not discharge 
extinguishing agent into the cargo compartment due to a blockage of the 
discharge pipe by debris within it. The actions specified in this AD 
are intended to ensure that, in the event of a fire, adequate fire 
extinguishing agent is discharged into the cargo compartment.

DATES: Effective November 2, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 2, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 18, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-

[[Page 53850]]
174-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2589; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus 
Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that one 
operator has reported that, in response to a forward cargo compartment 
smoke warning, the cargo fire extinguishers were fired. Bottle #1 
discharged extinguishing agent into the cargo compartment normally; 
however, bottle #2 did not discharge. Investigation revealed that 
debris from the cartridge/disc from bottle #1 had partially clogged the 
discharge pipe, which then prevented the extinguishing agent from being 
discharged from bottle #2. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in an inadequate amount of fire extinguishing agent being 
discharged to the cargo compartment in the event of a fire.
    Airbus has issued three service bulletins relevant to this problem:
    1. Service Bulletin A330-26-3002, dated March 29, 1994, which is 
applicable to Model A330 series airplanes;
    2. Service Bulletin A340-26-4007, Revision 1, dated May 16, 1994, 
which is applicable to Model A340 series airplanes; and
    3. Service Bulletin A340-26-4007, Revision 2, dated November 22, 
1994, which also is applicable to Model A340 series airplanes.
    These service bulletins describe procedures for installing a 
modified discharge pipe between bottle #2 and the halon filter in the 
fire extinguishing system of the lower deck cargo compartment. The 
modified pipe entails two new hoses with an increased diameter and 
larger elbow radius, which will prevent the blockage problems caused by 
debris in the discharge pipe.
    The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
French Airworthiness Directives (CN) 94-117-001(B), dated May 11, 1994, 
which is applicable to Model A330 series airplanes; and 94-118-007(B), 
dated May 11, 1994, which is applicable to Model A340 series airplanes; 
in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.
    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, this AD is being issued to ensure that, in the 
event of a fire, adequate fire extinguishing agent is discharged into 
the cargo compartment. This AD requires replacing the fire extinguisher 
distribution pipe and attachments of the extinguishing system of the 
lower deck cargo compartment with a modified pipe assembly. The actions 
are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletins described previously.
    None of the Model A330 or A340 series airplanes affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 8 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would be provided free of charge by the 
manufacturer. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
would be $480 per airplane.
    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-174-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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) 

[[Page 53851]]
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-21-06  Airbus:  Amendment 39-9391. Docket 95-NM-174-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330-301 series airplanes, and Model A340-
211, -212, -311, and -312 series airplanes; on which Airbus 
Modification 42451 has not been 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 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure that, in the event of a fire, adequate fire 
extinguishing agent is discharged into the cargo compartment, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the fire extinguisher distribution pipe and attachments of 
the lower deck cargo compartment fire extinguishing system in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-26-3002, dated March 
29, 1994 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-26-4007, Revision 1, dated May 16, 1994, or Revision 
2, dated November 22, 1994 (applicable to Model A340 series 
airplanes).
    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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.
    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-26-3002, dated March 29, 1994; and Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-26-4007, Revision 1, dated May 16, 1994, or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-26-4007, Revision 2, dated November 22, 
1994; as applicable. These service bulletins contain the following 
list of effective pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Service bulletin No. and date     Page No.   Revision level shown on page           Date shown on page         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-26-3002, March 29, 1994...         1-11  (Original)..................  March 29, 1994.                     
A340-26-4007, Revision 1, May           1-11  1...........................  May 19, 1994.                       
 16, 1994.                                                                                                      
A340-26-4007, Revision 2,                  1  2...........................  November 22,1994.                   
 November 22, 1994.                                                                                             
                                        2-11  1...........................  May 16, 1994.                       
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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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 2, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 3, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25030 Filed 10-17-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U