[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16070-16072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8266]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-101-AD; Amendment 39-9983; AD 97-07-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 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 A300 series airplanes, that requires 
repetitive checks and testing of certain equipment that regulates the 
flow of fuel from wing tank 2A to the number 2 engine. This amendment 
also requires replacement of this equipment with equipment that has 
been designed to prevent incorrect installation; this replacement is 
considered to be terminating action for the repetitive equipment checks 
and tests. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the 
incorrect installation of this equipment has caused the flight crew to 
shut off, rather than open, certain valves that regulate the flow of 
fuel from between this tank and engine. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to detect and rectify incorrect installations, which 
could result in the flight crew inadvertently shutting off the flow of 
fuel to the engine, and consequent engine failure during flight.

DATES: Effective May 9, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex,

[[Page 16071]]

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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 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 A300 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 13, 1997 (62 
FR 1695). That action proposed to require repetitive checks of the 
control knobs on isolation valve and crossfeed valve control unit 5QB; 
and repetitive tests of this control unit. As terminating action for 
these repetitive checks and tests, that action also proposed to require 
that operators replace these knobs and this control unit with knobs and 
a control unit that have been modified.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter advises that it does not operate the affected Airbus 
series aircraft and, therefore, is not affected by this rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
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 13 Airbus Model A300 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
each required check and test cycle, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required 
check and test on U.S. operators is estimated to be $780, or $60 per 
airplane, per check/test cyle.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required replacement of the control knobs and control unit, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $1,043 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$14,339, or $1,103 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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) 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:

97-07-09 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9983. Docket 96-NM-101-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes, as listed in the 
Airbus service documents referenced in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) 
of this AD; 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) 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 flight crew from inadvertently shutting off the 
flow of fuel from wing tank 2A to the number 2 engine, due to the 
incorrect installation of the isolation valve and crossfeed valve 
control unit 5QB, and the consequent failure of the engine, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes listed in Airbus A300 All Operator Telex (AOT) 
28-03, dated June 6, 1991: Within 30 days after the effective date 
of this AD, perform a check and functional test of the control knob 
configurations for the isolation valve and crossfeed valve control 
unit 5QB, in accordance with Airbus AOT 28-03, dated June 6, 1991.
    (1) Repeat the check and test thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 500 hours time-in-service, and prior to further flight after 
any maintenance action is performed on the control unit.
    (2) Any unit that does not successfully pass the check/
functional test, must be repaired or otherwise rectified prior to 
further flight, in accordance with the AOT.
    (b) For airplanes listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-055, 
Revision 3, dated December 19, 1991, as amended by Service Bulletin 
Change Notice 3.A., dated March 16, 1992: 
    Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
crossfeed and isolation valve control unit 5QB with a modified unit, 
in accordance Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-055, Revision 3, dated 
December 19, 1991, as amended by Service Bulletin Change Notice 3.A.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-055, Revision 3, 
references L'equipment et La Construction Electrique (ECE) Service 
Bulletins 28-195 and 28-196, both dated August 31, 1983, as 
additional sources of procedural information for replacement of the 
control unit.

    (c) For airplanes listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0061,

[[Page 16072]]

Revision 1, dated March 14, 1992: Within 2 years after the effective 
date of this AD, replace the control knobs on the crossfeed and 
isolation valve control unit 5QB with new knobs, in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0061, Revision 1, dated March 14, 1992.

    Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0061, Revision 1, 
references ECE Service Bulletins 28-191, dated July 26, 1982, and 
28-228, dated November 1, 1991, as additional sources of procedural 
information for replacement of the control knobs.

    (d) Accomplishment of both of the replacements specified in 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD constitutes terminating action for 
the repetitive checks and tests required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD.
    (e) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (f) 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.
    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following 
Airbus service documents, which contain the specified list of 
effective pages:

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Service bulletin referenced and                                 Revision level shown on                         
              date                          Page No.                      page              Date shown on page  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT)  1-3..........................    .....................  June 6, 1991           
 28-03, June 6, 1991.                                                                                           
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28- 1,4..........................  3......................  Dec. 19, 1991.         
 055, Revision 3, December 19,                                                                                  
 1991.                                                                                                          
                                 2, 3, 5, 6...................  2......................  Sept. 19, 1991.        
                                 7, 9, 10, 13.................  Original...............  Oct. 16, 1983.         
                                 8, 11, 12....................  1......................  July 2, 1991.          
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28- 1-2..........................    .....................  Mar. 16, 1992          
 055, Change Notice 3.A., March                                                                                 
 16, 1992.                                                                                                      
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28- 1............................  1......................  Mar. 14, 1992.         
 0061, Revision 1, March 14,                                                                                    
 1992.                                                                                                          
                                 2-7..........................  Original...............  Jan. 23, 1992.         
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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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 9, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 26, 1997.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8266 Filed 4-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U