[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19917-19919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10320]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-204-AD; Amendment 39-10000; AD 97-09-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320, A321, 
A330, and A340 Series Airplanes Equipped With Westland-Sitec Fire 
Shutoff Valves Having Part Number EO3000

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 Industrie Model A320, A321, A330, and A340 
series airplanes, that requires repetitive testing of certain fire 
shutoff valves (FSOV) on the left and right engines, repetitive checks 
of certain parts on the

[[Page 19918]]

FSOV motors, and replacement of discrepant valves with modified valves. 
This amendment also requires modification of FSOV seals and motors as 
terminating action for the repetitive testing and check requirements. 
This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that FSOV's are not 
closing completely during maintenance testing. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid to the 
engine in the event of fire which, if not corrected, would fuel the 
fire, and lead to the loss of fluid in associated hydraulic systems, 
causing those systems to fail.

DATES: Effective May 29, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 29, 1997.

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: 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: 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 Industrie Model 
A320, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on November 29, 1996 (61 FR 60650). That action 
proposed to require repetitive testing of certain fire shutoff valves 
(FSOV) on the left and right engines, repetitive checks of certain 
parts on the FSOV motors, and replacement of discrepant valves with 
modified valves. That action also proposed to require modification of 
FSOV seals and motors as terminating action for the repetitive testing 
and check requirements.
    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 supports the proposed 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: Model A320 and A321 Series Airplanes

    The FAA estimates that 102 Airbus Model A320 and A321 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 2 hours to accomplish the required 
testing and check of all FSOV's and motors, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
actions required by this AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is 
estimated to be $12,240, or $120 per airplane, per testing and check.
    It will take approximately 2 hours to accomplish the required 
modification of the FSOV seal, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no charge. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by 
this AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes would be $12,240, or $120 
per airplane.
    It will take approximately 4 hours to accomplish the required 
modification of the FSOV motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no 
charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
required by this AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes will be 
$24,480, or $240 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 9 hours to accomplish the required 
installation of modified FSOV's and motor, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
action required by this AD on U.S. operators of Model A320 and A321 
series airplanes is estimated to be $55,080, or $540 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Cost Impact: Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

    There are currently no Model A330 or Model A340 series airplanes on 
the U.S. Register. All of these 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 it necessary to include these airplanes in 
the applicability of this rule in order to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in the event that any of the subject airplanes 
are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should an affected Model A330 or Model A340 series airplane be 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would take 
approximately 4 hours to accomplish the required testing and check of 
all FSOV's and motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of these actions required by 
this AD is estimated to be $240 per airplane, per testing and check.
    It would take approximately 4 hours to accomplish the required 
modification of FSOV seals, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no 
charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these modifications 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240 per 
airplane.
    It would take approximately 8 hours to accomplish the required 
modification of the FSOV motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no 
charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these modifications 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480 per 
airplane.
    It would take approximately 19 hours to accomplish the required 
installation of modified FSOV's and motors, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 
action required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,140 
per airplane.

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

[[Page 19919]]

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:

097-09-04 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10000. Docket 96-NM-204-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320, A321, A330 and A340 series airplanes; 
equipped with Westland-Sitec fire shutoff valves having part number 
E03000; 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 (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 prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid to the engine in the 
event of a fire, which would fuel the fire and lead to the loss of 
fluid in associated hydraulic systems, causing those systems to 
fail, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a functional test (for A320 and A321 series airplanes) or an 
operational test (for A330 and A340 series airplanes) on each fire 
shutoff valve (FSOV) for the left and right engines and immediately 
follow this test with a check to determine whether the FSOV motor is 
properly operating, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex 
(AOT) 29-15, dated May 30, 1995.
    (1) If a FSOV passes the applicable test and check, repeat the 
procedures required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 18 months.
    (2) If a FSOV fails the applicable test or check, prior to 
further flight, replace the discrepant FSOV with a FSOV modified in 
accordance with the service bulletins specified in paragraphs 
(a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), and (a)(2)(iii), as applicable. Modification 
of the seal and the electrical actuator for the motor are to be 
performed at the same time. The accomplishment of these 
modifications constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
testing and checks of this FSOV required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD.
    (i) For Airbus A320 and A321 series airplanes: Airbus Service 
Bulletin
    A320-29-1071, dated September 21, 1995.
    (ii) For Airbus A330 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-29-3018, dated January 17, 1996.
    (iii) For Airbus A340 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin 
A340-29-4018, dated January 17, 1996.

    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins cited in paragraphs 
(a)(2)(i)-(iii) of this AD refer to Westland-Sitec Service Bulletin 
No. E030WS-29-1, dated January 12, 1996 (valve modification), and 
Westland-Sitec Service Bulletin No. A06AWS-24-1, dated January 12, 
1996 (electrical actuator modification), as additional sources of 
procedural information.

    (b) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical actuator for the motor and the seal of each FSOV, in 
accordance with the service bulletins specified in paragraphs 
(b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD, as applicable. The 
accomplishment of these modifications constitutes terminating action 
for the repetitive tests and checks required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD and, thereafter, no further action is required.
    (1) For Airbus A320 and A321 series airplanes: Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-29-1071, dated September 21, 1995.
    (2) For Airbus A330 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-29-3018, dated January 17, 1996.
    (3) For Airbus A340 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin 
A340-29-4018, dated January 17, 1996.
    (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, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The tests shall be done in accordance with Airbus AOT 29-15, 
dated May 30, 1995. The replacement and modifications shall be done 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1071, dated 
September 21, 1995; Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29-3018, dated 
January 17, 1996; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-4018, dated 
January 17, 1996; 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 29, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 16, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-10320 Filed 4-23-97; 8:45 am]
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