[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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