[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14849-14850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8096]
[[Page 14849]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300, A310,
and A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement
of the non-return valves located in the engine fuel feed lines on the
outer fuel tank with new return valves; and, for certain airplanes,
replacement of the inner tank booster pump canisters with modified
canisters. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent sticking of non-return valves located in the fuel system, which
could result in an internal fuel transfer from the center tank to the
inner or outer tank. Such a transfer of fuel could lead to fuel
spillage overboard through the vent system, and consequent insufficient
fuel for the airplane to reach its flight destination.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 27, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-13-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 98-NM-13-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-13-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received reports of
sticking of the non-return valves located in the engine fuel feed line
on the outer wing fuel tank. A report also has been received of a
similar failure of the non-return valve located in the inner tank fuel
pump canister. The cause of the sticking of the non-return valves has
been attributed to excessive free play in the shutter of the valves.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in an internal fuel
transfer from the center tank to the inner or outer tank, which could
lead to fuel spillage overboard through the vent system, and consequent
insufficient fuel to reach the flight destination.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the following service bulletins, which describe
procedures for replacement of the non-return valves located in the
engine fuel feed lines on the outer fuel tank with new non-return
valves:
A300-28-0063, Revision 1, dated January 15, 1997 (for
Model A300 series airplanes)
A310-28-2053, Revision 1, dated January 15, 1997 (for
Model A310 series airplanes)
A300-28-6031, Revision 1, dated January 15, 1997 (for
Model A300-600 series airplanes)
For certain airplanes, Airbus also has issued the following service
bulletins, which describe procedures for replacement of the inner fuel
tank booster pump canisters with modified canisters:
A300-28-0071, dated January 15, 1997 (for Model A300
series airplanes)
A310-28-2124, dated January 15, 1997 (for Model A310
series airplanes)
A300-28-6054, dated January 15, 1997 (for Model A300-600
series airplanes)
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directive 97-082-215(B), dated March 12, 1997, in order
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
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 21.29) 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.
[[Page 14850]]
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 103 Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
The FAA estimates that the proposed replacement of the non-return
valves would take approximately 66 work hours per airplane to
accomplish, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed
action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $407,880, or $3,960 per
airplane.
The FAA estimates that replacement of the inner fuel tank booster
pump canisters would take approximately 12 work hours per airplane to
accomplish, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed
action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $74,160, or $720 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.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 98-NM-13-AD.
Applicability: Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes;
on which Airbus Modification 8928 or 6094 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) 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 sticking of non-return valves located in the fuel
system, which could result in fuel spillage overboard and consequent
insufficient fuel for the airplane to reach its flight destination,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification 8928 has not been
installed: Replace the non-return valves located in the engine fuel
feed lines on the outer fuel tank with new non-return valves, in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0063, Revision 1
(for Model A300 series airplanes); Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-
2053, Revision 1 (for Model A310 series airplanes); or Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6031, Revision 1 (for Model A300-600 series
airplanes); all dated January 15, 1997; as applicable.
(2) For extended range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) airplanes,
or airplanes equipped with auxiliary tanks; on which Airbus
Modification 6094 has not been installed: Replace the inner tank
booster pump canisters with modified canisters, in accordance with
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0071 (for Model A300 series
airplanes); A310-28-2124 (for Model A310 series airplanes); or A300-
28-6054 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); all dated January 15,
1997; as applicable.
(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, 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.
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-082-215(B), dated March 12, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8096 Filed 3-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P