[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.

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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