[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16716-16718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8898]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-80-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 a one-time

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operational test of the fire shut-off valves (FSOV's) to determine if 
the FSOV's are functioning correctly, and replacement of failed parts 
with new or serviceable parts. 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 failure of the FSOV's to close, which could result 
in failure of the engine fire shut-off system, and consequent inability 
to extinguish an engine fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-80-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-80-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-80-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 fire 
shut-off valves (FSOV's) failing to close during scheduled operational 
tests of the engine fire shut-off system. Examination of one of the 
FSOV's that failed revealed that the rear bearing in the electric motor 
of the FSOV was degraded, which prevented the actuator from closing the 
FSOV. The cause of the degradation of the rear bearing of the electric 
motor is under investigation. Failure of the FSOV's to close, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the engine fire shut-off system, 
and consequent inability to extinguish an engine fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A300/A310/A300-600 All Operator Telex (AOT) 29-
22, dated November 24, 1997, which describes procedures for a one-time 
operational test of the four FSOV's installed on each airplane to 
determine if the FSOV's are functioning correctly. If any FSOV fails 
during the test, the AOT specifies that the failed FSOV or the actuator 
of the failed FSOV, as applicable, must be replaced with a new or 
serviceable part. The DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued 
French airworthiness directive 97-384-241(B)R1, dated January 14, 1998, 
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 
Sec. 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.

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 AOT described previously, except as 
discussed below.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and the All Operator Telex

    Operators should note that, although Airbus A300/A310/A300-600 All 
Operator Telex 29-22, dated November 24, 1997, allows a compliance time 
of 1,000 flight hours for testing FSOV's that have already been tested, 
the FAA has determined that an interval of 1,000 flight hours would not 
address the identified unsafe condition in a timely manner. The FAA 
considered the safety implications associated with failure of the fire 
shut-off valves and, in consonance with the DGAC, finds that a 
compliance time of 500 flight hours for performing the operational 
testing is warranted for all affected airplanes, in that it represents 
an appropriate interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to 
continue to operate without compromising safety.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 103 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, and that it would take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed test, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,180, 
or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of

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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-80-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes; 
as listed in Airbus All Operator Telex 29-22, dated November 24, 
1997; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 failure of the FSOV's to close, which could result in 
failure of the engine fire shut-off system, and consequent inability 
to extinguish an engine fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time operational test of the 4 fire shut-off valves 
(FSOV's) on the airplane, in accordance with Airbus All Operator 
Telex (AOT) 29-22, dated November 24, 1997. If any FSOV fails the 
test, prior to further flight, replace the failed FSOV or actuator, 
as applicable, with a new or serviceable FSOV or actuator, as 
applicable, in accordance with AOT 29-22.
    (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 
Secs. 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 97-384-241(B)R1, dated January 14, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8898 Filed 4-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U