[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40811-40812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20432]
[[Page 40811]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-80-AD; Amendment 39-10685; AD 98-16-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600
Series Airplanes
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 Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series
airplanes, that requires a one-time 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 amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
The actions specified by this 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: Effective September 4, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of Federal Register as of
September 4, 1998.
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, Rule
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:
Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington, 98055-4056; telephone (415) 227-2110; fax (425) 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 Model A300, A310,
and A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
April 6, 1998 (63 FR 16716). That action proposed to require a one-time
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.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Two commenters express no objection to the proposed rule. However,
both request that the applicability of the proposed AD be revised to
expressly identify affected part numbers of the fire shut-off valves,
rather than referencing information contained in Airbus All Operator
Telex (AOT) 29-22, dated November 24, 1997. The commenters state that
such a change will prevent confusion by removing any ambiguity as to
which airplanes are affected by this proposed AD. The FAA concurs that
the applicability can be revised to specify those airplanes having an
affected part number installed. Because the referenced AOT provides
this same information, there is no change in the airplanes that would
be affected by the proposed AD. The final rule has been revised
accordingly.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 103 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required test, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the 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 the 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 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 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:
98-16-09 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10685. Docket 98-NM-80-AD.
Applicability: Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes;
on which any fire shut-off valve (FSOV) having part number (P/N)
B38LC37XX or B38LC50XX (where XX is 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, or 10) is
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
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
[[Page 40812]]
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 would result in
failure of the engine fire shut-off system, and consequently
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
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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All
Operator Telex (AOT) 29-22, dated November 24, 1997. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-384-241(B)R1, dated January 14, 1998.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on September 4, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20432 Filed 7-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U