[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38848-38850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18411]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-08-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310-300 and A300-600R 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A310-300 and 
A300-600R series airplanes. This proposal would require installation of 
a new cover assembly, associated new drain and vent pipework, and a new 
electrical harness on the trimmable horizontal stabilizer for the fuel 
tank water scavenge motive pump. 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 fuel leakage from the seal of the water scavenge 
pumps, which, if not corrected, could result in leakage of fuel into 
fuselage areas not designed for fuel, and consequent potential for fuel 
to be in contact with a fuel ignition source.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-08-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 99-NM-08-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. 99-NM-08-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 A310-300 and A300-600R 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received reports of 
excessive water and ice build-up in the fuel tanks, particularily in 
the trim tank and inner tanks. This was occurring increasingly during 
extended twin engine operations (ETOPS), when turn around times were 
short, and water drainage was ineffective due to frozen drain valves.
    In an attempt to reduce the need for manual sumping of the tanks, a 
water scavenge system was developed. The scavenge system is powered by 
a dedicated pump installed inside the tank, without canister type 
outside access. The pumps are located on the rear spar of the wing and 
on the horizontal stabilizer front spar in the trim tank. These pumps 
provide the motive force for new jet pumps installed in the tanks. The 
jet pumps will continually pick up water from the low points in the 
tanks, and therefore, prevent any ice build-up.
    It was found that the trim tank scavenge pump installations did not 
have a double seal between the tank and fuselage section 19. If the 
seal on this optionally installed pump does not perform its function, 
the possibility exists that without a second, normally redundant seal, 
leakage could occur into the fuselage section 19. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in leakage of fuel into fuselage areas not 
designed for fuel, and consequent potential for fuel to be in contact 
with a fuel ignition source.

[[Page 38849]]

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-28-6035, Revision 2, dated 
March 17, 1993 (for Model A300-600R series airplanes), and Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2058, Revision 2, dated February 22, 1995 (for Model 
A310-300 series airplanes), which describe procedures for installation 
of a new cover assembly, associated new drain and vent pipework, and a 
new electrical harness on the trimmable horizontal stabilizer for the 
fuel tank water scavenge motive pump. The DGAC classified these service 
bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 98-
354-256(B), dated September 9, 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 
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.

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 102 Model A310-300 and A300-600R series 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $5,710. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $704,820, or $6,910 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 99-NM-08-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310-300 and A300-600R series airplanes, 
except those airplanes on which Airbus Modification 10003 (reference 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2058, Revision 2, dated February 22, 
1995, or A300-28-6035, Revision 2, dated March 17, 1993) has been 
accomplished; 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 (e) 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 fuel leakage from the seal of the water scavenge 
pumps, which, if not corrected, could result in leakage of fuel into 
fuselage areas not designed for fuel, and consequent potential for 
fuel to be in contact with a fuel ignition source, accomplish the 
following:

Model A310-300 Series Airplanes: Modification

    (a) For Model A310-300 series airplanes on which a water 
scavenge pump has been installed prior to the effective date of this 
AD, in accordance with Airbus Modification 8679 (reference Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2049, dated February 6, 1992; Revision 1, 
dated June 17, 1992; Revision 2, dated June 3, 1994; or Revision 3, 
dated April 5, 1996): Within 18 months after the effective date of 
this AD, install a new cover assembly, associated new drain and vent 
pipework, and a new electrical harness, in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2058, Revision 2, dated February 22, 1995.
    (b) For Model A310-300 series airplanes on which a water 
scavenge pump is installed after the effective date of this AD, in 
accordance with Airbus Modification 8679 (reference Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2049, dated February 6, 1992; Revision 1, dated 
June 17, 1992; Revision 2, dated June 3, 1994; or Revision 3, dated 
April 5, 1996): The actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
must be accomplished simultaneously with Airbus Modification 8679.

Model A300-600R Series Airplanes: Modification

    (c) For Model A300-600R series airplanes on which a water 
scavenge pump has been installed prior to the effective date of this 
AD, in accordance with Airbus Modification 8679 (reference Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6028, dated February 6, 1992; Revision 1, 
dated June 5, 1992; Revision 2, dated October 14, 1993; Revision 3, 
dated April 5, 1996; or Revision 4, dated April 3, 1997): Within 18 
months after the effective date of this AD, install a new cover 
assembly, associated new drain and vent pipework, and a new 
electrical harness, in accordance with Airbus Service A300-28-6035, 
Revision 2, dated March 17, 1993.

    Note 2: Installation of a new cover assembly, associated new 
drain and vent pipework, and a new electrical harness in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin

[[Page 38850]]

A300-28-6035, Revision 1, dated December 4, 1992, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements specified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD.

    (d) For Model A300-600R series airplanes on which a water 
scavenge pump is installed after the effective date of this AD, in 
accordance with Airbus Modification 8679 (reference Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-28-6028, dated February 6, 1992; Revision 1, dated 
June 5, 1992; Revision 2, dated October 14, 1993; Revision 3, dated 
April 5, 1996; or Revision 4, dated April 3, 1997): The actions 
required by paragraph (c) of this AD must be accomplished 
simultaneously with Airbus Modification 8679.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (f) 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-354-256(B), dated September 9, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18411 Filed 7-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P