[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55413-55414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26275]



[[Page 55413]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-08-AD; Amendment 39-11366; AD 99-21-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310-300 and A300-600R 
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 A310-300 and A300-600R series 
airplanes, that requires 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 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 
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: Effective November 17, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 17, 1999.

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, Rules 
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 (425) 
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 A310-300 and 
A300-600R series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
July 20, 1999 (64 FR 38848). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request To Determine Parts Availability

    One commenter supports the intent of the proposal, assuming that 
the necessary parts are available from the manufacturer. The FAA notes 
that the Airbus service bulletins cited as the appropriate sources of 
service information in the proposed AD state that kits will be 
available 150 to 180 days after request by an operator. The FAA is not 
aware of any difficulties with availability of the kits necessary to 
accomplish the actions required by this AD. No change is made to the 
final rule.

New Service Information

    Since the issuance of the proposed AD, the manufacturer has issued 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6035, Revision 03, dated August 5, 
1999. This revision of the service bulletin adds references and 
clarifies certain procedures and illustrations. The FAA has determined 
that the changes do not add any additional burden to operators. 
Paragraph (c) of this AD has been revised to cite Revision 03 of the 
service bulletin as the appropriate source of service information. For 
operators that may have previously accomplished the required actions in 
accordance with Revision 1 or 2 of the service bulletin, ``NOTE 2'' of 
the final rule has been revised to give credit for those actions. In 
addition, the applicability has been revised to referenced Revision 03 
of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 102 Model A310-300 and A300-600R series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $5,710. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the required 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 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:

[[Page 55414]]

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:

99-21-21  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11366. 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 03, dated August 5, 1999) 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 03, dated August 5, 1999.

    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 A300-28-6035, Revision 1, dated 
December 4, 1992, or Revision 2, dated March 17, 1993, 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2058, Revision 2, dated February 22, 1995; and 
Airbus Service A300-28-6035, Revision 03, dated August 5, 1999; as 
applicable. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-354-256(B), dated September 9, 1998.

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26275 Filed 10-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P