[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 213-215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-130-AD; Amendment 39-11488; AD 99-27-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-
600R Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-600R 
series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time visual inspection 
for damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters, and 
replacement of damaged fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters with new or 
serviceable parts. This amendment also requires repetitive visual 
inspections of the fuel pumps and repetitive eddy current inspections 
of the fuel pump canisters, and replacement of damaged fuel pumps and 
fuel pump canisters with new or serviceable parts. This amendment also 
reduces the applicability to include only those airplanes that have a 
trim tank system installed. 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 detect damage to the fuel pump and fuel pump canister, which could 
result in loss of flame trap capability and could provide a fuel 
ignition source in the center fuel tank.

DATES: Effective February 8, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of Airbus Alert Service Bulletin 
A300-28A6061, dated February 19, 1999, as listed in the regulations, is 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 8, 
2000.
    The incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 
28-

[[Page 214]]

09, dated November 28, 1998, as listed in the regulations, was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 28, 
1998 (63 FR 70639, December 22, 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, 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) by superseding AD 98-25-53, 
amendment 39-10956 (63 FR 70639, December 22, 1998), which is 
applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-600R series 
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on October 27, 1999 
(64 FR 57800). The action proposed to require a one-time visual 
inspection for damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump 
canisters, and replacement of damaged fuel pumps and fuel pump 
canisters with new or serviceable parts. The action also proposed to 
require repetitive visual inspections of the fuel pumps and repetitive 
eddy current inspections of the fuel pump canisters, and replacement of 
damaged fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters with new or serviceable 
parts. The action also proposed to reduce the applicability to include 
only those airplanes that have a trim tank system installed.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 67 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The inspection that is currently required by AD 98-25-53, and 
retained in this AD, takes approximately 2 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required actions on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $120 per airplane.
    The new inspections that are required in this AD action will take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this requirement of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $8,040, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 removing amendment 39-10956 (63 FR 
70639, December 22, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-11488, to read as follows:
99-27-07 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11488. Docket 99-NM-130-AD. 
Supersedes AD 98-25-53, Amendment 39-10956.

    Applicability: Model A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-600R series 
airplanes, on which Airbus Modification 4801 (trim tank system) 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 (d) 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 detect damage to the fuel pump and fuel pump canister, which 
could result in loss of flame trap capability and could provide a 
fuel ignition source in the center fuel tank, accomplish the 
following:

Inspections

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total hours time-in-
service, or within 250 hours time-in-service after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual 
inspection for damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump 
canisters, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 28-
09, dated November 28, 1998. Repeat the inspection prior to the 
accumulation of 12,000 total hours time-in-service, or within 250 
hours time-in-service after accomplishment of the initial 
inspection, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, repeat the 
inspection at intervals not to exceed 250 hours time-in-service, 
until accomplishment of the initial inspection required by paragraph 
(b) of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system,installation, or assembly to detect 
damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by

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the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, 
etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures 
may be required.''

    (b) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (b)(1), 
(b)(2), or (b)(3) of this AD: Perform a detailed visual inspection 
to detect damage of the center tank fuel pumps and perform an eddy 
current inspection to detect damage of the fuel pump canisters, in 
accordance with Airbus Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A6061, dated 
February 19, 1999. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles. Accomplishment of the initial 
inspections required by this paragraph constitutes terminating 
action for the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 11,000 or more total 
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect within 
300 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated 8,500 or more total 
flight cycles, but fewer than 11,000 total flight cycles, as of the 
effective date of this AD: Inspect within 750 flight cycles after 
the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes that have accumulated fewer than 8,500 total 
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Inspect prior to 
the accumulation of 7,000 flight cycles, or within 1,500 flight 
cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (c) If any damage is detected during any inspection required by 
this AD, prior to further flight, replace the damaged fuel pump or 
fuel pump canister with a new or serviceable part in accordance with 
Airbus Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A6061, dated February 19, 1999.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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

    (e) 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

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operators Telex (AOT) 28-09, dated November 28, 1998; and Airbus 
Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A6061, dated February 19, 1999.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Alert Service 
Bulletin A300-28A6061, dated February 19, 1999, is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex 
(AOT) 28-09, dated November 28, 1998, was approved previously by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of December 28, 1998 (63 FR 
70639, December 22, 1998).
    (3) 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 1999-149-280(B), dated April 7, 1999.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6 Filed 1-3-00; 8:45 am]
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