[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 204 (Friday, October 20, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63001-63003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26709]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-379-AD; Amendment 39-11934; AD 2000-21-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to include new flight 
operational procedures for the fuel system; repetitive inspections of 
the trim transfer fuel line in the vicinity of the aft pressure 
bulkhead located between frame (FR) 77 and FR86 to detect any 
discrepancy; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment also 
requires modification of the air release valve in the fuel trim tank 
transfer system, which constitutes terminating action for the 
requirements of this AD. 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 damage to the fuel trim transfer system, which could cause 
rupture of the trim transfer fuel line due to pressure build-up, and 
result in fuel leakage from that fuel line. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective November 24, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained

[[Page 63002]]

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 A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2000 
(65 FR 39825). That action proposed to require revising the Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM) to include new flight operational procedures for 
the fuel system; repetitive inspections of the trim transfer fuel line 
in the vicinity of the aft pressure bulkhead located between frame (FR) 
77 and FR86 to detect any discrepancy; and corrective actions, if 
necessary. That action also proposed to require modification of the air 
release valve in the fuel trim tank transfer system, which would 
constitute terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

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

    The FAA estimates that 3 Airbus Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. 
Registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will require approximately 1 work hour to accomplish the 
revision to the AFM, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on this figure, the cost impact of the AFM revision required by 
this AD action will be $180, or $60 per airplane.
    It will require approximately 2 work hours to accomplish each 
inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
this figure, the cost impact of each inspection required by this AD 
action will be $360, or $120 per airplane.
    It will require approximately 3 work hours to accomplish the 
installation of the additional pressure relief valves in the fuel trim 
tank, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on this 
figure, the cost impact of the installation required by this AD action 
will be $540, or $180 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-21-02  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11934. Docket 99-NM-379-
AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, except those airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 47293 has been installed in production, or on which the 
modification has been accomplished in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-28-3063 or A340-28-4079, both dated October 6, 1999; 
as applicable.

    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 prevent damage to the fuel trim transfer system, which could 
cause rupture of the trim transfer fuel line due to pressure build-
up, and result in fuel leakage from that line; accomplish the 
following:

Airplane Flight Manual Revision

    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations and Normal Procedures section of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the information specified in 
Airbus Temporary Revision (TR) 4.03.00/09, TR 4.03.00/10, and TR 
4.03.00/12 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or TR 4.03.00/20 (for 
Model A340 series airplanes); all dated July 23, 1999; as 
applicable.

    Note 2: The AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
may be accomplished by inserting a copy of the applicable TR into 
the applicable section of the AFM. When the temporary revisions 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD have been incorporated into the 
general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted 
into the AFM, provided that the information contained in the general 
revisions is identical to that specified in the temporary revisions.

Inspections

    (b) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, perform a detailed

[[Page 63003]]

visual inspection of the trim transfer fuel line in the vicinity of 
the aft pressure bulkhead located between frame (FR) 77 and FR86 to 
detect any discrepancy (including deformation, dents, kinks, and 
broken rivets of the fuel pipe and pipe clamp, support bracket, and 
shroud) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-28-3060, Revision 02 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes), or A340-28-4077, Revision 02 (for Model A340 series 
airplanes), both dated May 27, 1999, as applicable. Repeat the 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight hours 
until the modification required by paragraph (c) of this AD has been 
accomplished.

    Note 3: Inspections accomplished prior to the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with Operator Information Telex/Flight 
Operations Telex (OIT/FOT) 999.0142/98, dated December 23, 1998, are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the INITIAL detailed 
visual inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD.

Corrective Actions

    (1) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
accomplish applicable corrective actions [including replacement of 
any damaged components and deactivation of the trim fuel pipe 
isolation valve and auxiliary power unit (APU) isolation valve] in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions and Figure 2 of the 
applicable service bulletin.

Replacement of Pipe Shroud and Pipe

    (2) If the isolation valves of the trim fuel pipe and APU are 
deactivated in accordance with the FAA-approved Master Minimum 
Equipment List during accomplishment of the corrective actions 
required by paragraph (b)(1) of this AD: Within 10 days after 
deactivation, replace the pipe shroud and pipe, as applicable, and 
reactivate the valves, in accordance with the applicable service 
bulletin.

Terminating Action

    (c) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the air release valve (ARV) in the trim tank system (including 
cleaning and lubricating certain components, installing two 
additional pressure relief valves, and installing the adapter and 
ARV) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-28-3063 or A340-28-4079, both dated October 6, 
1999, as applicable. Accomplishment of such modification constitutes 
terminating action for the AFM revisions and the repetitive 
inspections required by this AD.

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 4: 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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Temporary Revision 4.03.00/09, dated July 23, 1999; Airbus Temporary 
Revision 4.03.00/10, dated July 23, 1999; Airbus Temporary Revision 
4.03.00/12, dated July 23, 1999; Airbus Temporary Revision 4.03.00/
20, dated July 23, 1999; Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3060, 
Revision 02, including Appendix 01, dated May 27, 1999; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-28-4077, Revision 02, including Appendix 01, 
dated May 27, 1999; Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3063, dated 
October 6, 1999; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-28-4079, dated 
October 6, 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 1999-046-091(B), Revision 4 (for Model A330 
series airplanes), and 1999-045-111(B), Revision 4 (for Model A340 
series airplanes), both dated December 15, 1999.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 24, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-26709 Filed 10-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P