[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70473-70475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31182]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-80-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600 and A300 C4-
600 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 A300 B4-600 
and A300 C4-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-
time inspection to detect damage of the pump diffuser guide slots 
(bayonet) of the center tank fuel pumps, the pump diffuser housings, 
and the pump canisters; repetitive inspections to detect damage of the 
fuel pumps and the fuel pump canisters; and corrective action, if 
necessary. This action is necessary to detect and correct damage of the 
center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters, which could result in 
separation of a pump from its electrical motor housing, loss of flame 
trap capability, and a possible fuel ignition source in the center fuel 
tank. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 20, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-80-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2003-NM-80-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2003-NM-80-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. 2003-NM-80-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 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 A300 B4-600 and 
A300 C4-600 series airplanes. The DGAC previously advised the FAA that 
damaged center tank fuel pumps and pump canisters had been found on 
Airbus Model A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-600R series airplanes. 
Investigation revealed that the pump canister legs had cracked due to 
fatigue. In one instance, this led to the separation of the upper part 
of the pump canister from its lower part attached at the center tank 
bottom wall. Fatigue cracking was also found at the base of the fuel 
pump diffuser housing. The DGAC has since advised the FAA that fuel 
tank pump canisters have also been found broken on Model A300 B4-600 
and A300 C4-600 series airplanes, which are consequently subject to the 
unsafe condition identified in this proposed AD: separation of a fuel 
pump from its electrical motor housing, loss of flame trap capability, 
and a possible fuel ignition source in the center fuel tank.

Related Rulemaking

    On December 23, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-27-07, amendment 39-
11488 (65 FR 213, January 4, 2000), for all Model A300 B4-600R and A300 
F4-600R series airplanes. That AD requires a one-time inspection for 
damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters, 
repetitive inspections of the fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters, and 
replacement of damaged parts with

[[Page 70474]]

new or serviceable parts. The actions specified by that 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.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) A300-600-28A6075, dated 
February 20, 2003, which describes procedures for the following:
    [sbull] A one-time detailed inspection to detect cracks, fretting, 
and other damage of the lower part of the pump diffuser guide slots 
(bayonet) of the center tank fuel pumps and the bottom of the pump 
diffuser housings; and replacement of any damaged pump and its 
corresponding fuel pump canister with new parts.
    [sbull] A one-time detailed inspection to detect cracks of the 
center tank fuel pump canisters, and replacement of any cracked fuel 
pump canister and its corresponding fuel pump with new parts.
    [sbull] Repetitive detailed inspections to detect damage of the 
fuel pumps, and replacement of any damaged pump with a new part.
    [sbull] Repetitive nondestructive test (NDT) inspections to detect 
damage of the fuel pump canisters, and replacement of any damaged 
canister with a new part. Replacement of a canister would reset the 
inspection schedule for the next inspection to 7,000 flight cycles, to 
be repeated within 1,500-flight-cycle intervals. Replacement of a 
canister eliminates the need to reinspect the fuel pumps.
    [sbull] A report of the findings for each inspection.
    The DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued French 
telegraphic airworthiness directive 2003-085 (B), dated February 21, 
2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.
    Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075 refers to Airbus Alert Service Bulletin 
A300-28A6061, Revision 04, dated August 1, 2002, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishment of the NDT 
inspections.

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 and in accordance with the AOT described 
previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between Proposed AD 
and AOT/French Airworthiness Directive.'' This proposed AD would also 
require that operators report their findings to the manufacturer.

Differences Between Proposed AD and AOT/French Airworthiness Directive

    The DGAC issued French airworthiness directive 2003-085 (B) as 
``telegraphic.'' The FAA agrees that the unsafe condition could warrant 
immediate attention but finds it unnecessary to immediately adopt this 
rule. At the time of issuance, this proposed AD would affect only two 
airplanes. The FAA has been advised that the one-time detailed 
inspections specified in paragraph (a) of this proposed AD (with a 
proposed compliance time of 15 days) have been accomplished for both 
affected airplanes. Furthermore, the proposed compliance time for the 
repetitive inspections is long enough to provide notice and the 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed rule.
    The applicability/effectivity for the French airworthiness 
directive/AOT includes A300 B4-600 and A300 C4-600 series airplanes, 
which are identified as ``A300-600 aircraft without a fuel trim tank 
system (pre-production Mod 4801).'' The only Model A300 C4-600 airplane 
listed on the type certificate data sheet is the A300 C4-605 Variant F. 
Therefore, the applicability of this proposed AD is Model A300 B4-601, 
A300 B4-603, A300 B4-620, and A300 C4-605 Variant F series airplanes; 
except those equipped with a fuel trim tank system.
    The French airworthiness directive excludes certain airplanes 
(serial numbers 546, 553, 618, and 623) that ``have already been 
inspected per Airbus Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A6061.'' However, 
that inspection must be repeated at regular intervals. The FAA finds 
that those airplanes are still subject to the identified unsafe 
condition and should be included in the applicability of this proposed 
AD.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports 
that would be required by this proposed AD would enable the 
manufacturer to obtain better insight into the nature, cause, and 
extent of the fuel pump damage, and eventually to develop final action 
to address the unsafe condition. Once final action has been identified, 
the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs). 
This proposed AD does not include this material; however, the office 
authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in paragraph (d).

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. The detailed inspections would take about 
2 work hours per airplane, and the NDT inspection would take about 5 
work hours per airplane, per inspection cycle. The average labor rate 
is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost per airplane is 
estimated to be $130 for the detailed inspections and $325 per NDT 
inspection.
    The FAA has been advised that the proposed one-time detailed 
inspections have already been accomplished for both of the U.S.-
registered airplanes. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of 
this proposed AD on U.S. operators would be only $325 per airplane, per 
each of the repetitive NDT inspections.

[[Page 70475]]

    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, plan, or perform other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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: Docket 2003-NM-80-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B4-601, A300 B4-603, A300 B4-620, and 
A300 C4-605 Variant F series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; except those airplanes equipped with a fuel trim tank 
system (Airbus Modification 4801).
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct damage of the center tank fuel pumps and 
fuel pump canisters, which could result in separation of a pump from 
its electrical motor housing, loss of flame trap capability, and a 
possible fuel ignition source in the center fuel tank, accomplish 
the following:

Detailed Inspections

    (a) Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD (unless 
accomplished previously), perform detailed inspections as specified 
in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with 
paragraph 4.2 of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A300-600-28A6075, 
dated February 20, 2003.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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 the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

    (1) Inspect the lower part of the pump diffuser guide slots 
(bayonet) of the center tank fuel pumps and the bottom of the pump 
diffuser housings to detect cracks, fretting, and other damage. 
Replace any damaged pump and the corresponding fuel pump canister 
with new parts before further flight in accordance with the AOT.
    (2) Inspect the center tank fuel pump canisters to detect 
cracks. Replace any cracked fuel pump canister and the corresponding 
fuel pump with new parts before further flight in accordance with 
the AOT.

Repetitive Inspections

    (b) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform a detailed inspection of the fuel pumps, and an eddy current 
inspection of the fuel pump canisters, to detect damage. Do the 
inspections in accordance with paragraph 4.3 of Airbus AOT A300-600-
28A6075, dated February 20, 2003. Replace any damaged part with a 
new part before further flight in accordance with the AOT. Repeat 
the inspections at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles.
    (c) Within 7,000 flight cycles after canister replacement as 
specified in paragraph (b) of this AD: Perform an eddy current 
inspection of the fuel pump canisters to detect damage in accordance 
with Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075, dated February 20, 2003. Replace 
any damaged part with a new part before further flight in accordance 
with the AOT. Thereafter repeat the inspection at intervals not to 
exceed 1,500 flight cycles.

    Note 2: Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075 refers to Airbus Alert 
Service Bulletin A300-28A6061, Revision 04, dated August 1, 2002, as 
an additional source of service information for accomplishment of 
the eddy current inspection required by paragraph (b)(2) of this AD.

Reporting Requirement

    (d) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (d)(1) or 
(d)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of findings (both positive and 
negative) of each inspection required by this AD, in accordance with 
Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075, dated February 20, 2003. Information 
collection requirements contained in this AD have been approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 
have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) For any inspection accomplished after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after performing that 
inspection.
    (2) For any inspection accomplished before the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date 
of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
telegraphic airworthiness directive 2003-085 (B), dated February 21, 
2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 2003.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31182 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P