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

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.

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

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

[[Page 215]]

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]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U