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]

RIN 2120-AA64

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

600R Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of 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 action also would

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. This action also would reduce the applicability to include only

those airplanes that have a trim tank system installed. This proposal

is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness

information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions

specified by the proposed 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: Comments must be received by November 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-130-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

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: 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:

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 notice may be changed in light of

the comments received.

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 notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 99-NM-130-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. 99-NM-130-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

On December 15, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-25-53, amendment 39-

10956 (63 FR 70639, December 22, 1998), applicable to all Airbus Model

A300 B4-600R and A300 F4-600R series airplanes, 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. That

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action was prompted by reports of damaged center tank fuel pump

canisters and damaged center tank fuel pumps. The requirements of 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.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since the issuance of that AD, airplane inspections have revealed

additional cases of damaged center tank fuel pump canisters and pumps.

The purpose of this proposed AD is to render mandatory a program of

repetitive inspections in order to avoid the existence of ignition

sources in the center tank caused by damage to the center tank fuel

pump canisters and pumps.

In the preamble to AD 98-25-53, the FAA indicated that the actions

required by that AD were considered ``interim action'' and that further

rulemaking action was being considered. The FAA now has determined that

further rulemaking action is indeed necessary, and this proposed AD

follows from that determination.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A6061, dated

February 19, 1999, which describes procedures for 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 Direction

Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness

authority for France, classified this alert service bulletin as

mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 1999-149-280(B),

dated April 7, 1999, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of

these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

Sec. 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 supersede AD 98-25-53 to

continue 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 proposed AD also would 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.

Reduced Applicability of the NPRM

The proposed AD would remove airplanes from the applicability of AD

98-25-53 to include only those airplanes that have a trim tank

installed. This revised applicability corresponds to the applicability

specified in the French airworthiness directive.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 67 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be

affected by this proposed AD.

The inspection that is currently required by AD 98-25-53, and

retained in this proposed 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 proposed in this AD action would 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 proposed 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 proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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 removing amendment 39-10956 (63 FR

70639, December 22, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD), to read as follows:

Airbus Industrie: 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

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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 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

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.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French

airworthiness directive 1999-149-280(B), dated April 7, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 1999.

N. B. Martenson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-28083 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]

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