Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 106 / Thursday, June 1, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 34935

found that has extended in a diagonal

direction (regardless of the length); or if any

crack is found that would affect an existing

repair, prior to further flight, repair in

accordance with a method approved by the

Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office

(ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate;

or in accordance with data meeting the type

certification basis of the airplane approved

by a Boeing Designated Engineering

Representative who has been authorized by

the FAA to make such findings. For a repair

method to be approved by the Manager,

Seattle ACO, as required by this paragraph,

the approval letter must specifically

reference 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, Seattle

ACO. Operators shall submit their requests

through an appropriate FAA Principal

Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager,

Seattle ACO.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

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) Except as provided by paragraph (c)(2)

of this AD, the actions shall be done in

accordance with Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin 747–57A2298, Revision 1, dated

September 12, 1996; Boeing Service Bulletin

747–57A2298, Revision 2, dated October 2,

1997; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

57A2298, Revision 3, dated January 7, 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.

(1) The incorporation by reference of

Boeing Service Bulletin 747–57A2298,

Revision 2, dated October 2, 1997; and

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–57A2298,

Revision 3, dated January 7, 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

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–57A2298,

Revision 1, dated September 12, 1996; was

approved previously by the Director of the

Federal Register as of April 2, 1997 (62 FR

8613, February 26, 1997).

(3) Copies may be obtained from Boeing

Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707,

Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. 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.

Effective Date

(g) This amendment becomes effective on

July 6, 2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 23,

2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–13448 Filed 5–31–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–228–AD; Amendment

39–11756; AD 2000–11–08]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing

Model 747 and 767 Series Airplanes

Powered by General Electric Model

CF6–80C2 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes

an existing airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Boeing Model 747

and 767 series airplanes, that currently

requires revising the FAA-approved

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to

prohibit the use of certain fuels; and

either replacing an existing placard with

a new placard, or replacing all dribble

flow fuel nozzles (DFFN) with standard

fuel nozzles, which terminates the

requirements for the new placard and

AFM revision. This amendment

continues these requirements and adds

identical requirements applicable to

airplanes on which standard fuel

nozzles are not installed. This

amendment is prompted by a report of

an engine flameout due to use of JP–4

or Jet B fuel during certification testing

on an engine with DFFN’s installed.

The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent such engine

flameouts and consequent engine

shutdown.

DATES: Effective July 6, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of July 6, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of

certain other publications, as listed in

the regulations, was approved

previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of May 1, 1998 (63 FR 18817,

April 16, 1998).

ADDRESSES: The service information

referenced in this AD may be obtained

from Boeing Commercial Airplane

Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,

Washington 98124–2207. 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:

Dionne M. Krebs, Aerospace Engineer,

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140S, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2250;

fax (425) 227–1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A

proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39)

by superseding AD 98–08–23,

amendment 39–10472 (63 FR 18817,

April 16, 1998), which is applicable to

certain Boeing Model 747 and 767 series

airplanes, was published in the Federal

Register on December 15, 1999 (64 FR

69964). The action proposed to continue

the requirements of AD 98–08–23 and

add identical requirements applicable to

airplanes on which standard fuel

nozzles are not installed.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. Due

consideration has been given to the

comments received.

Request To Add New Part Number to

Table 1

Two commenters request that Table 1

of the proposed rule be revised to

include a certain General Electric (GE)

fuel flow nozzle. Table 1 of the

proposed rule lists GE fuel nozzles that

are acceptable for installation. The

commenters state that the GE fuel flow

nozzle having part number 9331M72P22

is a previously certified standard (i.e.,

non-dribble) fuel nozzle configuration

that should be included on this list. The

FAA concurs with the commenters’

request and has revised Table 1 of this

final rule accordingly.

Request To List Dribble Flow Fuel

Nozzle Part Numbers

One commenter requests that, in order

to preclude the need for future

rulemaking, the FAA revise the

proposed rule to list the part numbers

for the dribble flow fuel nozzles (DFFN),

rather than the acceptable part numbers,

in Table 1 of this AD or to reference the

GE service bulletin. The commenter

notes that the proposed rule references

acceptable GE fuel nozzle part numbers

34936 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 106 / Thursday, June 1, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

instead of DFFN part numbers to avoid

the need for future AD revisions as new

DFFN part numbers are approved.

However, the commenter points out

that, as GE improves its products, the

list of acceptable part numbers may

expand beyond those listed in Table 1

of the proposed rule. The commenter

also indicates that the wording of the

proposed rule is confusing because the

existing AD referenced DFFN part

numbers directly.

The FAA does not concur with the

commenter’s request. The FAA concurs

with the commenter’s statement that

listing standard fuel nozzle part

numbers in Table 1 of the proposed rule

is intended to avoid future AD revisions

as new DFFN part numbers are

approved. However, if the FAA was to

continue to list DFFN part numbers in

the proposed AD, the only way to

require a restriction on wide cut fuels

for Model 747 and 767 series airplanes

equipped with DFFN’s certified in the

future would be to supersede this AD.

The FAA finds it inappropriate to

impose the additional administrative

burden of a supersedure of this AD on

operators (as well as on the FAA itself).

Also, the FAA notes that standard fuel

nozzle part numbers certified in the

future (and, therefore, not listed in

Table 1 of the proposed rule) can be

approved as an alternative method of

compliance to this AD, in accordance

with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. No

change to the final rule is necessary in

this regard.

Request To Revise Applicable Service

Bulletins

One commenter requests that the

applicable service bulletins be revised

to include in the effectivity listing only

airplanes that are currently operating

with DFFN’s. The commenter notes that

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

11A2052, Revision 1, dated August 5,

1999, includes additional airplanes in

the effectivity listing. The commenter

states that these airplanes were added to

the effectivity listing to ensure that all

affected airplanes are modified in

accordance with the alert service

bulletin. The commenter also states that

the proposed rule does not consider

airplanes having documentation that

specifies compliant delivery

configurations. The commenter notes

that some operators that have airplanes

already in full compliance with this AD

will have to apply to the FAA for relief,

which will cost additional time and

effort for both the FAA and affected

operators. The commenter states that its

airplanes are not subject to the

requirements of the existing AD, but

under the proposed rule, it will have to

show compliance for airplanes that are

not affected.

The FAA acknowledges that Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin 747–11A2052,

Revision 1, adds airplanes to the

effectivity listing of that service bulletin.

However, the FAA does not concur with

the commenter that airplanes added to

the effectivity listing of Revision 1 of the

alert service bulletin are not subject to

the existing AD. AD 98–08–23 is

applicable to all Boeing Model 747 and

767 series airplanes powered by GE

Model CF6–80C2 series engines. The

airplanes added to the effectivity listing

of Revision 1 of the service bulletin

were added to make the service bulletin

consistent with the applicability of AD

98–08–23. The applicability of the

proposed rule is the same as that of the

existing AD. The FAA finds that no

change to the service bulletin is

necessary.

The FAA also does not concur with

the commenter that the proposed rule

does not provide for airplanes with

documentation that specifies compliant

delivery configurations. If an operator

has documentation provided by the

manufacturer upon delivery of a new

airplane that positively shows that the

airplane is equipped with fuel nozzles

having part numbers listed in Table 1 of

this AD, no further action is necessary,

provided that all of the other airplanes

in the operator’s fleet are equipped with

standard (non-DFFN) nozzles.

The FAA also does not concur with

the commenter that its airplanes are not

subject to the existing AD because the

operator’s fleet includes only airplanes

equipped with standard fuel flow

nozzles. As explained previously, AD

98–08–23 applies to all Boeing Model

747 and 767 series airplanes powered by

GE CF6–80C2 series engines. Therefore,

the Model 747 and 767 series airplanes

powered by General Electric CF6–80C2

series engines in the commenter’s fleet

are subject to the requirements of AD

98–08–23. The fact that the operator has

no airplane equipped with DFFN’s

having the affected part numbers means

that the operator is not required to

restrict the use of wide cut fuels.

However, if the operator introduces an

airplane with DFFN’s into its fleet, it

would be required to comply with the

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revision

and placarding requirements described

in AD 98–08–23 and retained in this

AD. No change to the final rule is

necessary in this regard.

Request To Make Paragraph (c)(1)

Consistent With AFM

One commenter requests that the FAA

revise paragraph (c)(1) of the proposed

rule to be consistent with the wording

used in the applicable Boeing AFM. The

commenter states that the Boeing AFM’s

do not add the sentence identified in

paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (c)(2) of the

proposed rule to paragraph 2 of the

Engine Fuel System section of the AFM.

Instead, the sentence is included in

paragraph 1 of the Engine Fuel System

section of the AFM. Therefore, the

commenter proposes moving the

sentence in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and

(c)(2) to the end of the paragraphs

provided in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and

(c)(1) of the proposed rule.

The FAA does not concur with the

commenter’s request. The proposed rule

carries over the requirements of AD 98–

08–23, including the changes to the text

of the AFM. Because the commenter’s

proposal does not substantively change

the intent of the proposed AFM

revision, the FAA considers such a

change to the proposed rule to be

unnecessary and potentially confusing.

The operator may choose to obtain

approval for its proposed wording by

requesting an alternative method of

compliance in accordance with

paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. No change

to the final rule is necessary in this

regard.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available

data, including the comments noted

above, the FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule with the change

previously described. The FAA has

determined that this change will neither

increase the economic burden on any

operator nor increase the scope of the

AD.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 430 Model

747 and 767 series airplanes of the

affected design in the worldwide fleet.

The FAA estimates that 115 airplanes of

U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.

The AFM revision that is currently

required by AD 98–08–23, and retained

in this AD, takes approximately 1 work

hour per airplane to accomplish, at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of this current requirement on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $6,900, or

$60 per airplane.

The placard replacement that is

currently required by AD 98–08–23, and

retained in this AD, takes approximately

1 work hour per airplane to accomplish,

at an average labor rate of $60 per work

hour. Required parts cost approximately

$12 per airplane. Based on these figures,

the cost impact of this current

requirement on U.S. operators is

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 106 / Thursday, June 1, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 34937

estimated to be $8,280, or $72 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.

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing amendment 39–10472 (63 FR

18817, April 16, 1998), and by adding

a new airworthiness directive (AD),

amendment 39–11756, to read as

follows:

2000–11–08 Boeing: Amendment 39–11756.

Docket 99–NM–228–AD. Supersedes AD

98–08–23, amendment 39–10472.

Applicability: Model 747 and 767 series

airplanes, powered by General Electric Model

CF6–80C2 series engines, certificated in any

category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

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 (g)(1) 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 engine flameouts due to the use

of JP–4 or Jet B fuel on certain engines with

dribble flow fuel nozzles (DFFN) installed,

and consequent engine shutdown,

accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 98–08–

23

Airplane Flight Manual Revision

(a) If a DFFN having General Electric part

number 9331M72P33, 9331M72P34, or

9331M72P41 is installed on any airplane in

a specific operator’s fleet, accomplish the

requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)

of this AD; in accordance with either Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin 747–11A2052, dated

September 11, 1997, or Revision 1, dated

August 5, 1999 (for Model 747 series

airplanes); or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin

767–11A0031, dated September 11, 1997, or

Revision 1, dated August 12, 1999 (for Model

767 series airplanes); as applicable.

(1) Within 14 days after May 1, 1998 (the

effective date of AD 98–08–23), all airplanes

in a specific operator’s fleet must revise

Section 1 of the Limitations Section of the

FAA-approved AFM to include the following

procedures. This may be accomplished by

inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

(i) Revise paragraph 1 of the Engine Fuel

System section to read as follows: ‘‘The fuel

designation is General Electric (GE)

Specification D50TF2, as revised. Fuel

conforming to commercial jet fuel

specification ASTM–D–1655, Jet A, and Jet

A–1 are authorized for unlimited use in this

engine. Fuels conforming to MIL–T–5624

grade JP–5 and MIL–T–83113 grade JP–8 are

acceptable alternatives. The engine will

operate satisfactorily with any of the

foregoing fuels or any mixture thereof.’’ And,

(ii) Add the following sentence to

paragraph 2 of the Engine Fuel System

section: ‘‘The use of Jet B and JP–4 fuel is

prohibited.’’

Modification

(2) Within 30 days after May 1, 1998, all

airplanes in a specific operator’s fleet must

accomplish the requirements of paragraph

(a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.

(i) Remove the existing placard on the door

of the fueling control panel and replace it

with a new placard that restricts the use of

JP–4 and Jet B fuels (wide cut fuels), in

accordance with the applicable alert service

bulletin. Or

(ii) Remove the DFFN’s, and replace them

with standard fuel nozzles, in accordance

with the applicable alert service bulletin.

When an operator’s entire fleet has had all

DFFN’s replaced with standard fuel nozzles,

the AFM revision required by paragraphs

(a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this AD may be

removed from the AFM, and the placard

required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this AD may

be removed from each airplane.

Spares

(b) As of May 1, 1998, no person shall

install any DFFN having General Electric part

number 9331M72P33, 9331M72P34, or

9331M72P41 on any airplane unless the

requirements specified by paragraphs

(a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(2)(i) of this AD have

been accomplished for the operator’s entire

fleet.

New Requirements of This AD

Airplane Flight Manual Revision

(c) If a fuel nozzle NOT having one of the

General Electric part numbers listed in Table

1 of this AD is installed on any airplane in

a specific operator’s fleet: Within 14 days

after the effective date of this AD, revise

Section 1 of the Limitations Section of the

FAA-approved AFM for each airplane in the

operator’s fleet to include the following

procedures. This may be accomplished by

inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

TABLE 1.—GENERAL ELECTRIC FUEL

NOZZLES ACCEPTABLE FOR INSTALLATION

Part Number

9331M72P14

9331M72P20

9331M72P21

9331M72P22

9331M72P23

9331M72P24

9331M72P27

9331M72P28

9331M72P39

9331M72P40

1968M49P03

1968M49P04

1968M49P05

1968M49P06

(1) Revise paragraph 1 of the Engine Fuel

System section to read as follows: ‘‘The fuel

designation is General Electric (GE)

Specification D50TF2, as revised. Fuel

conforming to commercial jet fuel

specification ASTM–D–1655, Jet A, and Jet

A–1 are authorized for unlimited use in this

engine. Fuels conforming to MIL–T–5624

grade JP–5 and MIL–T–83113 grade JP–8 are

acceptable alternatives. The engine will

operate satisfactorily with any of the

foregoing fuels or any mixture thereof.’’ And,

(2) Add the following sentence to

paragraph 2 of the Engine Fuel System

section: ‘‘The use of Jet B and JP–4 fuel is

prohibited.’’

34938 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 106 / Thursday, June 1, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

Modification

(d) If a fuel nozzle NOT having one of the

General Electric part numbers listed in Table

1 of this AD is installed on any airplane in

a specific operator’s fleet: Within 30 days

after the effective date of this AD, accomplish

the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2)

of this AD on each airplane in the operator’s

fleet, in accordance with either Boeing Alert

Service Bulletin 747–11A2052, Revision 1,

dated August 5, 1999 (for Model 747 series

airplanes); or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin

767–11A0031, Revision 1, dated August 12,

1999 (for Model 767 series airplanes); as

applicable.

(1) Remove the existing placard on the

door of the fueling control panel and replace

it with a new placard that restricts the use

of JP–4 and Jet B fuels (wide cut fuels), in

accordance with the applicable alert service

bulletin. Or

(2) Remove any fuel nozzle having a part

number NOT listed in Table 1 of this AD, and

replace it with a fuel nozzle having a part

number listed in Table 1 of this AD, in

accordance with the applicable alert service

bulletin. When an operator’s entire fleet has

only fuel nozzles having a part number listed

in Table 1 of this AD installed, the AFM

revision required by paragraph (c) of this AD

may be removed from the AFM, and the

placard required by paragraph (d)(1) of this

AD may be removed from each airplane.

(e) Except as provided by paragraphs (b)

and (f) of this AD, if all fuel nozzles installed

on any airplane in a specific operator’s fleet

have one of the General Electric part numbers

listed in Table 1 of this AD, no further action

is required by this AD.

Spares

(f) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install any fuel nozzle NOT

having one of the General Electric part

numbers listed in Table 1 of this AD on any

airplane unless the requirements specified by

paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (d)(1) of this AD

have been accomplished for the operator’s

entire fleet.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(g)(1) 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, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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, Seattle ACO.

(2) Alternative methods of compliance,

approved previously in accordance with AD

98–08–23, amendment 39–10472, are

approved as alternative methods of

compliance with this AD.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(h) 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

(i) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of

this AD, the actions shall be done in

accordance with Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin 747–11A2052, dated September 11,

1997, or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

11A2052, Revision 1, dated August 5, 1999

(for Model 747 series airplanes); or Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin 767–11A0031, dated

September 11, 1997, or Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin 767–11A0031, Revision 1, dated

August 12, 1999 (for Model 767 series

airplanes); as applicable.

(1) The incorporation by reference of

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–11A2052,

Revision 1, dated August 5, 1999; and Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin 767–11A0031,

Revision 1, dated August 12, 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

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–11A2052,

dated September 11, 1997; and Boeing Alert

Service Bulletin 767–11A0031, dated

September 11, 1997; was approved

previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of May 1, 1998 (63 FR 18817,

April 16, 1998).

(3) Copies may be obtained from Boeing

Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707,

Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. 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.

Effective Date

(j) This amendment becomes effective on

July 6, 2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 23,

2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–13447 Filed 5–31–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–343–AD; Amendment

39–11757; AD 2000–11–09]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Airbus Model

A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes,

that requires repetitive inspections of

the sliding tube subassembly on the

main landing gear (MLG) to detect

cracks, and replacement of a cracked

subassembly with a new subassembly.

This amendment also eventually

requires a more extensive, one-time

inspection of the same area and

corrective actions, if necessary; which

terminates the repetitive inspections.

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 cracking of the MLG

sliding tube subassembly, which could

result in collapse of the MLG.

DATES: Effective July 6, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of July 6, 2000.

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) to

include an airworthiness directive (AD)

that is applicable to certain Airbus

Model A319, A320, and A321 series

airplanes was published in the Federal

Register on February 15, 2000 (65 FR

7465). That action proposed to require

repetitive inspections of the sliding tube

subassembly on the main landing gear

(MLG) to detect cracks, and replacement

of a cracked subassembly with a new

subassembly. That action also proposed

to eventually require a more extensive,

one-time inspection of the same area

and corrective actions, if necessary;

which would terminate the repetitive

inspections.

Comments Received

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. Due