[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40811-40812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20432]



[[Page 40811]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-80-AD; Amendment 39-10685; AD 98-16-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 
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 A300, A310, and A300-600 series 
airplanes, that requires a one-time operational test of the fire shut-
off valves (FSOV's) to determine if the FSOV's are functioning 
correctly, and replacement of failed parts with new or serviceable 
parts. 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 failure of the 
FSOV's to close, which could result in failure of the engine fire shut-
off system, and consequent inability to extinguish an engine fire.

DATES: Effective September 4, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of Federal Register as of 
September 4, 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, Rule 
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 (415) 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 A300, A310, 
and A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
April 6, 1998 (63 FR 16716). That action proposed to require a one-time 
operational test of the fire shut-off valves (FSOV's) to determine if 
the FSOV's are functioning correctly, and replacement of failed parts 
with new or serviceable parts.

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.
    Two commenters express no objection to the proposed rule. However, 
both request that the applicability of the proposed AD be revised to 
expressly identify affected part numbers of the fire shut-off valves, 
rather than referencing information contained in Airbus All Operator 
Telex (AOT) 29-22, dated November 24, 1997. The commenters state that 
such a change will prevent confusion by removing any ambiguity as to 
which airplanes are affected by this proposed AD. The FAA concurs that 
the applicability can be revised to specify those airplanes having an 
affected part number installed. Because the referenced AOT provides 
this same information, there is no change in the airplanes that would 
be affected by the proposed AD. The final rule has been revised 
accordingly.

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

    The FAA estimates that 103 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required test, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,180, or $60 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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:

98-16-09  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10685. Docket 98-NM-80-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes; 
on which any fire shut-off valve (FSOV) having part number (P/N) 
B38LC37XX or B38LC50XX (where XX is 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, or 10) is 
installed; 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

[[Page 40812]]

accordance with paragraph (b) 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 failure of the FSOV's to close, which would result in 
failure of the engine fire shut-off system, and consequently 
inability to extinguish an engine fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time operational test of the 4 fire shut-off valves 
(FSOV's) on the airplane, in accordance with Airbus All Operator 
Telex (AOT) 29-22, dated November 24, 1997. If any FSOV fails the 
test, prior to further flight, replace the failed FSOV or actuator, 
as applicable, with a new or serviceable FSOV or actuator, as 
applicable, in accordance with AOT 29-22.
    (b) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operator Telex (AOT) 29-22, dated November 24, 1997. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-384-241(B)R1, dated January 14, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 4, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20432 Filed 7-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U