[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 204-205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-222-AD; Amendment 39-11491; AD 99-27-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 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 A310 and A300-600 series airplanes,
that requires wiring modifications to the engine and auxiliary power
unit (APU) fire detection system. 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 the fire warning from terminating prematurely,
which could result in an unnoticed, uncontained engine/APU fire.
DATES: Effective February 8, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 8, 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 A310 and
A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
October 6, 1999 (64 FR 54248). That action proposed to require wiring
modifications to the engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fire
detection system.
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.
Support for the Proposal
One commenter supports the proposed AD.
Request to Change Material in the Electrical Cabling
One commenter provides data that suggest that the FAA should
require an alternative material for the electrical cabling to the
engine's core wiring harnesses for the engine/APU fire detection
system, rather than require a change to the control logic of the fire
detection system. The commenter states that the presently used wire
harness will degrade rapidly in the high temperature and vibration
environment. The commenter describes an alternative material that can
withstand these severe environments without degradation. Thus, it could
prevent damage to the wire harness in the event of an engine fire.
The FAA does not concur with the proposal. The Airbus service
bulletins referenced as the appropriate sources of service information
for accomplishment of the wiring modifications required by this AD
address the potential for the APU engine fire warning to terminate
prematurely; these service bulletins provide a design change to the
detection system control logic that would address the identified unsafe
condition. The FAA has determined that the installation of electrical
cabling made of an alternative material, though increasing the harness
resistance, wound not ensure a reliable fire detection system control
logic. Although a change in the cabling material may provide some long-
term benefit, it does not directly correct the unsafe condition
identified and addressed in this AD. No change to the AD is required.
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 as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 113 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $408
per airplane. Based on these
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figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$80,004, or $708 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 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
99-27-10 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11491. Docket 99-NM-222-AD.
Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes,
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus
Modifications 06267 and 07340 have been accomplished during
production.
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 (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 the fire warning from terminating prematurely, which
could result in an unnoticed, uncontained engine/auxiliary power
unit (APU) fire, accomplish the following:
Modifications
(a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the wiring modifications to the engine and APU fire
detection system in the relay box 282VU and the electronics rack
90VU in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2024,
Revision 04, dated March 5, 1999 (for Model A310 series airplanes);
or A300-26-6038, dated March 5, 1999, or Revision 1, dated September
8, 1999 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); as applicable.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The modifications shall be done in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A310-26-2024, Revision 04, dated March 5, 1999;
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-26-6038, dated March 5, 1999; or Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-26-6038, Revision 1, dated September 8, 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. 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 1999-238-286(B), dated June 2, 1999.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12 Filed 1-3-00; 8:45 am]
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