[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70068-70069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33539]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-301-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600
series airplanes. This proposal would require removal of the fuel level
sensing amplifier (FLSA) of the trim tank system, modification of the
polarization pin code in the electronics bay, and installation of a
new, improved FLSA. 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
prevent continuous aft transfer of fuel due to the FLSA not supplying
electrical power to the trim tank overflow sensor, which could result
in potential loss of fuel during flight.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-301-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 98-NM-301-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. 98-NM-301-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes.
The DGAC advises that, on airplanes equipped with a trim tank system
and with a certain fuel level sensing amplifier (FLSA), electrical
power is not being supplied to the trim tank overflow sensor during
flight. This condition is caused by the existing design of the FLSA,
and could result in fuel loss from the trim tank during flight. Such
fuel loss could occur if all of the following conditions are present:
Failure of the high-level sensor or associated circuits of
the trim tank while the trim tank is empty; and
Balance of the airplane such that the center of gravity
with no fuel on board is 24 percent mean aerodynamic chord of the wing
or further forward of that location; and
Fuel weight of the airplane before departure is greater
than 20,000 kilograms (44,000 pounds), which is the minimum amount of
fuel required to fill the trim tank.
Lack of electrical power to the trim tank overflow sensor,
if not corrected, could result in continuous aft transfer of fuel, and
potential loss of fuel during flight.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6055,
Revision 01, dated July 24, 1998, which describes procedures for
removal of the FLSA of the trim tank system, modification of the
polarization pin code in the electronics bay, and installation of a
new, improved FLSA. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 98-249-252(B),
dated July 1, 1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 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 require accomplishment of
the actions specified
[[Page 70069]]
in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 61 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the actions proposed by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,980, or $180 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 98-NM-301-AD.
Applicability: Model A300-600 series airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 4801 was accomplished during production and on which
Airbus Modification 10778 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
31-6051, dated June 28, 1996) has been accomplished; except those
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 11683 (reference Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6055, dated January 28, 1997, and Revision
01, dated July 24, 1998) 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 prevent continuous aft transfer of fuel due to the fuel level
sensing amplifier (FLSA) not supplying electrical power to the trim
tank overflow sensor, which could result in potential loss of fuel
during flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, within 2
months after the effective date of this AD, remove the FLSA of the
trim tank system, modify the polarization pin code in the
electronics bay, and install a new, improved FLSA, in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6055, Revision 01, dated July
24, 1998.
Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (a)
of this AD, prior to the effective date of this AD, in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6055 dated January 28, 1997, is
considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions
specified in this AD.
(b) For airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-31-6051,
dated June 28, 1996, is accomplished after the effective date of
this AD: Concurrent with the accomplishment of Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-31-6051, accomplish the actions required by paragraph
(a) of this AD, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-
6055, Revision 01, dated July 24, 1998.
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a FLSA having part number 722-295-2, on any airplane.
(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.
(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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 98-249-252(B), dated July 1, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-33539 Filed 12-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
