Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600 and A300 C4-600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600 and A300 C4-600 series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to detect damage of the pump diffuser guide slots (bayonet) of the center tank fuel pumps, the pump diffuser housings, and the pump canisters; repetitive inspections to detect damage of the fuel pumps and the fuel pump canisters; and corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary to detect and correct damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters, which could result in separation of a pump from its electrical motor housing, loss of flame trap capability, and a possible fuel ignition source in the center fuel tank. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective May 19, 2004.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Airbus, 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:

Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2797; 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 B4-600 and A300 C4-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2003 (68 FR 70473). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to detect damage of the pump diffuser guide slots (bayonet) of the center tank fuel pumps, the pump diffuser housings, and the pump canisters; repetitive inspections to detect damage of the fuel pumps and the fuel pump canisters; and corrective action, if necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. The detailed inspections will take about 2 work hours per airplane, and the NDT inspection will take about 5 work hours per airplane, per inspection cycle. The average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost per airplane is estimated to be $130 for the detailed inspections and $325 per NDT inspection.

The FAA has been advised that the one-time detailed inspections have already been accomplished for both of the U.S.-registered airplanes. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this AD on U.S. is estimated to be only $325 per airplane, per each of the repetitive NDT inspections.

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. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

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.

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2004-08-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-13572. Docket 2003-NM-80-AD.

Applicability: Model A300 B4-601, A300 B4-603, A300 B4-620, and A300 C4-605 Variant F series airplanes; certificated in any category; except those airplanes equipped with a fuel trim tank system (Airbus Modification 4801).

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To detect and correct damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters, which could result in separation of a pump from its electrical motor housing, loss of flame trap capability, and a possible fuel ignition source in the center fuel tank, accomplish the following:

Detailed Inspections

(a) Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD (unless accomplished previously), perform detailed inspections as specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with paragraph 4.2 of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A300-600-28A6075, dated February 20, 2003.

Note 1:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.”

(1) Inspect the lower part of the pump diffuser guide slots (bayonet) of the center tank fuel pumps and the bottom of the pump diffuser housings to detect cracks, fretting, and other damage. Replace any damaged pump and the corresponding fuel pump canister with new parts before further flight in accordance with the AOT.

(2) Inspect the center tank fuel pump canisters to detect cracks. Replace any cracked fuel pump canister and the corresponding fuel pump with new parts before further flight in accordance with the AOT.

Repetitive Inspections

(b) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Perform a detailed inspection of the fuel pumps, and an eddy current inspection of the fuel pump canisters, to detect damage. Do the inspections in accordance with paragraph 4.3 of Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075, dated February 20, 2003. Replace any damaged part with a new part before further flight in accordance with the AOT. Repeat the inspections at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles.

(c) Within 7,000 flight cycles after canister replacement as specified in paragraph (b) of this AD: Perform an eddy current inspection of the fuel pump canisters to detect damage in accordance with Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075, dated February 20, 2003. Replace any damaged part with a new part before further flight in accordance with the AOT. Thereafter repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles.

Note 2:

Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075 refers to Airbus Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A6061, Revision 04, dated August 1, 2002, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of the eddy current inspection required by paragraph (b)(2) of this AD.

Reporting Requirement

(d) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of findings (both positive and negative) of each inspection required by this AD, in accordance with Airbus AOT A300-600-28A6075, dated February 20, 2003. Information collection requirements contained in this AD have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(1) For any inspection accomplished after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after performing that inspection.

(2) For any inspection accomplished before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

(f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be done in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex A300-600-28A6075, dated February 20, 2003. 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, 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 telegraphic airworthiness directive 2003-085 (B), dated February 21, 2003.

Effective Date

(g) This amendment becomes effective on May 19, 2004.