AD 97-09-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model A320, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes, that requires repetitive testing of certain fire shutoff valves (FSOV) on the left and right engines, repetitive checks of certain parts on the FSOV motors, and replacement of discrepant valves with modified valves. This amendment also requires modification of FSOV seals and motors as terminating action for the repetitive testing and check requirements. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that FSOV s are not closing completely during maintenance testing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid to the engine in the event of fire which, if not corrected, would fuel the fire, and lead to the loss of fluid in associated hydraulic systems, causing those systems to fail.

Final rule.

97-09-04 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10000. Docket 96-NM-204-AD.

Applicability: Model A320, A321, A330 and A340 series airplanes; equipped with Westland-Sitec fire shutoff valves having part number E03000; 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 (c) 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 flow of hydraulic fluid to the engine in the event of a fire, which would fuel the fire and lead to the loss of fluid in associated hydraulic systems, causing those systems to fail, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a functional test (for A320 and A321 series airplanes) or an operational test (for A330 and A340 series airplanes) on each fire shutoff valve (FSOV) for the left and right engines and immediately follow this test with a check to determine whether the FSOV motor is properly operating, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 29-15, dated May 30, 1995.

(1) If a FSOV passes the applicable test and check, repeat the procedures required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months.

(2) If a FSOV fails the applicable test or check, prior to further flight, replace the discrepant FSOVwith a FSOV modified in accordance with the service bulletins specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), and (a)(2)(iii), as applicable. Modification of the seal and the electrical actuator for the motor are to be performed at the same time. The accomplishment of these modifications constitutes terminating action for the repetitive testing and checks of this FSOV required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

(i) For Airbus A320 and A321 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1071, dated September 21, 1995.

(ii) For Airbus A330 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29-3018, dated January 17, 1996.

(iii) For Airbus A340 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-4018, dated January 17, 1996.

NOTE 2: The Airbus service bulletins cited in paragraphs (a)(2)(i)-(iii) of this AD refer to Westland-Sitec Service Bulletin No. E030WS-29-1, dated January 12, 1996 (valve modification), and Westland-Sitec Service Bulletin No. A06AWS-24-1, dated January 12,1996 (electrical actuator modification), as additional sources of procedural information.

(b) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, modify the electrical actuator for the motor and the seal of each FSOV, in accordance with the service bulletins specified in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD, as applicable. The accomplishment of these modifications constitutes terminating action for the repetitive tests and checks required by paragraph (a) of this AD and, thereafter, no further action is required.

(1) For Airbus A320 and A321 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1071, dated September 21, 1995.

(2) For Airbus A330 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29- 3018, dated January 17, 1996.

(3) For Airbus A340 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29- 4018, dated January 17, 1996.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be usedif approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(d) 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.

(e) The tests shall be done in accordance with Airbus AOT 29-15, dated May 30, 1995. The replacement and modifications shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1071, dated September 21, 1995; Airbus Service Bulletin A330-29-3018, dated January 17, 1996; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-29-4018, dated January 17, 1996; 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 29, 1997.

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 Industrie Model A320, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 29, 1996 (61 FR 60650). That action proposed to require repetitive testing of certain fire shutoff valves (FSOV) on the left and right engines, repetitive checks of certain parts on the FSOV motors, and replacement of discrepant valves with modified valves. That action also proposed to require modification of FSOV seals and motors as terminating action for the repetitive testing and check requirements.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received.

The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact: Model A320 and A321 Series Airplanes

The FAA estimates that 102 Airbus Model A320 and A321 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.

It will take approximately 2 hours to accomplish the required testing and check of all FSOV s and motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the actions required by this AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $12,240, or $120 per airplane, per testing and check.

It will take approximately 2 hours to accomplish the required modification of the FSOV seal, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes would be $12,240, or $120 per airplane.

It will take approximately 4 hours to accomplish the required modification of the FSOV motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes will be $24,480, or $240 per airplane.

It will take approximately 9 hours to accomplish the required installation of modified FSOV s and motor, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the action required by this AD on U.S. operators of Model A320 and A321 series airplanes is estimated to be $55,080, or $540 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

Cost Impact: Model A330 andA340 Series Airplanes
There are currently no Model A330 or Model A340 series airplanes on the U.S. Register. All of these airplanes included in the applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, the FAA considers it necessary to include these airplanes in the applicability of this rule in order to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of the subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Should an affected Model A330 or Model A340 series airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would take approximately 4 hours to accomplish the required testing and check of all FSOV s and motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these actions required by this AD is estimated to be $240 per airplane, per testing and check.

It would take approximately 4 hours to accomplish the required modification of FSOV seals, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these modifications required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $240 per airplane.

It would take approximately 8 hours to accomplish the required modification of the FSOV motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these modifications required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480 per airplane.

It would take approximately 19 hours to accomplish the required installation of modified FSOV s and motors, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this action required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,140 per airplane.

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 fromthe 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: