AD 97-07-09

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, that requires repetitive checks and testing of certain equipment that regulates the flow of fuel from wing tank 2A to the number 2 engine. This amendment also requires replacement of this equipment with equipment that has been designed to prevent incorrect installation; this replacement is considered to be terminating action for the repetitive equipment checks and tests. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the incorrect installation of this equipment has caused the flight crew to shut off, rather than open, certain valves that regulate the flow of fuel from between this tank and engine. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and rectify incorrect installations, which could result in the flight crew inadvertently shutting off the flow of fuel to the engine, and consequent engine failure during flight.

Final rule.

97-07-09 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-9983. Docket 96-NM-101-AD.

Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes, as listed in the Airbus service documents referenced in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this AD; 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 (e) 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 flight crew from inadvertently shutting off the flow of fuel from wing tank 2A to the number 2 engine, due to the incorrect installation of the isolation valve and crossfeed valve control unit 5QB, and the consequent failure of the engine, accomplish the following:

(a) For airplanes listed in Airbus A300 All Operator Telex (AOT) 28-03, dated June 6, 1991: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a check and functional test of the control knob configurations for the isolation valve and crossfeed valve control unit 5QB, in accordance with Airbus AOT 28-03, dated June 6, 1991.

(1) Repeat the check and test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time-in-service, and prior to further flight after any maintenance action is performed on the control unit.

(2) Any unit that does not successfully pass the check/functional test, must be repaired or otherwise rectified prior to further flight, in accordance with the AOT.

(b) For airplanes listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-055, Revision 3, dated December 19, 1991, as amended by Service Bulletin Change Notice 3.A., dated March 16, 1992: Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, replace the crossfeed and isolation valve control unit 5QB with a modified unit, in accordance Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-055, Revision 3, dated December 19, 1991, as amended by Service Bulletin Change Notice 3.A.

NOTE 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-055, Revision 3, references L' quipment et La Construction Electrique (ECE) Service Bulletins 28-195 and 28-196, both dated August 31, 1983, as additional sources of procedural information for replacement of the control unit.

(c) For airplanes listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0061, Revision 1, dated March 14, 1992: Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, replace the control knobs on the crossfeed and isolation valve controlunit 5QB with new knobs, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0061, Revision 1, dated March 14, 1992.

NOTE 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-0061, Revision 1, references ECE Service Bulletins 28-191, dated July 26, 1982, and 28-228, dated November 1, 1991, as additional sources of procedural information for replacement of the control knobs.

(d) Accomplishment of both of the replacements specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the repetitive checks and tests required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

(e) 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, 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 4:Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(f) 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.

(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following Airbus service documents, which contain the specified list of effective pages:

Service Bulletin Referenced and Date

Page Number
Revision Level
Shown on Page
Date
Shown on Page
Airbus All Operator
Telex (AOT) 28-03,
June 6, 1991
1-3
--
June 6, 1991
Airbus Service Bulletin
A300-28-055,
Revision 3,
December 19, 1991
1, 4

2, 3, 5, 6

7, 9, 10, 13

8, 11, 12
3

2

Original

1
December 19, 1991

September 19, 1991

October 16, 1983

July 2, 1991
Airbus Service BulletinA300-28-055, Change Notice 3.A., March 16, 1992
1-2
--
March 16, 1992
Airbus Service Bulletin
A300-28-0061,
Revision 1,
March 14, 1992
1

2-7
1

Original
March 14, 1992

January 23, 1992

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.

(h) This amendment becomes effective on May 9, 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 Model A300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 13, 1997 (62 FR 1695). That action proposed to require repetitive checks of the control knobs on isolation valve and crossfeed valve control unit 5QB; and repetitive tests of this control unit. As terminating action for these repetitive checks and tests, that action also proposed to require that operators replace these knobs and this control unit with knobs and a control unit that have been modified.

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 advises that it does not operate the affected Airbus series aircraft and, therefore, is not affected by this 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
The FAA estimates that 13 Airbus Model A300 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.

It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish each required check and test cycle, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required check and test on U.S. operators is estimated to be $780, or $60 per airplane, per check/test cycle.

It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required replacement of the control knobs and control unit, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,043 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,339, or $1,103 per airplane.

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.

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.
39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: