AD 2000-07-29

Effective May 19, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 4, 1998 (63 FR 40811, July 31, 1998).

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.

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.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-16-09, amendment 39-10685 (63 FR 40811, July 31, 1998), which is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2000 (65 FR 6563). The action proposed to continue to require a one-time operational test of the fire shut-off valves (FSOV) to determine if the FSOV's are functioning correctly, and replacement of failed parts with new or serviceable parts. The action also proposed to require repetitive performance of the operational test. In addition, the action also proposed to limit the applicability to airplanes installed with certain FSOV's.

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

One commenter states no objection to the proposed rule. Another commenter states that it has no comment to the proposed rule.

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.

There are approximately 103 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The operational test that is currently required by AD 98-16-09, and retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently required test on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60 per airplane, per test cycle.

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.

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.

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:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10685 (63 FR 40811, July 31, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-11685, to read as follows: