Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600 and A300 C4-600 series airplanes. The existing AD currently 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 proposed AD would add, for new airplanes, repetitive inspections of the pump bodies for cracking, damage, and missing and broken fasteners; repetitive inspections of the fuel pump canisters for a cracked flange web; and corrective actions if necessary. For all airplanes, this proposed AD would also add replacement of the fuel pump canisters with new reinforced fuel pump canisters, which ends the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. Weare proposing this AD 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.