2010-08-08: Fuel

2010-08-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-16263. Docket No. FAA-2010-0391; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-073-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 29, 2010. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and - 343 airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, on which Airbus modification 56966MP16199 has been embodied in production or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3105 has been embodied in service. Subject (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel. Reason (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) states: During a recent in-service event the flight crew of a Trent 700 powered A330 aircraft reported a temporary Engine Pressure Ratio (EPR) shortfall on engine 2 during the take-off phase of the flight. The ENG STALL warning was set. The flight crewfollowed the standard procedures which included reducing throttle to idle. The engine recovered and provided the demanded thrust level for the remainder of the flight. Data analysis confirmed a temporary fuel flow restriction and subsequent recovery, and indicated that also engine 1 experienced a temporary fuel flow restriction shortly after the initial event on engine 2, again followed by a full recovery. The engine 1 EPR shortfall was insufficient to trigger any associated warning and was only noted through analysis of the flight data. No flight crew action was necessary to recover normal performance on this engine. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. Based on previous industry-wide experience, the investigation of the event has focused on the possibility for ice to temporarily restrict the fuel flow. While no direct fuel system fault has been identified, the operation of the water scavenge system at Rib 3 cannot be excluded as being a contributory factor. Testing and analysis are continuing to identify the root cause of the event. The scenario of ice being shed and causing a temporary blockage in the engine fuel system may lead to a temporary fuel flow restriction to the engine. This may result in a possible engine surge or stall condition, and in the engine not being able to provide the commanded thrust. Therefore, as a precautionary measure to reduce the possibility of ingesting ice into the engine fuel feed system, this AD requires to: --Deactivate the automatic Standby Fuel Pump Scavenge System, which operates during Taxi and Take-off by removing relays Functional Item Numbers (FIN) 80QA1 and 80QA2 (this will not affect normal standby pump operation) for aeroplanes identified in the applicability section of this AD and on which this deactivation has not been performed in production through the modification 200801, and --Prohibit the dispatch with * * * [a] MAIN Fuel Pump inoperative on all aeroplanes identified in the applicability section of this AD. This AD also requires revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual to advise the flight crew of the dispatch prohibition. Compliance (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Actions (g) For airplanes on which Airbus modification 200801 has not been embodied in production as of the effective date of this AD: Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, deactivate the water scavenge automatic operation by removing relays FIN 80QA1 (left-hand) and 80QA2 (right-hand), in accordance with the instructions in Airbus All Operators Telex A330-28A3114, Revision 1, dated March 24, 2010. (h) Deactivation before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex A330-28A3114, dated March 10, 2010, is considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action required by paragraph (g)of this AD. (i) For airplanes on which Airbus modification 200801 has not been embodied in production as of the effective date of this AD: Before further flight after accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, dispatch of an airplane with any inoperative main fuel pump is prohibited. (j) For airplanes on which Airbus modification 200801 has been embodied in production as of the effective date of this AD: Dispatch of an airplane with any inoperative main fuel pump is prohibited as of the effective date of this AD. (k) For all airplanes: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD, revise the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include the following statement. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. "Dispatch with any inoperative main fuel pump is prohibited.'' (1) For airplanes on which Airbus modification 200801 has not been embodied in production as of the effective date ofthis AD: Revise the AFM before further flight after accomplishment of the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (2) For airplanes on which Airbus modification 200801 has been embodied in production as of the effective date of this AD: Revise the AFM before further flight after the effective date of this AD. Note 1: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (k) of this AD has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (l) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically refer to this AD. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD,under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (m) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2010-0042-E, dated March 12, 2010; and Airbus All Operators Telex A330-28A3114, Revision 1, dated March 24, 2010; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (n) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex A330-28A3114, Revision 1, dated March 24, 2010, as applicable, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (The document number, revision level, and date of this document are indicated only on the first page of the document; no other page of the document contains this information.) (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; e-mail [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.