AD NUMBER: 2020-01-15

PRODUCT: All Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes), and certain Model A310 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY: This AD was prompted by the FAA's analysis of the fuel system reviews on these models conducted by the manufacturer.

This AD requires modifying the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) to prevent development of an ignition source inside the center fuel tank due to electrical fault conditions.

This AD also provides alternative actions for cargo airplanes.

DATES: This AD is effective March 17, 2020.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 122 airplanes of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

The FAA also estimates that it would take about 1,200 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the parts needed to do the required actions. Based on these figures, The FAA estimates the labor cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $12,444,000, or $102,000 per product.

The FAA has not received definitive information on the costs for the alternative wire separation modification specified in this AD. The cost for this action in similar rulemaking on other airplanes, however, suggests that this modification could take about 74 work-hours, with parts costing about $10,000, for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $16,290 per product.

FMI: AD