[Federal Register: November 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 221)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64823-64825]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17no03-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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[[Page 64824]]
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320
series airplanes. This proposal would require a modification and
replacement affecting the center and wing fuel tanks. All affected
airplanes would require modification of the wiring of the fuel quantity
indicating probes of the center and wing fuel tanks. Some affected
airplanes would also require replacement of the high-level sensors of
the additional center fuel tank with new, improved sensors. These
actions are necessary to prevent overheating of the fuel probes due to
a short circuit, and fuel leakage due to inadequate expansion of the
area within the additional center fuel tank. Such conditions could
result in fuel vapors or fuel contacting an ignition source and/or
consequent fire/explosion in the center fuel tank. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 17, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NM-153-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2002-NM-153-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319 and A320
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that investigations done by the
manufacturer have revealed a potential risk of a 28-volt direct current
short circuit, external to the fuel tank, of fuel quantity indicating
(FQI) wiring installed in harnesses that contain wiring for other power
systems. This short circuit could lead to overheating of the fuel
probes and risk of an explosion. In addition, testing of the additional
center fuel tank revealed that compliance with Joint Aviation
Regulation 25.0989, which requires a 2% expansion of the center fuel
tank, could not be attained due to sagging of the bladder. To correct
this deficiency a new, improved high-level sensor has been developed
that is longer and senses the fuel at a lower level, which reduces the
fuel volume and allows for the 2% expansion. Overheating of the fuel
probes due to a short circuit, and fuel leakage due to inadequate
expansion of the area within the additional center fuel tank, could
result in fuel vapors or fuel contacting an ignition source, and/or
consequent fire/explosion in the center fuel tank.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1087, Revision 02, dated
June 10, 2003, which describes procedures for modification of the
wiring of the FQI probes of the center and wing fuel tanks. The
modification includes the following:
[sbull] Installation of fused adaptors for the FQI probes of the
center tanks.
[sbull] Installation of fused plug connectors for the FQI probes of
the wing tanks.
[sbull] Installation of fused adapters between the external wiring
harness and the in-tank wiring of the connectors on the center fuel
tank wall.
[sbull] Operational testing of the refuel/defuel system, a leak
test, a test of the pressure switch of the fuel transfer pump, and an
operational test of the individual motor of the transfer valve, and
repair if necessary.
Airbus also has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1086, Revision 01,
dated October 23, 2002, applicable to certain Airbus Model A319-115 and
-133 series airplanes. The service bulletin describes procedures for
replacement of the existing high-level sensors with new, improved
sensors. The replacement includes installation of new, improved
sensors, bonding leads, and a placard. Procedures are provided for
operational tests of the additional center fuel tanks following the
installation, and repair if necessary.
The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued
French airworthiness directive 2002-220(B) R1, dated October 15, 2003,
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
[[Page 64825]]
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the
situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the applicable service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 468 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take between 10 and 22 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $65
per work hour. Required parts would cost between $670 and $5750 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification
proposed by this AD is estimated to be between $617,760 and $3,360,240,
or between $1,320 and $7,180 per airplane.
Should an operator be required to do the replacement of the high-
level sensors, it would take about 80 work hours, at an average labor
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be free of charge.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement proposed by
this AD is estimated to be $5,200 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus: Docket 2002-NM-153-AD.
Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes;
certificated in any category; as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-28-1087, Revision 02, dated June 10, 2003; and Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-28-1086, Revision 01, dated October 23, 2002.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent overheating of the fuel probes due to a short
circuit, and fuel leakage due to inadequate expansion of the area
within the additional center fuel tank, which could result in fuel
vapors or fuel contacting an ignition source and/or consequent fire/
explosion in the center fuel tank, accomplish the following:
Modification/Replacement
(a) Within 4,000 flight hours or 30 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is first: Do the applicable actions
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD. Accomplishment
of the modification before the effective date of this AD per Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-28-1087, dated July 17, 2001; or Revision 01,
dated March 3, 2003; or accomplishment of the replacement before the
effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1086,
dated November 30, 1999; as applicable; is considered acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding action specified in paragraph
(a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-
1087, Revision 02, dated June 10, 2003: Modify the wiring of the
fuel quantity indicating probes of the center and wing fuel tanks by
doing all the actions specified in paragraphs 3.A. through 3.D.
(including operational testing and any applicable repair) of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Do the actions
per the service bulletin. Any applicable repair must be done before
further flight.
(2) For airplanes defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-
1086, Revision 01, dated October 23, 2002: Prior to or concurrent
with accomplishment of paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, replace the
high-level sensors of the additional center fuel tanks by doing all
the actions specified in paragraphs 3.A through 3.D. (including
operational testing and any applicable repair) of the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin. Do the actions per the service
bulletin. Any applicable repair must be done before further flight.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2002-220(B) R1, dated October 15, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 10, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-28609 Filed 11-14-03; 8:45 am]
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