[Federal Register: May 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 95)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 27868-27870]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17my04-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-344-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 series
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of certain wires in
the right-hand wing. This action is necessary to ensure that fuel
quantity indication wires are properly separated from wires carrying
115-volt alternating current (AC). Improper separation of such wires,
in the event of wire damage, could lead to a short circuit and a
possible ignition source, which could result in a fire in the airplane.
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 16, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-344-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-344-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, 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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2797; 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:
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.
For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
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
[[Page 27869]]
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-344-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-344-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in
recent fuel tank explosions on several large transport airplanes,
including the adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of
airplanes subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance
practices for fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we
issued a regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design
Review, Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection
Requirements' (67 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new
airworthiness standards for transport airplanes and new maintenance
requirements, this rule included Special Federal Aviation Regulation
No. 88 (``SFAR 88,'' Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82
and 21-83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e.,
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found necessary
to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: Single failures, single failures in
combination with another latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
Based on this process, we have determined that the actions
identified in this proposed AD are necessary to reduce the potential of
ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and
consequent loss of the airplane.
As a result of the design reviews of the fuel tank system, the
Direction Generale 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 A310 series airplanes. The
DGAC advises that analysis of wire routing has revealed that Route 2S
of the fuel electrical circuit, located in the right-hand wing, does
not provide adequate separation of fuel quantity indication wires from
wires carrying 115-volt alternating current (AC). Improper separation
of such wires, in the event of wire damage, could lead to a short
circuit and a possible ignition source, which could result in a fire in
the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, dated
October 29, 2002. That service bulletin describes procedures for
modifying the routing of wires in the right-hand wing by installing
cable sleeves. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and
issued French airworthiness directive 2002-578(B), dated November 27,
2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
France.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is 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 the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has 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 service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 9 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $1,880 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$113,390, or $2,465 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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
[[Page 27870]]
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-344-AD.
Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes on which neither
Airbus Modification 12427 nor 12435 has been accomplished,
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To ensure that fuel quantity indication wires are properly
separated from wires carrying 115-volt alternating current (AC),
accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD: Modify the routing of wires in the right-hand wing by installing
cable sleeves, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, dated October 29, 2002.
Actions Accomplished Previously
(b) Modification of the routing of wires accomplished before the
effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148,
dated January 23, 2002, is acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2002-578(B), dated November 27, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11040 Filed 5-14-04; 8:45 am]
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