[Federal Register: August 8, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 151)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45587-45590]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08au05-24]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22032; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-049-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-620, A310-304,
A310-324, and A310-325 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-620, A310-304, A310-324, and A310-325
airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing fused adaptors
between the external wiring harness and the in-tank wiring at the
connectors on the fuel tank wall of the auxiliary center tank (ACT).
This proposed AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews
conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent an
ignition source in the ACT, which, in combination with flammable fuel
vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of
the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 7,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
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
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Include the docket number
``Docket No. FAA-2005-22032; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-049-AD'' at
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the
proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
[[Page 45588]]
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
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.
The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) has issued a regulation that
is similar to SFAR 88. (The JAA is an associated body of the European
Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) representing the civil aviation
regulatory authorities of a number of European States who have agreed
to co-operate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory
standards and procedures.) Under this regulation, the JAA stated that
all members of the ECAC that hold type certificates for transport
category airplanes are required to conduct a design review against
explosion risks.
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-620, A310-
304, A310-324, and A310-325 airplanes. The DGAC advises that the
electrical wiring for the fuel quantity indicators (FQIs) of the
auxiliary center tank (ACT) is installed in harnesses that also contain
115V wiring that supplies other systems. The DGAC further advises that,
pursuant to SFAR 88 and JAA reviews, the electrical routing of the ACT
FQI wiring should be improved by segregating it from the 115V wiring.
Wiring that is not segregated could result in an ignition source in the
ACT, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in
a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the service bulletins in the following table.
Airbus Service Bulletins
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Service bulletin Revision Date Model
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A300-28-6073...................... Original.......... December 23, 2004............ A300 B4-620 airplanes.
A310-28-2149...................... Original.......... September 29, 2004........... A310-304, A310-324, and
A310-325 airplanes.
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These service bulletins describe procedures for installing fused
adaptors between the external wiring harness and the in-tank wiring at
the connectors on the fuel tank wall of the ACT. Accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately
address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the service information
and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-021, dated February 2,
2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
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 the FAA informed
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously.
[[Page 45589]]
Difference Between the French Airworthiness Directive and This Proposed
AD
The applicability of French airworthiness directive F-2005-021
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6073 or
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2149 was accomplished in service.
However, we have not excluded those airplanes in the applicability of
this proposed AD; rather, this proposed AD includes a requirement to
accomplish the actions specified in those service bulletins. This
requirement would ensure that the actions specified in the service
bulletins and required by this proposed AD are accomplished on all
affected airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the airplane in
the configuration required by this proposed AD unless an alternative
method of compliance is approved. This difference has been coordinated
with the DGAC.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 2 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 52 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $5,410 per ACT (up to two ACTs per airplane). Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
$8,790 per ACT, per airplane.
Currently, there are no Model A300 B4-620 airplanes of U.S.
registry with one or more ACTs. However, if an affected airplane is
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the required
actions would take about 52 work hours, at an average labor rate of $65
per work hour. Required parts would cost about $10,730 per ACT, per
airplane. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to be
$14,110 per ACT.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-22032; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
049-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September
7, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-620,
A310-304, A310-324, and A310-325 airplanes, certificated in any
category; equipped with one or more auxiliary center tank (ACT),
except those on which Airbus Modification 12471 has been
accomplished in production.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent an
ignition source in the ACT, which, in combination with flammable
fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent
loss of the airplane.
Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified,
unless the actions have already been done.
Modification
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD:
Install fused adaptors between the external wiring harness and the
in-tank wiring at the connectors on the fuel tank wall of the ACT by
doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions
of the applicable service bulletin in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Airbus Service Bulletins
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Airbus service bulletin Revision Date Model
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A300-28-6073...................... Original.......... December 23, 2004............ A300 B4-620 airplanes.
A310-28-2149...................... Original.......... September 29, 2004........... A310-304, A310-324, and
A310-325 airplanes.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive F-2005-021, dated February 2,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
[[Page 45590]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 2, 2005.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-15591 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
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