[Federal Register: August 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 158)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 48336-48338]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17au05-29]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22120; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-92-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-100 Series Airplanes,
Model A320-111 Airplanes, Model A320-200 Series Airplanes, and Model
A321-100 Series 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 Airbus Model A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111 airplanes,
Model A320-200 series airplanes, and Model A321-100 series airplanes
equipped with any additional center tank (ACT). This proposed AD would
require identifying the part number of the ACT and, for certain ACTs,
replacing the outer ACT manhole cover and seal. This proposed AD is
prompted by reports of an ACT fuel transfer failure due to air leakage
around the seal of the outer manhole covers of the ACTs. We are
proposing this AD to prevent this leakage, which could result in fuel
or fuel vapor leaking into the cargo compartment, and consequent
increased risk of a fire in the cargo compartment.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 16,
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.
By 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.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-22120; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-92-AD.
[[Page 48337]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22120;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-92-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 submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
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 can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can 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 DMS receives them.
Discussion
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 Airbus Model A319-100 series airplanes,
Model A320-111 airplanes, Model A320-200 series airplanes, and Model
A321-100 series airplanes equipped with certain additional center tanks
(ACTs). The DGAC advises that it has received reports of an ACT fuel
transfer failure due to extrusion of the outer ACT manhole cover seals,
which allowed air leaks. Subsequent analysis revealed the need to
change the installation process and modify the seal material to ensure
a proper seal. Leakage around the ACT outer manhole cover seals could
result in fuel or fuel vapor leaking into the cargo compartment, and
consequent increased risk of a fire in the cargo compartment.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1105, Revision 01, dated
March 18, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for airplanes
having affected ACTs for replacing the outer ACT manhole cover with a
reinforced manhole cover, and replacing the outer manhole cover seal
with a new seal. The DGAC mandated Service Bulletin A320-28-1105 and
issued French airworthiness directive F-2004-038, dated March 17, 2004,
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
Service Bulletin A320-28-1105 states that its accomplishment
``requires the prior or simultaneous accomplishment'' of Service
Bulletin A320-28-1087. However, this proposed AD would not require the
actions specified in Service Bulletin A320-28-1087 because those
actions are required by AD 2004-23-04, amendment 39-13859 (69 FR 65523,
November 15, 2004).
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1105 notes that Airbus Service
Bulletins A320-28-1098 and A320-28-1086 ``can be done'' at the same
time as Service Bulletin A320-28-1105, yet identifies those service
bulletins as ``concurrent requirements.'' This proposed AD would not
require either Service Bulletin A320-28-1086 (because those actions are
required by AD 2004-23-04) or A320-28-1098 (because we have determined
that those actions are not necessary to address the unsafe condition
identified in this proposed AD).
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 products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the applicable actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed below.
Difference Between Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive
The French airworthiness directive limits its applicability to
Airbus Model A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111 airplanes, Model
A320-200 series airplanes, and Model A321-100 series airplanes equipped
with ACTs having certain part numbers. However, this proposed AD would
not limit the applicability to certain ACT part numbers, but would
require operators to first identify the ACT part number and then modify
only the affected ACTs. This action will ensure that the unsafe
condition is addressed on the fleet.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work Average hourly Parts Cost per registered Fleet
hours labor rate airplane airplanes cost
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P/N identification................. 1 $65 $0 $65 28 $1,820
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[[Page 48338]]
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-22120; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
92-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by September 16, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-111, -
112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-
111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model
A321-111, -112, and -131 airplanes; certificated in any category;
which are equipped with any additional center tank (ACT).
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of an ACT fuel transfer
failure due to air leakage around the seal of the outer manhole
covers of the ACTs. We are requiring this AD to prevent this
leakage, which could result in fuel or fuel vapor leaking into the
cargo compartment, and consequent increased risk of a fire in the
cargo compartment.
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.
Part Number Identification
(f) Within 30 days (for Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115,
-131, -132, and -133 airplanes) or 12 months (for Model A320-111, -
211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111,
-112, and -131 airplanes) after the effective date of this AD:
Determine whether the part number (P/N) of each ACT installed on the
airplane is included in Table 1 of this AD. If no ACT installed on
the airplane has a P/N included in Table 1 of this AD, no further
work is required by this paragraph.
Table 1.--Affected ACT P/Ns
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D2827091100000
D2827091100200
D2827091100600
D2827091300000
D2827091300200
D2827091300400
D2827105100000
D2827105100200
D2827105100400
D2827105200000
D2827105200200
D2827105200400
D2827105300000
D2827105300200
D2827105300400
D2827105400000
D2827105400200
D2827105400400
D2827105400600
D2827105400800
D2827105500000
D2827105500200
D2827105500400
D2827105600000
D2827105600200
D2827105600400
D2827107500000
D2827107500200
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Manhole Cover/Seal Replacement
(g) Within 30 days (for Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115,
-131, -132, and -133 airplanes) or 12 months (for Model A320-111, -
211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111,
-112, and -131 airplanes) after the effective date of this AD: For
each ACT P/N listed in Table 1 of this AD: Before further flight,
replace the outer ACT manhole cover with a reinforced manhole cover
and replace the outer manhole cover seal with a new seal, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-28-1105, Revision 01, dated March 18, 2003.
Replacements are also acceptable if done before the effective date
of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1105,
dated October 22, 2002.
Parts Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
an ACT having any P/N listed in Table 1 of this AD, unless the
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been done for that
ACT.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, International Branch, 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
(j) French airworthiness directive F-2004-038, dated March 17,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 10, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16263 Filed 8-16-05; 8:45 am]
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