[Federal Register: October 26, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 206)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 61720-61721]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26oc05-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22170; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-073-AD;
Amendment 39-14349; AD 2005-22-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and
-231 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. This AD
requires, for certain airplanes, modifying the cables and access holes
to the inner tank fuel pumps; and, for certain other airplanes,
inspecting the fuel pump access holes and modifying the access holes,
if necessary. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel
pump cables, which could result in electrical arcing and possible
ignition of fuel vapors and consequent explosion of the fuel tank.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 30, 2005.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of November 30,
2005.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building,
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this AD.
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:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model
A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. That NPRM was published in
the Federal Register on August 23, 2005 (70 FR 49213). That NPRM
proposed to require, for certain airplanes, modifying the cables and
access holes to the inner tank fuel pumps; and, for certain other
airplanes, inspecting the fuel pump access holes and modifying the
access holes, if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received. The
commenter supports the NPRM.
Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph
We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.
Editorial Change
As stated in the ``Relevant Service Information'' section of the
NPRM, Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1054, dated August 23, 1993,
describes procedures for performing an inspection, and ``as applicable,
modifying the fuel pump access holes.'' We have revised paragraph
(f)(2) of the final rule to state ``* * * modify the access holes, as
applicable * * *'' instead of ``* * * modify the access holes, as
necessary * * *.''
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 17 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
actions will be performed at an average labor rate of $65 per work
hour, and any needed parts will be supplied from operator inventory.
For about 7 U.S.-registered airplanes subject to Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-28-1008, Revision 1, dated April 10, 1989, the
modification will take about 3 work hours. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of this modification for U.S. operators is $1,365, or
$195 per airplane.
For about 10 U.S.-registered airplanes subject to Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-28-1054, dated August 23, 1993, the inspection will take
about 1 work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this
inspection for U.S. operators is $650, or $65 per airplane.
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 AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
[[Page 61721]]
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2005-22-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-14349. Docket No. FAA-2005-22170;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-073-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective November 30, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -
231 airplanes, certificated in any category, that have not received
Airbus Modification 21088 or 21999 in production; and airplanes that
have received Airbus Modification 21088 in production and have
manufacturer's serial numbers 91 to 113 inclusive and 140 to 189
inclusive.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from fuel systems reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel
pump cables, which could result in electrical arcing and possible
ignition of fuel vapors and consequent explosion of the fuel tank.
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.
Inspection and Modification of Fuel Pump Access Holes
(f) Within 58 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this
AD, as applicable.
(1) For airplanes that have not received Airbus Modification
21088 or 21999 in production: Modify the cables and access holes to
the inner tank fuel pumps, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1008, Revision 1,
dated April 10, 1989.
(2) For airplanes that have received Airbus Modification 21088
in production and have manufacturer's serial numbers 91 to 113
inclusive and 140 to 189 inclusive: Perform a general visual
inspection for the correct radius of the fuel pump access holes and
modify the access holes, as applicable, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1054,
dated August 23, 1993. Do any applicable repairs before further
flight.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
No Reporting Requirement
(g) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1054, dated August
23, 1993, describes procedures for reporting inspection findings to
Airbus, this AD does not require that report.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-031, dated February
16, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use the service information identified in Table 1
of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-
1008, Revision 1, dated April 10, 1989, contains the following
effective pages:
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Revision level Date shown on
Page No. shown on page page
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1, 2, 7-9....................... 1................. April 10, 1989.
3-6............................. Original.......... February 9, 1989.
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The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation
by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information.
You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
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Airbus service bulletin Revision level Date
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A320-28-1008.................... 1................. April 10, 1989.
A320-28-1054.................... Original.......... August 23, 1993.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21312 Filed 10-25-05; 8:45 am]
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