[Federal Register: March 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 50)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12816-12819]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16mr05-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-148-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and
F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes
(Collectively Called A300-600); and Model A310 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 certain Airbus model airplanes, as specified above. This proposed
AD would require modifying the electrical bonding points of additional
center tanks. This proposed AD is prompted by the results of fuel
system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD
to prevent electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient
bonding, which could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a
potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 15, 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
[[Page 12817]]
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket number is
FAA-2005-20625; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2003-NM-
148-AD.
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
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-2005-20625;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-148-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 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.
We have determined that the actions identified in this 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.
The Direction Generale 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 B4-600, B4-600R, and
F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes
(collectively called A300-600); and Model A310 series airplanes. The
DGAC advises that review of the bonding methods for various components
of additional center tanks (ACT) installed in the cargo compartment has
shown that the effectiveness of the grounds must be improved. In
certain specific flight conditions (such as an airplane lightning
strike or the accumulation of static charges), insufficient bonding
could lead to electrical arcing inside the fuel tank. This condition,
if not prevented, could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a
potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-28-6060 (for Model A300-600
airplanes), dated December 7, 1999; and Service Bulletin A310-28-2137
(for Model A310 series airplanes), Revision 02, dated April 7, 2003.
The service bulletins describe procedures for modifying the electrical
bonding points of the ACT(s). The modification includes the following
actions:
In the manhole cover areas of the ACT, cleaning the
contact zones of the bonding points on the studs and bracket, and on
bonding contact zones of the inner and outer manhole covers with a
certain cleaning agent.
Modifying/cleaning and reidentifying certain parts, and
preparing and bonding certain areas before pipework installation.
Modifying certain equipment; doing an in-situ modification
of the water drain valves; and preparing and bonding certain areas
before equipment installation.
For Model A310 series airplanes, installing the additional
bonding lead between the flanges of the fuel and vent pipes.
Reidentifying the ACT.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated
the
[[Page 12818]]
service information and issued French airworthiness directive 2003-
161(B), dated April 30, 2003, 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
Sec. 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 actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between
the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive
The applicability of French airworthiness directive 2003-161(B)
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6060 and
A310-28-2137 were 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, as applicable. This
requirement would ensure that the actions specified in the applicable
service bulletin 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.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 2 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 48 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $470 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $7,180, or $3,590 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 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-2005-20625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-
148-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by April 15, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes listed in Table 1 of this
AD, certificated in any category, equipped with one or more
additional center tanks (ACTs).
Table 1.--Applicability
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Airbus model-- As identified in--
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A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-
series airplanes, and Model C4-605R 6060, dated December 7, 1999.
Variant F airplanes (collectively
called A300-600 airplanes).
A310 series airplanes.................. Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-
2137, Revision 02, dated April
7, 2003.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by the results of fuel system reviews
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent
electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient bonding,
which could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a potential
risk of 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.
Modify the Electrical Bonding Points
(f) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the electrical bonding
[[Page 12819]]
points of the ACT(s), by doing all of the actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6060,
dated December 7, 1999 (for Model A300-600 airplanes); or Airbus
Service Bulletin A310-28-2137, Revision 02, dated April 7, 2003 (for
Model A310 series airplanes); as applicable.
Credit for Previous Service Bulletins
(g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2137, dated December
7, 1999; or Revision 01, dated January 12, 2002; are acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) 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
(i) French airworthiness directive 2003-161(B), dated April 30,
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5138 Filed 3-15-05; 8:45 am]
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