[Federal Register: June 20, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 118)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35400-35402]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn06-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25079; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-065-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310-300 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 A310-300 airplanes. This proposed AD would
require replacing the existing non-return valve (NRV) of the auxiliary
center tanks (ACTs) of the fuel system with a new, improved NRV. This
proposed AD
[[Page 35401]]
results from a report that it was not possible to transfer fuel from
ACTs 1 and 2 during flight, and no electronic centralized aircraft
monitor warnings were triggered. Investigation revealed a faulty static
inverter and blown fuse, resulting in failure of certain fueling bus
bars and subsequent failure of the automatic ACT fuel transfer. We are
proposing this AD to prevent these failures, combined with failure of
the NRV to close. If the NRV is open during flight, the fuel supply to
the engines may be reduced during cross-feed operation to the extent
that fuel starvation could occur and result in engine flameout.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 20, 2006.
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 AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1622; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
25079; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-065-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.
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
that 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 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 A310-300 series airplanes.
The DGAC advises of receiving a report that it was not possible to
transfer fuel from auxiliary center tanks (ACTs) 1 and 2 during flight,
and no electronic centralized aircraft monitor warnings were triggered.
Investigation revealed a faulty static inverter and blown fuse,
resulting in failure of certain fueling bus bars and subsequent failure
of the automatic ACT fuel transfer. In addition, there are known
problems with certain non-return valves (NRVs) used throughout the fuel
system, which could result in intermittent failure of the NRV to close.
If the NRV is open during flight, the fuel supply to the engines may be
reduced during cross-feed operation to the extent that fuel starvation
could occur and result in engine flameout.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-28-2158, dated September 1,
2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing the
existing NRV with a new, improved NRV. 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-2005-197, dated December 7,
2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
France.
The Airbus service bulletin refers to Lucas Air Equipment Service
Bulletin C23AE01-28-01, Revision 1, dated July 20, 1994, as an
additional source of service information for replacing the NRV.
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 Airbus service information
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 11 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed replacement would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at
an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $368 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $4,928, or $448 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
[[Page 35402]]
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 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, 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-2006-25079; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
065-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 20,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-304, -308, -324, and -
325 airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with auxiliary
center tanks (ACTs); except those on which Airbus Modification 8928
has been done in production.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that it was not possible to
transfer fuel from ACTs 1 and 2 during flight, and no electronic
centralized aircraft monitor warnings were triggered. Investigation
revealed a faulty static inverter and blown fuse, resulting in
failure of certain fueling bus bars and subsequent failure of the
automatic ACT fuel transfer. We are issuing this AD to prevent these
failures, combined with failure of the non-return valve (NRV) to
close. If the NRV is open during flight, the fuel supply to the
engines may be reduced during cross-feed operation to the extent
that fuel starvation could occur and result in engine flameout.
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.
Replacement
(f) Within 15,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD: Replace the existing NRV with a new, improved NRV by doing all
the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2158, dated September 1, 2005.
Note 1: The Airbus service bulletin refers to Lucas Air
Equipment Service Bulletin C23AE01-28-01, Revision 1, dated July 20,
1994, as an additional source of service information for replacing
the NRV.
Parts Installation
(g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any airplane, a NRV having part number C23AE0102, unless it has
been modified according to paragraph (f) of this AD.
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-2005-197, dated December 7,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-9631 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am]
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