[Federal Register: November 14, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 221)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67379-67383]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no08-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27011; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-175-AD;
Amendment 39-15722; AD 2008-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting to determine the part
number and serial number of the fuel tank boost pumps and, for
airplanes with affected pumps, revising the airplane flight manual
(AFM) and the FAA-approved maintenance program. The existing AD also
provides for optional terminating action for compliance with the
revisions to the AFM and the maintenance program. This new AD requires
modifying or replacing the fuel tank boost pumps, which would terminate
the AFM limitations and the maintenance program revisions. This AD
results from a report that a fuel tank boost pump failed in service,
due to a detached screw of the boost pump housing that created a short
circuit between the stator and rotor of the boost pump motor and
tripped a circuit breaker. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical
arcing in the fuel tank boost pump motor, which, in the presence of a
combustible air-fuel mixture in the pump, could result in an explosion
and loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 19, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of December 19,
2008.
On July 3, 2006 (71 FR 34814, June 16, 2006), the Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain
other publication.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: account.airworth-
eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2006-12-02,
amendment 39-14626 (71 FR 34814, June 16, 2006). The existing AD
applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. That
supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 13,
2008 (73 FR 13507). That supplemental NPRM proposed to supersede an
existing AD that currently requires inspecting to determine the part
number and serial number of the fuel tank boost pumps and, for
airplanes with affected pumps, revising the airplane flight manual
(AFM) and the FAA-approved maintenance program. The existing AD also
provides for optional terminating action for compliance with the
revisions to the AFM and the maintenance program. That supplemental
NPRM proposed to require modifying or replacing the fuel tank boost
pumps, which would terminate the AFM limitations and the maintenance
program revisions. That supplemental NPRM proposed to exclude certain
modified airplanes from the applicability, require the AFM/maintenance
program revisions on
[[Page 67380]]
additional airplanes, and require modification or replacement of
additional fuel tank boost pumps.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received on the
supplemental NPRM.
Request To Remove Paragraph (k) of the Supplemental NPRM
Airbus states a concern that we have introduced Airbus Modification
36734/Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-28-1153, dated May 5, 2006, as
terminating action to the AD. Airbus recognizes that this modification
and associated service bulletin were terminating action for AD 2006-12-
02, however Airbus points out that any modified pump installed
according to either Airbus Modification 36734 or Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A320-28-1153 is two-way interchangeable with an
affected pump having a part number ending in -005, -002, or -001.
Airbus points out that Airbus Modification 37508 and Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A320-28-1159, dated January 8, 2007, are the only
means to ensure that no affected pumps are on the airplanes. Further,
Airbus states that operators that do not use Airbus Mandatory Service
Bulletin A320-28-1159 will not be allowed to update their AFMs.
From these statements, we infer that Airbus is requesting that we
remove paragraph (k) of the supplemental NPRM, which provides credit
for actions done using Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-28-1153,
and that we remove reference to Airbus Modification 36734 from the
applicability statement of the supplemental NPRM. We do not agree. This
AD requires accomplishment of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-
28-1159, which, as Airbus points out, allows operators to remove the TR
from the AFM. We have determined that any affected fuel pump modified
in accordance with the actions specified in Airbus Mandatory Service
Bulletin A320-28-1153 (Modification 36734) will be the same as any
affected fuel pump modified in accordance with Airbus Mandatory Service
Bulletin A320-28-1159. Therefore, paragraph (k) of this AD merely
provides credit to operators that have previously modified an affected
fuel pump before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A320-28-1153 for that pump only. While we understand
Airbus' concern that the modified pumps may be interchanged with
unmodified pumps, we note that paragraph (j) of this AD allows removal
of the AFM TR only if all pumps have been replaced or modified.
Therefore, we have made no change to this AD in this regard.
Request To Refer to Latest Temporary Revision (TR)
Airbus notes that Airbus TR 4.03.00/28, Issue 02, dated May 18,
2007, to the Airbus A318/319/320/321 AFM has replaced Airbus TR
4.03.00/28, dated May 4, 2006. From this statement, we infer that
Airbus requests that we revise this AD to refer to Airbus TR 4.03.00/
28, Issue 02. Because Airbus TR 4.03.00/28, Issue 02, is already
referred to in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, we do not agree that any
change to the AD is necessary in this regard.
Request To Remove Certain Fuel Boost Pumps
Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of one of its members,
Northwest Airlines (NWA), states that the proposed actions should not
apply to fuel boost pumps below serial number (S/N) 6137 and that no
operating restrictions should be placed on airplanes with those pumps.
NWA states that there have been no definitive findings of missing or
loose fasteners on pumps below S/N 6137. NWA further asserts that the
fuel boost pump vendor, Eaton, has indicated the cause of the unsecured
nuts was errors made by a robotic tool used during assembly, which was
not used prior to S/N 6137 and not used on any older pump part numbers.
From these statements, we infer that the commenters request that we
remove fuel boost pumps having S/N below S/N 6137 from the requirements
of this AD. We do not agree. While it is true that there have not been
any confirmed loose or missing fasteners found on the -001, -002, or -
005 Eaton fuel boost pump with a serial number below S/N 6137, these
pumps are vulnerable to the same unsafe condition. We, along with
Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), have determined
that all of the subject fuel boost pumps might have had inadequate
torque applied to the screws during assembly, whether hand-driven
(below S/N 6137) or robotic-driven (above S/N 6137). Therefore, the
operational restriction must be applied to all airplanes with the
affected Eaton fuel boost pumps installed until the fuel boost pumps
are modified in accordance with the AD. We have made no change to the
AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received on the supplemental NPRM, and determined that air
safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed in
the supplemental NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Average labor Cost per Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours rate per hour Parts airplane registered airplanes Fleet cost
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Identification of boost pumps...... 1 $80 None................. $80 670.................. $53,600.
Revisions to AFM and maintenance 1 80 None................. 80 Up to 670............ Up to $53,600.
program.
Modifications...................... 3 80 Eaton states that 240 Up to 670............ Up to $160,800.
pumps will qualify
for free repair.
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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,
[[Page 67381]]
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;
(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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing amendment 39-14626 (71 FR
34814, June 16, 2006) and by adding the following new AD:
2008-23-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-15722. Docket No. FAA-2007-27011;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-175-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 19, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-12-02.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
airplanes, certificated in any category, except those airplanes on
which Airbus Modification 36734 or 37508 has been incorporated in
production.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that a fuel tank boost pump
failed in service, due to a detached screw of the boost pump housing
that created a short circuit between the stator and rotor of the
boost pump motor and tripped a circuit breaker. We are issuing this
AD to prevent electrical arcing in the fuel tank boost pump motor,
which, in the presence of a combustible air-fuel mixture in the
pump, could result in an explosion and 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.
Restatement of Certain Requirements of AD 2006-12-02
Part and Serial Number Inspection
(f) Within 10 days after July 3, 2006 (the effective date of AD
2006-12-02), inspect to determine the part number (P/N) and serial
number (S/N) of each fuel tank boost pump installed in the wing and
center fuel tanks. A review of maintenance records may be performed
instead of the required inspection if the P/N and S/N of the fuel
boost pump can be conclusively determined from that review. Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-28-1152, dated May 5, 2006; or
Revision 01, dated July 17, 2006; is acceptable for complying with
the requirements of this paragraph.
Revisions to Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)/Maintenance Program
P/N 568-1-27202-005 With S/Ns 6137 and Subsequent
(g) For airplanes equipped with one or more Eaton Aerospace
Limited (formerly FR-HITEMP Limited) fuel boost pumps, having P/N
568-1-27202-005 with S/N 6137 and subsequent: Prior to further
flight after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (f)
of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(2), as applicable of this AD, until the modifications/
replacements required by paragraph (j) of this AD have been done.
(1) Revise the Limitations section of the Airbus A318/319/320/
321 AFM (``the AFM'') and the FAA-approved maintenance program by
incorporating the following. This may be accomplished by inserting
copies of this AD into the AFM and the maintenance program.
``Apply the following procedure at each fuel loading:
Refueling:
Before refueling, all pumps must be turned off, in order to
prevent them from automatically starting during the refueling
process.
Ground fuel transfer:
For all aircraft, do not start a fuel transfer from any wing
tank, if it contains less than 700 kg (1,550 lb) of fuel.
For A318, A319, and A320 aircraft with a center tank, do not
start a fuel transfer from the center tank, if it contains less than
2,000 kg (4,500 lb) of fuel.
If a tank has less than the required quantity, it is necessary
to add fuel (via a transfer from another tank or refueling) to
enable a transfer to take place.
Defueling:
For all aircraft, when defueling the wings, do not start the
fuel pumps if the fuel quantity in the inner tank (wing tank for
A321) is below 700 kg (1,550 lb). If the fuel on the aircraft is not
sufficient to achieve the required fuel distribution, then transfer
fuel or refuel the aircraft to obtain the required fuel quantity in
the wing tank.
For A318, A319, and A320 aircraft with a center tank, when
performing a pressure defuel of the center tank, make sure that the
center tank contains at least 2,000 kg (4,500 lb) of fuel. If it has
less than the required quantity, then transfer fuel to the center
tank. Defuel the aircraft normally, and turn OFF the center tank
pumps immediately after the FAULT light on the corresponding
pushbutton-switch comes on.''
(2) For all airplanes equipped with a center tank (Modification
20024) excluding A321 models, revise the Limitations section of the
Airbus A318/319/320/321 AFM (``the AFM'') to incorporate the changes
specified in Airbus Temporary Revision (TR) 4.03.00/28, dated May 4,
2006; or 4.03.00/28, Issue 02, dated May 18, 2007. This may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of the TR into the AFM. When
general revisions of the AFM have been issued that incorporate the
revisions specified in the TR, the copy of the TR may be removed
from the AFM, provided the relevant information in the general
revision is identical to that in TR 4.03.00/28, dated May 4, 2006;
or 4.03.00/28, Issue 02, dated May 18, 2007.
New Requirements of This AD
Part and Serial Number Inspection
(h) For all airplanes: Within 10 days after the effective date
of this AD, inspect to determine the type and part number of each
fuel tank boost pump installed in the wing and center fuel tanks. A
review of maintenance records may be performed instead of the
required inspection if the part number and serial number of the fuel
boost pump can be conclusively determined from that review. Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-28-1159, dated January 8, 2007, is
acceptable for complying with the requirements of this paragraph.
Revisions to AFM/Maintenance Program: P/Ns 568-1-27202-001 and -002;
and P/N 568-1-27202-005 With S/Ns Below 6137
(i) For airplanes equipped with one or more Eaton Aerospace
Limited (formerly FR-
[[Page 67382]]
HITEMP Limited) fuel boost pumps, having P/N 568-1-27202-001 or 568-
1-27202-002; or P/N 568-1-27202-005 with any serial number below
6137: Before further flight after accomplishing the inspection
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, do the actions specified in
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, until the
modifications/replacements required by paragraph (j) of this AD have
been done.
Terminating Action
(j) For airplanes equipped with one or more Eaton Aerospace
Limited (formerly FR-HITEMP Limited) fuel boost pumps, having P/N
568-1-27202-001, -002, or -005: Within 5,000 flight hours or 18
months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD,
modify or replace affected fuel boost pumps in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin
A320-28-1159, dated January 8, 2007. Modification or replacement of
all affected fuel tank boost pumps on an airplane terminates the
requirements of this AD, and the limitations required by paragraph
(g) of this AD may be removed from the Airbus A318/319/320/321 AFM
and the maintenance program for that airplane.
Note 1: For additional sources of service information for the
fuel pump modification/replacement, Airbus Mandatory Service
Bulletin A320-28-1159, dated January 8, 2007, refers to EATON
Service Bulletin 8410-28-05, dated October 2, 2006.
Credit for Actions Done Using Alternative Service Information
(k) Modification of a fuel pump before the effective date of
this AD in accordance with Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A320-
28-1153, dated May 5, 2006, is acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD, for that
pump only.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(l)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149; has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-12-02
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
Related Information
(m) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive
2007-0218, dated August 10, 2007, also addresses the subject of this
AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(n) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of
this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, as
applicable, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
Table 1--All Material Incorporated by Reference
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Service information Revision/issue level Date
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Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin Original............................. May 5, 2006.
A320-28-1152, including Appendix
01.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin Revision 01.......................... July 17, 2006.
A320-28-1152, including Appendix
01.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin Original............................. January 8, 2007.
A320-28-1159.
Airbus Temporary Revision 4.03.00/ Original............................. May 4, 2006.
28.
Airbus Temporary Revision 4.03.00/ Issue 02............................. May 18, 2007.
28 to the Airbus A318/319/320/321
Airplane Flight Manual.
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(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the documents specified in Table 2 of
this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Table 2--New Material Incorporated by Reference
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Service information Revision/issue level Date
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Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin Original............................. May 5, 2006.
A320-28-1152, including Appendix
01.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin Revision 01.......................... July 17, 2006.
A320-28-1152, including Appendix
01.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin Original............................. January 8, 2007.
A320-28-1159.
Airbus Temporary Revision 4.03.00/ Issue 02............................. May 18, 2007.
28 to the Airbus A318/319/320/321
Airplane Flight Manual.
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[[Page 67383]]
(2) On July 3, 2006 (71 FR 34814, June 16, 2006), the Director
of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by
reference of Airbus Temporary Revision 4.03.00/28, dated May 4,
2006.
(3) Contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EAS, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; fax +33 5 61 93 44
51; e-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://
www.airbus.com, for a copy of this service information. You may
review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://
www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 24, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-25997 Filed 11-13-08; 8:45 am]
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