[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18960-18964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8198]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0264; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-244-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 Series Airplanes)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The
MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
[T]he FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation
Regulation 88). * * *
Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for
passenger transport aeroplanes * * * are required to conduct a
design review against explosion risks. The replacement of some types
of P-clips and
[[Page 18961]]
improvement of the electrical bonding of the equipment in the fuel
tanks [were] are rendered mandatory * * *.
* * * * *
Subsequently, an internal review * * * led * * * to * * * an
additional check [for blue coat] of the bonding points in the centre
tank. * * *
More recently, another internal review [introduced] additional
work [installing bonding points] for aeroplanes under Configuration
03 * * * and additional work [bonding the fuel jettison system--
blanking plates] on the wing tanks for aeroplanes under
Configuration 07 * * *.
The unsafe condition is damage to wiring in the wing, center, and
trim fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring
and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in the
wing, center, or trim fuel tanks. The proposed AD would require actions
that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the
MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 23, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., 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 SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; e-mail: [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0264;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-244-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On January 18, 2008, we issued AD 2008-03-04, Amendment 39-15353
(73 FR 5731, January 31, 2008). That AD required actions intended to
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
Since we issued AD 2008-03-04, internal reviews by the manufacturer
have shown that additional work is necessary on the center and wing
fuel tanks. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0074, dated April 16, 2010
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
[T]he FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation
Regulation 88). In their letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01-L296,
dated 04 March 2002, and 04/00/02/07/03-L024, dated 03 February
2003, the JAA recommended the application of a similar regulation to
the National Aviation Authorities (NAA).
Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for
passenger transport aeroplanes with either a passenger capacity of
30 or more, or a payload capacity of 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) or more
which have received their certification since 01 January 1958, are
required to conduct a design review against explosion risks. The
replacement of some types of P-clips and improvement of the
electrical bonding of the equipment in the fuel tasks are rendered
mandatory by this AD.
Initially, EASA AD 2006-0325, which addressed the same unsafe
condition, also applied to A300-600 aeroplanes. Airbus subsequently
introduced additional work at Revision 1 of SB A300-28-6064 [dated
April 3, 2007] applicable to A300-600 aeroplanes. As a result, EASA
AD 2006-0325 was revised to remove A300-600 aeroplanes from the
applicability, and concurrently EASA AD 2007-0233 was issued,
applicable to A300-600 aeroplanes. Unfortunately, the
`Applicability' section of EASA AD 2007-0233 was not correctly
defined, erroneously deleting one modification in the combination
that would exclude aeroplanes from having to comply. Consequently,
the AD 2007-0283 was issued, requiring the same actions as AD 2007-
0233, which was superseded, but expanded the group of aeroplanes to
which AD 2007-0283 applied [FAA AD 2008-03-04 corresponds with EASA
AD 2007-0283].
Subsequently, an internal review of Airbus SB A300-28-6064 led
the manufacturer to correct the figures of the SB. In particular, an
additional check [for blue coat] of the bonding points in the centre
tank was introduced in Revision 03 of Airbus SB A300-28-6064 [dated
December 15, 2008], prompting EASA to issue AD 2009-0143.
More recently, another internal review of Airbus SB A300-28-6064
again resulted in corrected figures in the SB. Additional work on
the center tank [installing bonding points] for aeroplanes under
Configuration 03 (as defined in the SB [Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009]) and additional work
[bonding the fuel jettison system--blanking plates] on the wing
tanks for aeroplanes under Configuration 07 have been introduced in
Revision 04 of Airbus SB A300-28-6064 [dated August 24, 2009].
For the reason described above, this new AD retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2009-0143, which is superseded, and requires
the additional work introduced in Revision 04 of Airbus SB A300-28-
6064 [dated August 24, 2009].
The unsafe condition is damage to wiring in the wing, center, and
trim fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring
and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in the
wing, center, or trim fuel tanks. The required actions also include
checking the electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the
center fuel tank for the presence of a blue coat and doing related
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The related
investigative action is to measure the electrical resistance between
the equipment and structure, if a blue coat is not present. The
corrective action is to electrically bond the
[[Page 18962]]
equipment, if the measured resistance is greater than 10 milliohms. You
may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
We have also revised paragraphs (f)(4) and (f)(5) of AD 2008-03-04
(re-identified as paragraphs (g)(6) and (g)(7) in this NPRM) by
replacing the term ``service bulletin'' with the full service bulletin
citation.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A300-28-6064,
Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008; and Revision 04, dated August 24,
2009. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 125 products of U.S. registry.
The actions that are required by AD 2008-03-04 and retained in this
proposed AD take about 632 work-hours per product, at an average labor
rate of $85 per work hour. Required parts cost about $6,870 per
product. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently
required actions is $60,590 per product.
We estimate that it would take about 9 work-hours per product to
comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $100
per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs
that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no
charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD
on U.S. operators to be $108,125, or $865 per product.
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 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 this 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 removing Amendment 39-15353 (73 FR
5731, January 31, 2008) and adding the following new AD:
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2011-0264; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-
244-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by May 23, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-03-04, Amendment 39-15353.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622
airplanes (without trim tank), all serial numbers, certificated in
any category, except airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 12226,
12365, 12490, and 12308 have been incorporated in production, or
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated
August 24, 2009; and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated
July 20, 2005; have been performed in service.
(2) Airbus Model A300 B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, and F4-622R
airplanes and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (fitted with a trim
tank), all serial numbers, certificated in any category, except
airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 12226, 12365, 12490, 12308,
12294, and 12476 have been incorporated in production, or on which
the service bulletins listed in paragraphs (c)(2)(i), (c)(2)(ii),
and (c)(2)(iii) of this AD have been performed in service.
(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 03,
dated December 15, 2008.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated July 20, 2005.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6077, dated July 25, 2005;
or A300-28-6077, Revision 01, dated October 26, 2006.
[[Page 18963]]
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
[T]he FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation
Regulation 88). * * *
Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for
passenger transport aeroplanes * * * are required to conduct a
design review against explosion risks. The replacement of some types
of P-clips and improvement of the electrical bonding of the
equipment in the fuel tanks [were] are rendered mandatory * * *.
* * * * *
Subsequently, an internal review * * * led * * * to * * * an
additional check [for blue coat] of the bonding points in the centre
tank. * * *
More recently, another internal review [introduced] additional
work [installing bonding points] for aeroplanes under Configuration
03 * * * and additional work [bonding the fuel jettison system--
blanking plates] on the wing tanks for aeroplanes under
Configuration 07 * * *.
The unsafe condition is damage to wiring in the wing, center,
and trim fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the
wiring and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition
source in the wing, center, or trim fuel tanks.
Compliance
(f) 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 Requirements of AD 2008-03-04 With Revised Service
Information
Actions and Compliance
(g) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of
this AD: Within 40 months after March 6, 2008 (the effective date of
AD 2008-03-04), unless already done, do the applicable actions
required by paragraphs (g)(3), (g)(4), and (g)(5) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes (without trim
tank), all serial numbers, except airplanes on which Airbus
Modifications 12226, 12365, 12490, and 12308 have been incorporated
in production, or Airbus Service Bulletins A300-28-6064, Revision
01, dated April 3, 2007; and A300-28-6068, dated July 20, 2005; have
been performed in service.
(2) Airbus Model A300 B4-600R, A300 C4-600R, and A300 F4-600R
series airplanes (fitted with a trim tank), all serial numbers,
except airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 12226, 12365, 12490,
12308, 12294, and 12476 have been incorporated in production, or on
which the service bulletins listed in paragraphs (g)(2)(i),
(g)(2)(ii), and (g)(2)(iii) of this AD have been performed in
service.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 01, dated
April 3, 2007.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated July 20, 2005.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6077, dated July 25, 2005;
or A300-28-6077, Revision 01, dated October 26, 2006.
(3) Remove NSA5516-XXND or NSA5516-XXNJ type P-clips, used in
the wing and center fuel tanks to retain wiring and pipes, and
replace them by NSA5516-XXNF type P-clips in accordance with the
instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated July 20,
2005.
(4) Check the electrical bonding points in the center tank and
do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, and
install additional bonding leads and electrical bonding points in
the wing and center fuel tanks in accordance with the instructions
of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 01, dated April 3,
2007; Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 02,
dated March 10, 2008; Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008; or Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009.
Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions
before further flight. As of the effective date of this AD, only use
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated
August 24, 2009.
(5) For airplanes fitted with a trim tank, in addition to the
actions defined in paragraphs (g)(3) and (g)(4) of this AD, install
bonding leads and electrical bonding points in the trim tanks, in
accordance with the instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-
6077, Revision 01, dated October 26, 2006.
(6) Actions done before March 6, 2008, in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, dated July 28, 2005, for aircraft
under configuration 05, as defined Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, dated July 28, 2005, are considered acceptable for compliance
with the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.
(7) Actions done before March 6, 2008, in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6077, dated July 25, 2005, for aircraft
under configuration 05, as defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
28-6077, dated July 25, 2005, are considered acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g)(5) of this AD.
New Requirments of This AD
Additional Actions
(h) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
applicable actions required by paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3)
of this AD.
(1) For airplanes that have been modified before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, dated July 28, 2005;
Revision 01, dated April 3, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service
Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 02, dated March 10, 2008: Do the
additional work on the center tank specified in Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008,
(i.e., a check for blue coat at additional bonding points and all
applicable related investigative and corrective actions), in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008;
or Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009. Do all applicable related
investigative and corrective actions before further flight.
(2) For configuration 03 airplanes, as defined in Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August
24, 2009, that have been modified before the effective date of this
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 01, dated April 3, 2007; or
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 02, dated
March 10, 2008, or Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008: Do the
additional work on the center tank (i.e., install bonding points),
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August
24, 2009.
(3) For configuration 07 airplanes, as defined in Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August
24, 2009, that have been modified before the effective date of this
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, dated July 28, 2005; Revision 01,
dated April 3, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, Revision 02, dated March 10, 2008, or Revision 03, dated
December 15, 2008: Do the additional work on the wing tanks (i.e.,
bond the fuel jettison system--blanking plates), in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin
A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service
information as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter
must specifically reference this AD. AMOCs approved previously in
accordance with AD 2008-03-04 are approved as AMOCs for the
corresponding provisions of this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
[[Page 18964]]
Related Information
(j) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0074, dated
April 16, 2010, and the service information listed in Table 1 of
this AD, for related information.
Table 1--Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus service information Revision level Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28- 03.......................... December 15, 2008.
6064.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28- 04.......................... August 24, 2009.
6064.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068..... Original.................... July 20, 2005.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6077..... 01.......................... October 26, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8198 Filed 4-5-11; 8:45 am]
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