Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-620, A310-304, A310-324, and A310-325 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58303-58304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19844]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22032; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-049-AD; 
Amendment 39-14308; AD 2005-20-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-620, A310-304, 
A310-324, and A310-325 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 A300 B4-620, A310-304, A310-324, and A310-325 
airplanes. This AD requires installing fused adaptors between the 
external wiring harness and the in-tank wiring at the connectors on the 
fuel tank wall of the auxiliary center tank (ACT). This AD results from 
fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent an ignition source in the ACT, which, in combination with 
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 10, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of November 10, 
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 Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; 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 
A300 B4-620, A310-304, A310-324, and A310-325 airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2005 (70 FR 45587). That 
NPRM proposed to require installing fused adaptors between the external 
wiring harness and the in-tank wiring at the connectors on the fuel 
tank wall of the auxiliary center tank (ACT).

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this AD to clarify the appropriate procedure for 
notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 2 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions 
take about 52 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Required parts cost about $5,410 per ACT (up to two ACTs 
per airplane). Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for 
U.S. operators is $8,790 per ACT, per airplane.
    Currently, there are no Model A300 B4-620 airplanes of U.S. 
registry with one or more ACTs. However, if an affected airplane is 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the required 
actions would take about 52 work hours, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Required parts would cost about $10,730 per ACT, per 
airplane. Based on these figures, we

[[Page 58304]]

estimate the cost of this AD to be $14,110 per ACT.

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;
    (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):

2005-20-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-14308. Docket No. FAA-2005-22032; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-049-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 10, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-620, A310-304, A310-
324, and A310-325 airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped 
with one or more auxiliary center tank (ACT), except those on which 
Airbus Modification 12471 has been accomplished in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent an 
ignition source in the ACT, which, in combination with flammable 
fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent 
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.

Modification

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Install fused adaptors between the external wiring harness and the 
in-tank wiring at the connectors on the fuel tank wall of the ACT by 
doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the applicable service bulletin in Table 1 of this AD.

                   Table 1.--Airbus Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Airbus Service Bulletin            Date                Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-28-6073..................  December 23, 2004  A300 B4-620
                                                    airplanes.
A310-28-2149..................  September 29,      A310-304, A310-324,
                                 2004.              and A310-325
                                                    airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, 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

    (h) French airworthiness directive F-2005-021, dated February 2, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6073, dated 
December 23, 2004; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2149, dated 
September 29, 2004; as applicable, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 26, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19844 Filed 10-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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