Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61720-61721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21312]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22170; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-073-AD; 
Amendment 39-14349; AD 2005-22-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and 
-231 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 A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. This AD 
requires, for certain airplanes, modifying the cables and access holes 
to the inner tank fuel pumps; and, for certain other airplanes, 
inspecting the fuel pump access holes and modifying the access holes, 
if necessary. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel 
pump cables, which could result in electrical arcing and possible 
ignition of fuel vapors and consequent explosion of the fuel tank.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 30, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of November 30, 
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 Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2141; 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 
A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. That NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on August 23, 2005 (70 FR 49213). That NPRM 
proposed to require, for certain airplanes, modifying the cables and 
access holes to the inner tank fuel pumps; and, for certain other 
airplanes, inspecting the fuel pump access holes and modifying the 
access holes, if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received. The 
commenter supports the NPRM.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

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

Editorial Change

    As stated in the ``Relevant Service Information'' section of the 
NPRM, Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1054, dated August 23, 1993, 
describes procedures for performing an inspection, and ``as applicable, 
modifying the fuel pump access holes.'' We have revised paragraph 
(f)(2) of the final rule to state ``* * * modify the access holes, as 
applicable * * *'' instead of ``* * * modify the access holes, as 
necessary * * *.''

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 17 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
actions will be performed at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour, and any needed parts will be supplied from operator inventory.
    For about 7 U.S.-registered airplanes subject to Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1008, Revision 1, dated April 10, 1989, the 
modification will take about 3 work hours. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of this modification for U.S. operators is $1,365, or 
$195 per airplane.
    For about 10 U.S.-registered airplanes subject to Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1054, dated August 23, 1993, the inspection will take 
about 1 work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this 
inspection for U.S. operators is $650, or $65 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 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;

[[Page 61721]]

    (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):

2005-22-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-14349. Docket No. FAA-2005-22170; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-073-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 30, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -
231 airplanes, certificated in any category, that have not received 
Airbus Modification 21088 or 21999 in production; and airplanes that 
have received Airbus Modification 21088 in production and have 
manufacturer's serial numbers 91 to 113 inclusive and 140 to 189 
inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel systems reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel 
pump cables, which could result in electrical arcing and possible 
ignition of fuel vapors and consequent 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.

Inspection and Modification of Fuel Pump Access Holes

    (f) Within 58 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes that have not received Airbus Modification 
21088 or 21999 in production: Modify the cables and access holes to 
the inner tank fuel pumps, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1008, Revision 1, 
dated April 10, 1989.
    (2) For airplanes that have received Airbus Modification 21088 
in production and have manufacturer's serial numbers 91 to 113 
inclusive and 140 to 189 inclusive: Perform a general visual 
inspection for the correct radius of the fuel pump access holes and 
modify the access holes, as applicable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1054, 
dated August 23, 1993. Do any applicable repairs before further 
flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

No Reporting Requirement

    (g) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1054, dated August 
23, 1993, describes procedures for reporting inspection findings to 
Airbus, this AD does not require that report.

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-2005-031, dated February 
16, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the service information identified in Table 1 
of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-
1008, Revision 1, dated April 10, 1989, contains the following 
effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision level      Date  shown on
            Page No.                 shown on page           page
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1, 2, 7-9.......................  1.................  April 10, 1989.
3-6.............................  Original..........  February 9, 1989.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

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     Airbus service bulletin        Revision level           Date
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A320-28-1008....................  1.................  April 10, 1989.
A320-28-1054....................  Original..........  August 23, 1993.
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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21312 Filed 10-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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