Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57784-57786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0463; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-165-AD; 
Amendment 39-17584; AD 2013-19-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by a report that a certain wire harness located in the 
tail cone has wiring of a narrower gauge than design requires. This AD 
requires replacing the affected wire harness. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent damage to the affected wiring, which could create an ignition 
source in an area that might contain fuel vapors, possibly resulting in 
an uncontrolled fire and subsequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 25, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 25, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS--
Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; 
email [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, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 227-1138; 
fax: (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2013 (78 FR 
37498). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0182, dated September 11, 2012 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    On a production aeroplane, it has been discovered that wires in 
harness 5877VB, installed in the Tail Cone (Section 19.1) and 
connected to the Auxiliary Power Unit starter, have a section 
smaller [narrower] than required by design. Section 19 is a 
flammable fluid leakage zone, adjacent to a fuel tank (trim tank) 
and is open with Section

[[Page 57785]]

19.1. The results of the investigation show that this issue is a 
manufacturing quality issue. Airbus identified a list of other 
aeroplanes that are affected.
    This condition, if not corrected, could damage the wiring which 
may create an ignition source in an area that may contain fuel 
vapours, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire and subsequent 
loss of the aeroplane.
* * * * *
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
replacement of the affected wiring harness.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 37498, June 21, 
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 37498, June 21, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 37498, June 21, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects 
about 1 product of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take 
about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of 
this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts 
will cost about $2,920 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 parts. 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 this AD on U.S. operators to be $3,260, or $3,260 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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

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 AD, the MCAI, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 adding the following new AD:

2013-19-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-17584. Docket No. FAA-2013-0463; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-165-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 25, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
223F, -243 -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes; certificated in any category; manufacturer 
serial numbers 1070, 1127, 1133, 1135, 1137, 1138, 1141, 1143, 1145, 
1146, 1147, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1153, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1159, 1160, 
1161, 1165, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1177, 1178, 
1181, 1183, 1184, 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1191, 1195, 1196, and 
1202.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that a certain wire harness 
located in the tail cone has wiring of a narrower gauge than design 
requires. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the affected 
wiring, which could create an ignition source in an area that might 
contain fuel vapors, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire and 
subsequent loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Actions

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
wiring harness 5877VB located in section 19.1, Frame 91 to Frame 96, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-92-3116, dated April 25, 2012.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local

[[Page 57786]]

Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 227-1138; fax: (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
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.
    (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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information European 
Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012-0182, dated 
September 11, 2012, for related information, which can be found in 
the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-92-3116, dated April 
25, 2012
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on September 9, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22542 Filed 9-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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