Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27305-27308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10159]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8427; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-212-AD; 
Amendment 39-18508; AD 2016-09-10]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-10-10 R1 
for all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series 
airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively 
called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 2007-10-10 R1 required 
revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations 
for fuel tank systems. This new AD requires revising the maintenance 
program or inspection program to incorporate revised fuel maintenance 
and inspection tasks. This AD was prompted by issuance of more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations 
by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of 
ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with 
flammable fuel vapors caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, 
or maintenance actions, could result in fuel tank explosions and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES:  This AD becomes effective June 10, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 10, 
2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
December 28, 2009 (74 FR 65398, December 10, 2009).
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of June 
27, 2007 (72 FR 28827, May 23, 2007).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax 
+33 5 61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@

[[Page 27306]]

airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this 
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. It is also 
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-8427.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
8427; 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 Docket 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2125; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2007-10-10 R1, Amendment 39-16134 (74 FR 65398, 
December 10, 2009) (``AD 2007-10-10 R1''). AD 2007-10-10 R1 applied to 
all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, 
and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model 
A300-600 series airplanes). The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on January 13, 2016 (81 FR 1573) (``the NPRM'').
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0194, dated October 15, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all Airbus Model A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series 
airplanes). The MCAI states:

    Prompted by an accident * * *, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) published Special Federal Aviation Regulation 
(SFAR) 88, [http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/0/EEFB3F94451DC06286256C93004F5E07?OpenDocument&Highlight=sfar 88], 
and the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) published Interim Policy 
INT/POL/25/12. In response to these regulations, Airbus conducted a 
design review to develop Fuel Airworthiness Limitations (FAL) for 
Airbus on A300-600 and A300-600ST aeroplanes.
    The FAL were specified in Airbus A300-600 FAL document ref. 
95A.1929/05 at issue 02 and in the A300-600 [Airworthiness 
Limitation Section] ALS variation to FAL document issue 02 ref. 
0CVLG110007/C0S issue 01, for A300-600 and A300-600ST aeroplanes.
    EASA issued [EASA] AD 2006-0201 to require compliance with the 
FAL documents (comprising maintenance/inspection tasks and Critical 
Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL)).
    EASA AD 2006-0201 was superseded by EASA AD 2007-0095 (later 
revised) [which corresponds to FAA AD 2007-10-10 R1, Amendment 39-
16134 (74 FR 65398, December 10, 2009)], which retained the original 
requirements and corrected and updated the compliance paragraphs 
concerning task ref. 28-18-00-03-1 and CDCCLs.
    Since EASA AD 2007-0095R1 was published, Airbus issued A300-600 
ALS Part 5, prompted by EASA policy statement (EASA D2005/CPRO) 
which requests design approval holders to integrate Fuel Tank Safety 
items into an ALS document. The A300-600 ALS Part 5 is approved by 
EASA.
    Failure to comply with the items as identified in Airbus A300-
600 ALS Part 5 could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent 
loss of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2007-0095R1, which is superseded, and 
requires implementation of the new and more restrictive maintenance 
instructions and/or airworthiness limitations as specified in Airbus 
A300-600 ALS Part 5.

    The unsafe condition is the potential of ignition sources inside 
fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors caused by 
latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, could 
result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane. You 
may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
8427.

Comments

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

Explanation of Changes Made in This AD

    We have corrected certain paragraph references in paragraph (g) and 
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD.
    We have revised certain document citations in paragraph (h) of this 
AD. This change is necessary to meet the Office of the Federal 
Register's requirements for documents that are incorporated by 
reference in this AD.
    We have also determined that the compliance time for revising the 
ALS to incorporate certain CDCCLs specified in paragraph (i) of this AD 
should be within 12 months after June 27, 2007 (the effective date of 
AD 2007-10-10, Amendment 39-15051 (72 FR 28827, May 23, 2007) (``AD 
2007-10-10'')). The compliance time stated in the proposed AD was 
``Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.'' We have 
revised paragraph (i) of this AD accordingly. The proposed AD clearly 
indicated that we intended to restate the requirements of that 
paragraph from the previous AD, with no changes.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously, except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that 
these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section Part 
5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 00, dated May 27, 2014. The 
airworthiness limitations introduce mandatory instructions and more 
restrictive maintenance requirements. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 122 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2007-10-10 R1, and retained in this AD 
take about 2 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 
per work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
actions that were required by AD 2007-10-10 R1 is $170 per product.

[[Page 27307]]

    We also estimate that it takes about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost $0 per product. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 
$10,370, or $85 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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2007-10-10 R1, Amendment 39-16134 (74 FR 65398, December 10, 2009), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-09-10 Airbus: Amendment 39-18508. Docket No. FAA-2015-8427; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-212-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 10, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2007-10-10 R1, Amendment 39-16134 (74 FR 
65398, December 10, 2009) (``AD 2007-10-10 R1'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-
600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes), certificated 
in any category, all manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by Airbus issuing more restrictive 
instructions and/or fuel airworthiness limitations. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel 
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors caused by 
latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, could 
result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Retained Revision of the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) To 
Incorporate Fuel Maintenance and Inspection Tasks, With Corrected 
Paragraph References

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD 
2007-10-10 R1, with corrected paragraph references. Within 3 months 
after June 27, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-10-10, Amendment 
39-15051 (72 FR 28827, May 23, 2007) (``AD 2007-10-10'')), revise 
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to 
incorporate Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness 
Limitations, dated May 31, 2006, as defined in Section 1, 
``Maintenance/Inspection Tasks,'' of Airbus A300-600 Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1929/05, Issue 1, dated 
December 19, 2005; or Airbus A300-600 Fuel Airworthiness 
Limitations, Document 95A.1929/05, Issue 2, dated May 16, 2007. For 
all tasks identified in Section 1 of these documents, the initial 
compliance times start from the later of the times specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, and the repetitive 
inspections must be accomplished thereafter at the intervals 
specified in Section 1 of these documents, except as provided by 
paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (1) June 27, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-10-10).
    (2) The date of issuance of the original French standard 
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original 
French export certificate of airworthiness.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Airbus Operator Information 
Telex (OIT) SE 999.0076/06, dated June 20, 2006, identifies the 
applicable sections of the Airbus A300-600 Airplane Maintenance 
Manual for accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of 
Document 95A.1929/05.

(h) Retained Revision of Initial Compliance Time for Task 28-18-00-03-
1, With Revised Document Citations

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2007-10-10 R1, with revised document citations. For Task 28-18-00-
03-1, ``Operational check of low-level/underfull/calibration 
sensors,'' identified in Section 1, ``Maintenance/Inspection Tasks'' 
of Airbus A300-600 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 
95A.1929/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005; or Airbus A300-600 
Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1929/05, Issue 2, dated 
May 16, 2007: The initial compliance time is the later of the times 
specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD. Thereafter, 
Task 28-18-00-03-1 must be accomplished at the repetitive interval 
specified in Section 1 of these documents.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 40,000 total flight hours.
    (2) Within 72 months or 20,000 flight hours after June 27, 2007 
(the effective date of AD 2007-10-10), whichever occurs first.

(i) Retained Revision of the ALS To Incorporate CDCCLs, With Revised 
Compliance Time

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2007-10-10 R1, with a revised compliance time. Within 12 months 
after June 27, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-10-10), revise 
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to 
incorporate Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness 
Limitations, dated May 31, 2006, as defined in Section 2, ``Critical 
Design Configuration Control Limitations,'' of Airbus A300-600 Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1929/05, Issue 1, dated 
December 19, 2005; or Airbus A300-600 Fuel Airworthiness 
Limitations, Document 95A.1929/05, Issue 2, dated May 16, 2007.

(j) New Requirement of This AD: Revise the Maintenance or Inspection 
Program

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating 
the airworthiness limitations as specified in

[[Page 27308]]

Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section Part 5--Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 00, dated May 27, 2014. The 
initial compliance times for the actions specified in Airbus A300-
600 Airworthiness Limitations Section Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness 
Limitations, Revision 00, dated May 27, 2014, are at the later of 
the times specified in Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 00, dated 
May 27, 2014, or within 3 months after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later. Accomplishing the revision required by 
this paragraph terminates the actions required by paragraphs (g) 
through (i) of this AD.

(k) New Requirement of This AD: No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/
or CDCCLs

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections), intervals, and/or CDCCLs may be used unless the 
actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are approved as an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-114, 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 Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-2125; 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions 
from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0194, dated October 15, 
2014, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-8427.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(6) and (n)(7) of this AD.

(n) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
June 10, 2016.
    (i) Airbus A300-600 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), 
Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 00, dated May 27, 
2014. The issue date of this document is not identified on the title 
page.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
December 28, 2009 (74 FR 65398, December 10, 2009).
    (i) Airbus A300-600 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 
95A.1929/05, Issue 2, dated May 16, 2007.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (5) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
June 27, 2007 (72 FR 28827, May 23, 2007).
    (i) Airbus A300-600 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, 
dated May 31, 2006.
    (ii) Airbus A300-600 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 1, 
dated December 19, 2005.
    (6) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (7) You may view this 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.
    (8) 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 April 21, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10159 Filed 5-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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