Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52758-52761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18483]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8468; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-208-AD; 
Amendment 39-18605; AD 2016-16-07]
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) 2007-21-14 R1 
for all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. AD 2007-21-14 R1 required 
revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section 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 the 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 September 14, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
14, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
November 20, 2007 (72 FR 58499, October 16, 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 [email protected]; 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 Number FAA-
2015-8468.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket Number FAA-
2015-8468; 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 street address for the Docket 
Operations office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.

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 2007-21-14 R1, Amendment 39-16061 (74 FR 55123, 
October 27, 2009) (``AD 2007-21-14 R1''). AD 2007-21-14 R1 applied to 
all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on January 20, 2016 (81 FR 3066) (``the NPRM''). The 
NPRM was prompted by the issuance of more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and/or airworthiness limitations by the manufacturer. The 
NPRM proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2007-21-14 R1, and 
require more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or 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.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0193, 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 A310 
series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Prompted by an accident * * *, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) published Special Federal Aviation Regulation 
(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 A310 aeroplanes.
    The FAL were specified in Airbus A310 FAL document ref. 
95A.1930/05 at issue 02 and in the A310 Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) variation to FAL document issue 02, ref. 0BVLG110006/
C0S issue 01, for A310 aeroplanes.
    EASA issued [EASA] AD 2006-0202 to require compliance with the 
FAL documents (comprising maintenance/inspection tasks and Critical 
Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL)).
    EASA AD 2006-0202 was superseded by EASA AD 2007-0096 (later 
revised) [which corresponds to FAA AD 2007-21-14 R1], which retained 
the original requirements and

[[Page 52759]]

corrected and updated the compliance paragraphs concerning task ref. 
28-18-00-03-1 and CDCCL's.
    Since EASA AD 2007-0096R1 [which corresponds to FAA AD 2007-21-
14 R1] was published, Airbus issued A310 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 A310 ALS Part 5 is approved by EASA.
    Failure to comply with the items as identified in Airbus A310 
ALS Part 5 could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 
of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD * * * requires 
implementation of the new and more restrictive maintenance 
instructions and/or airworthiness limitations as specified in Airbus 
A310 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-
8468.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM. The 
Air Line Pilots Association International supported the intent of the 
NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, with 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 A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) 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 23 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2007-21-14 R1 and retained in this AD 
take about 2 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 
per work-hour. Required parts cost $0 per product. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the actions that were required by AD 
2007-21-14 R1 is $170 per product.
    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 about $0 per product. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $1,955, 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) 
2007-21-14 R1, Amendment 39-16061 (74 FR 55123, October 27, 2009), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-16-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-18605; Docket No. FAA-2015-8468; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-208-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 14, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2007-21-14 R1, Amendment 39-16061 (74 FR 
55123, October 27, 2009) (``AD 2007-21-14 R1'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -
304, -322, -324, and -325 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 the 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.

(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 No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD 
2007-21-14 R1, with no

[[Page 52760]]

changes. Within 3 months after November 20, 2007 (the effective date 
of AD 2007-21-14, Amendment 39-15232, (72 FR 58499, October 16, 
2007) (``AD 2007-21-14'')), revise the ALS of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A310 ALS Part 5--Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, dated May 31, 2006, as defined in Airbus 
A310 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1930/05, Issue 2, 
dated May 11, 2007 (approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) on July 6, 2007), Section 1, ``Maintenance/Inspection 
Tasks.'' For all tasks identified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1930/
05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007, 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 
Document 95A.1930/05, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this 
AD.
    (1) November 20, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-21-14).
    (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 SE 999.0079/07, Revision 01, dated August 14, 2007, identifies 
the applicable sections of the Airbus A310 Airplane Maintenance 
Manual necessary for accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 
of Document 95A.1930/05.

(h) Retained Revision of Initial Compliance Time for Task 28-18-00-03-
1, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2007-21-14 R1, with no changes. For Task 28-18-00-03-1 identified in 
Section 1 of Document 95A.1930/05, ``Maintenance/Inspection Tasks,'' 
of Airbus A310 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1930/05, 
Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007 (approved by the EASA on July 6, 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 identified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1930/05, ``Maintenance/
Inspection Tasks,'' of Airbus A310 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, 
Document 95A.1930/05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007 (approved by the 
EASA on July 6, 2007), must be accomplished at the repetitive 
interval specified in Section 1 of Airbus A310 Fuel Airworthiness 
Limitations, Document 95A.1930/05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007 
(approved by the EASA on July 6, 2007).
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 40,000 total flight hours.
    (2) Within 72 months or 20,000 flight hours after November 20, 
2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-21-14), whichever occurs first.

(i) Retained Revision of the ALS To Incorporate Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2007-21-14 R1, with no changes. Within 12 months after November 20, 
2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-21-14), revise the ALS of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A310 
ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated May 31, 2006, as 
defined in Airbus A310 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 
95A.1930/05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007 (approved by the EASA on 
July 6, 2007), Section 2, ``Critical Design Configuration Control 
Limitations.''

(j) Retained No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or 
CDCCLs, With New Paragraph Reference

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2007-21-14 R1, with a new paragraph reference. Except as provided by 
paragraphs (k) and (m)(1) of this AD: After accomplishing the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD, no 
alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be 
used.

(k) 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 Airbus A310 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness 
Limitations, Revision 00, dated May 27, 2014. The initial compliance 
times for the actions specified Airbus A310 ALS Part 5--Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 00, dated May 27, 2014, are at 
the later of the times specified in Airbus A310 ALS 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.

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

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (k) 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 (m)(1) of this AD.

(m) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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. 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.
    (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 EASA) or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(n) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0193, 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-2015-8468.

(o) 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 
September 14, 2016.
    (i) Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 5--
Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 00, dated May 27, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 20, 2007 (72 FR 58499, October 16, 2007).
    (i) Airbus A310 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, 
dated May 31, 2006.
    (ii) Airbus A310 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 
95A.1930/05, Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Issue 2, dated 
May 11, 2007.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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.


[[Page 52761]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18483 Filed 8-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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