Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1274-1276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-258]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-229-AD; Amendment 39-9483; AD 96-01-07]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. This 
action requires a one-time inspection to verify that the attachment 
screws at a pressure switch located on the trim tank fuel transfer line 
are properly torqued, and that lockwires are installed. This amendment 
is prompted by reports of loose screws and missing lockwires at this 
attachment. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
loose or missing screws, which could allow fuel 

[[Page 1275]]
to leak from the pressure switch connection; if a leak were to occur 
during flight with a full trim tank, there would be no warning 
indication to the flight crew, and the airplane may not have enough 
fuel to complete the flight safely.

DATES: Effective February 5, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 5, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 19, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-229-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2589; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has notified 
the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330 
and A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, on several production 
airplanes prior to delivery, the two screws that are used to install 
pressure switch 7QC, which is located on the trim tank fuel transfer 
line, were found to be loose. In two cases, the screws were neither 
lockwired nor properly torqued. In two other cases, lockwires were 
present, but the screws were not torqued to the correct value. This 
condition, if not corrected, could allow fuel to leak from the pressure 
switch connection. If a leak were to occur during flight with a full 
trim tank, there would be no warning indication to the flight crew, and 
the airplane may not have enough fuel to complete the flight safely.
    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex 28-05, dated December 28, 
1994, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of the 
attachment screws of the pressure switch at the 7QC connection for 
correct torque value and proper lockwiring. The AOT also provides 
instructions for correcting these discrepancies if identified during 
the inspection. The DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued 
French airworthiness directive (CN) 95-009-007(B) (applicable to Model 
A330 series airplanes), and CN 95-010-015(B) (for Model A340 series 
airplanes), both dated January 18, 1995, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent fuel leakage 
from the trim tank fuel transfer line due to loose attachment screws at 
the pressure switch 7QC connection. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the attachment screws of the pressure switch at the 7QC 
connection for correct torque value and proper lockwiring, and 
correction of any discrepancies found. The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the Airbus AOT described previously.
    None of the Model A330 or A340 series airplanes affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$60 per airplane.
    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-229-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 

[[Page 1276]]
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. A final evaluation has been prepared 
for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 
may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under 
the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

96-01-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-9483. Docket 95-NM-229-AD.
    Applicability: Model A330 series airplanes having manufacturer's 
serial number (MSN) 030, 037, 045, 054, 055, 059, 060, 062, or 070; 
and Model A340 series airplanes having MSN 005 through 009 
inclusive, 011, 013 through 016 inclusive, 018 through 029 
inclusive, 031, 032, 033, 035, 036, 038, 039, 040, 043, 046 through 
049 inclusive, 051, 052, 053, 057, 058, 063, 074, 076, or 082; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fuel leakage from the trim tank fuel transfer line 
due to loose attachment screws at the pressure switch 7QC 
connection, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the attachment screws at the pressure switch 7QC connection 
for proper torque value and lockwiring, in accordance with Airbus 
All Operators Telex (AOT) 28-05, dated December 28, 1994.
    (1) If any screw is not torqued to the correct value specified 
in the AOT, prior to further flight, torque the screw to that value.
    (2) If any lockwire is missing, prior to further flight, install 
a lockwire in accordance with the AOT.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The inspection and correction of discrepancies shall be done 
in accordance with Airbus All Operator Telex 28-05, dated December 
28, 1994. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 5, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 3, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-258 Filed 1-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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