Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Airplanes and Model A310 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 3, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56258-56262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19206]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27010; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-259-AD; 
Amendment 39-15214; AD 2007-20-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Airplanes and Model 
A310 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A300 and A310 airplanes, and 
certain Model A300-600 series airplanes. That AD currently requires an 
inspection of the wing and center fuel tanks to determine if certain P-
clips are installed and corrective action if necessary. That AD also 
requires an inspection of electrical bonding points of certain 
equipment in the center fuel tank for the presence of a blue coat and 
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That AD also 
requires installation of new bonding leads and electrical bonding 
points on certain equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks, 
as necessary. This new AD requires, for certain airplanes, installation 
of bonding on an additional bracket and modification of the fuel/defuel 
valves on the left-hand wing. This AD results from fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure 
continuous electrical bonding protection of equipment in the wing, 
center, and trim fuel tanks and to prevent damage to wiring in the wing 
and center fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the 
wiring and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source 
in the fuel tanks.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 7, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of November 7, 
2007.
    On August 29, 2006 (71 FR 42026, July 25, 2006), the Director of 
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
other publications listed in the AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Operations 
office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the ground floor of the 
West Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES 
section.

[[Page 56259]]

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2006-15-09, 
amendment 39-14689 (71 FR 42026, July 25, 2006). The existing AD 
applies to all Airbus Model A300, and Model A310 airplanes; and Model 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R 
Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). 
The supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 20, 
2007 (72 FR 33929). The supplemental NPRM proposed to require an 
inspection of the wing and center fuel tanks to determine if certain P-
clips are installed and corrective action if necessary; an inspection 
of electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the center fuel 
tank for the presence of a blue coat and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary; and installation of new bonding leads 
and electrical bonding points on certain equipment in the wing, center, 
and trim fuel tanks, as necessary. That supplemental NPRM also proposed 
to require, for certain airplanes, installation of bonding on an 
additional bracket; and for certain other airplanes, modification of 
the fuel/defuel valves on the left-hand wing.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Request To Revise Compliance Times and To Put New Actions in a Separate 
Rule

    Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of its member American 
Airlines (AA), is concerned with the administrative burden of the 
supplemental NPRM. The commenters point out that the supplemental NPRM 
contains multiple compliance periods for the required actions. The 
commenters believe that the multiple compliance periods should be 
consolidated into one compliance period. AA states that the scope of 
the existing AD along with the work added by the supplemental NPRM 
makes the proposed AD unwieldy to implement. AA states that 
considerable planning and procurement schedules must be accommodated 
for each additional AD, which disrupts planning that is already in 
place. The commenters state that the scope change described in the 
supplemental NPRM would have been more appropriately mandated as a 
separate rule.
    We do not agree that the compliance times should be consolidated 
into one compliance period. In developing the compliance time for this 
AD action, we considered not only the safety implications of the 
identified unsafe condition, but the average utilization rate of the 
affected fleet, the practical aspects of an orderly inspection or 
modification to the fleet during regular maintenance periods, the 
availability of required parts, and the time necessary for the 
rulemaking process. We also considered the compliance periods specified 
by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the airplane 
manufacturer. We have determined that the proposed compliance times 
following the effective date of the AD are appropriate. We have not 
revised the AD in this regard.
    However, we do agree that the scope change in the supplemental NPRM 
is better mandated as a separate rule for reasons the commenters 
stated. Since we issued the supplemental NPRM, the EASA has revised its 
airworthiness directive to 2006-0325 R1, dated July 25, 2007. (We cited 
the original issue of EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0325, dated 
October 23, 2006, as the parallel airworthiness directive in the 
supplemental NPRM.) Revision 1 of the EASA airworthiness directive 
removes the procedures in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064 from its 
stated actions. Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064 includes 
procedures for Model A300-600 series airplanes. That service bulletin 
contains the scope change to which the commenters referred. R1 of the 
EASA airworthiness directive also removes Model A300-600 series 
airplanes from its applicability. As a result, we have revised the AD 
to do the following:
    <bullet> Remove paragraph (k) of the supplemental NPRM. That 
paragraph contains the scope change cited by the commenters. We have 
re-identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly.
    <bullet> Remove Model A300-600 series airplanes from the 
applicability. EASA is considering additional rulemaking regarding the 
unsafe condition for Model A300-600 series airplanes. Once the EASA 
airworthiness directive is approved, we will consider additional 
rulemaking for Model A300-600 series airplanes.
    <bullet> Remove Model A300-600 service bulletins from Table 1 of 
the supplemental NPRM.
    <bullet> Remove the costs information for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes from the Costs of Compliance section.
    <bullet> Revise the Related Information (paragraph (n) of the 
supplemental NPRM) to refer to Revision 1 of the EASA airworthiness 
directive.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments 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

    There are about 92 Model A300 and A310 airplanes of the affected 
design in the U.S. fleet. The following table provides the estimated 
costs, at an average labor rate of $80 per hour, for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD. For some actions, the estimated work hours and 
cost of parts in the following table depend on the airplane 
configuration.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                      Number of U.S.-
             Model                        Action              Work hours         Cost of parts    Cost per  airplane    registered        Fleet cost
                                                                                                                         airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 airplanes.................  Inspect wing and center  40................  None..............  $3,200............              29  $92,800.
                                  fuel tanks for P-clips
                                  (required by AD 2006-
                                  15-09).
                                 Install bonding leads/   Between 136 and     Between $3,800 and  Between $14,680                 29  Between $425,720
                                  points in wing and       155.                $5,200.             and $17,600.                        and $510,400.
                                  center fuel tank
                                  (required by AD 2006-
                                  15-09).
A310 airplanes.................  Inspect wing and center  40................  None..............  $3,200............              63  $201,600.
                                  fuel tanks for P-clips
                                  (required by AD 2006-
                                  15-09).

[[Page 56260]]

 
                                 Install bonding leads/   Between 248 and     Between $8,840 and  Between $28,680                 63  Between $1,806,840
                                  points in wing and       285.                $9,190.             and $31,990.                        and $2,015,370.
                                  center fuel tank
                                  (required by AD 2006-
                                  15-09).
                                 Inspect and install      Between 53 and 61.  Between $50 and     Between $4,290 and              63  Between $270,270
                                  bonding leads/points                         $70.                $4,950.                             and $311,850.
                                  in the trim fuel tank
                                  (required by AD 2006-
                                  15-09).
                                 Install bonding for      2.................  $30...............  $190..............              63  $11,970.
                                  slat track 11 canister
                                  bracket (new action).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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;
    (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 
removing amendment 39-14689 (71 FR 42026, July 25, 2006) and by adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-20-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-15214. Docket No. FAA-2007-27010; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-259-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 7, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-15-09.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Model A300 and A310 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure continuous electrical 
bonding protection of equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel 
tanks and to prevent damage to wiring in the wing and center fuel 
tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring and 
pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in the 
fuel tanks.

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.

Restatement of the Requirements of AD 2006-15-09

Service Bulletin References

    (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in 
Table 1 of this AD, as applicable.

                                      Table 1.--Service Bulletin References
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         And the actions       Use Airbus Service
            For Airbus--                 specified in--            Bulletin--                  Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model A300 airplanes...............  paragraph (g) of this   A300-28-0081..........  July 20, 2005.
                                      AD.
                                     paragraph (h) of this   A300-28-0079..........  September 29, 2005; or
                                      AD.                                             Revision 01, dated June 6,
                                                                                      2006. After the effective
                                                                                      date of this AD, only
                                                                                      Revision 01 may be used.
Model A310 airplanes...............  paragraph (g) of this   A310-28-2143..........  July 20, 2005.
                                      AD.
                                     paragraph (h) of this   A310-28-2142..........  August 26, 2005; or
                                      AD.                                             Revision 01, dated July
                                                                                      17, 2006. After the
                                                                                      effective date of this AD,
                                                                                      only Revision 01 may be
                                                                                      used.

[[Page 56261]]

 
                                     paragraph (i) of this   A310-28-2153..........  July 20, 2005.
                                      AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 59 months after August 29, 2006 (the effective date 
of AD 2006-15-09): Do a general visual inspection of the right and 
left wing fuel tanks and center fuel tank, if applicable, to 
determine if any NSA5516-XXND- and NSA5516-XXNJ-type P-clips are 
installed for retaining wiring and pipes in any tank, and do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight after the 
inspection, by accomplishing all the actions specified in the 
service bulletin.

    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.''

Installation of Bonding Leads and Points for Wing and Center Fuel 
Tanks

    (h) Within 59 months after August 29, 2006: Do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, by 
accomplishing all the actions specified in the service bulletin.
    (1) In the center fuel tank, if applicable, do a general visual 
inspection of the electrical bonding points of the equipment 
identified in the service bulletin for the presence of a blue coat, 
and do all related investigative and corrective actions before 
further flight after the inspection.
    (2) In the left and right wing fuel tanks and center fuel tank, 
if applicable, install bonding leads and electrical bonding points 
on the equipment identified in the service bulletin.

Installation of Bonding Leads and Points for the Trim Fuel Tank

    (i) For Model A310 airplanes equipped with a trim fuel tank: 
Within 59 months after August 29, 2006, install a new bonding 
lead(s) on the water drain system of the trim fuel tank and install 
electrical bonding points on the equipment identified in the service 
bulletin in the trim fuel tank, by accomplishing all the actions 
specified in the service bulletin, as applicable.

New Requirements of This AD

Installation of Bonding for Slat Track Canister 11 Bracket

    (j) For all Model A310 airplanes on which the actions specified 
in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2142, dated August 26, 2005, have 
been done before the effective date of this AD: Within 50 months 
after the effective date of this AD, install bonding for the slat 
track canister 11 bracket, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2142, Revision 01, 
dated July 17, 2006.

Parts Installation

    (k) As of August 29, 2006, no person may install any NSA5516-
XXND-or NSA5516-XXNJ-type P-clip for retaining wiring and pipes in 
any wing, center, or trim fuel tank, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (l)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-15-09 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

Related Information

    (m) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive 
2006-0325 R1, dated July 25, 2007, also addresses the subject of 
this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (n) You must use the service information listed in Table 2 of 
this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise.

                                Table 2.--All Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus Service Bulletin--                  Revision level--                          Date--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-28-0079..........................  Original...........................  September 29, 2005.
A300-28-0079..........................  01.................................  June 6, 2006.
A300-28-0081..........................  Original...........................  July 20, 2005.
A310-28-2142..........................  Original...........................  August 26, 2005.
A310-28-2142..........................  01.................................  July 17, 2006.
A310-28-2143..........................  Original...........................  July 20, 2005.
A310-28-2153..........................  Original...........................  July 20, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service bulletins listed in Table 
3 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

                                Table 3.--New Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus Service Bulletin--                  Revision level--                          Date--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-28-0079..........................  01.................................  June 6, 2006.
A310-28-2142..........................  01.................................  July 17, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 56262]]

    (2) On August 29, 2006 (71 FR 42026, July 25, 2006), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of the service bulletins listed in Table 4 of this AD.

         Table 4.--Material Previously Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Airbus Service  Bulletin--                     Dated--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-28-0079........................  September 29, 2005.
A300-28-0081........................  July 20, 2005.
A310-28-2142........................  August 26, 2005.
A310-28-2143........................  July 20, 2005.
A310-28-2153........................  July 20, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may 
review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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 21, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-19206 Filed 10-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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