Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 3, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15812-15814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5886]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-26812; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-199-AD; 
Amendment 39-15006; AD 2007-07-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
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), which applies to certain Airbus Model A318-100, A319-100, A320-
200, A321-100, and A321-200 series airplanes; and Model A320-111 
airplanes. That AD currently requires modification of the electrical 
bonding of all structures and systems installed inside the center fuel 
tank. This new AD requires modification of additional bonding points 
inside the center fuel tank. This AD results from a report that 
additional bonding points need to be modified in order to prevent 
electrical arcing in the center fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent electrical arcing in the center fuel tank due to inadequate 
bonding, which could result in an explosion of the center fuel tank and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 8, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 8, 2007.
    On October 26, 2005 (70 FR 55228, September 21, 2005), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, Revision 01, dated December 8, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2005-19-14, amendment 
39-14279 (70 FR 55228, September 21, 2005). The existing AD applies to 
certain Airbus Model A318-100, A319-100, A320-200, A321-100, and A321-
200 series airplanes; and Model A320-111 airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1467). 
That NPRM proposed to continue to require modification of the 
electrical bonding of all structures and systems installed inside the 
center fuel tank. That NPRM also proposed to require modification of 
additional bonding points inside the center fuel tank.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD. There are approximately 720 U.S.-registered 
airplanes. The average labor rate is $80 per work hour.

[[Page 15813]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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             Action                   Work hours             Parts         Cost per airplane      Fleet cost
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Modification of electrical        Between 49 and 64.  Between $10 and     Between $3,930 and  Between $2,829,600
 bonding (required by AD 2005-19-                      $370.               $5,490.             and $3,952,800.
 14).
Modification of additional        Between 6 and 7     $100..............  Between $580 and    Between $417,600
 bonding points (new action).      hours.                                  $660.               and $475,200.
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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 39-14279 (70 FR 55228, September 21, 2005) and by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-07-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-15006. FAA-2007-26812; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NM-199-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective May 8, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-19-14.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
airplanes; certificated in any category; except airplanes that have 
received Airbus Modification 31892 in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that additional bonding points 
need to be modified in order to prevent electrical arcing in the 
center fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical 
arcing in the center fuel tank due to inadequate bonding, which 
could result in an explosion of the center fuel tank and consequent 
loss of the airplane.

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 2005-19-14

Modification

    (f) Within 58 months after October 26, 2005 (the effective date 
of AD 2005-19-14): Modify the electrical bonding of all structures 
and systems installed inside the center fuel tank by accomplishing 
all of the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, Revision 01, 
dated December 8, 2004; Revision 02, dated February 21, 2005; or 
Revision 03, including Appendix 01, dated February 23, 2006. After 
the effective date of this AD, only Revision 03 may be used.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of the Service 
Bulletin

    (g) Actions done before October 26, 2005, in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, dated December 2, 2003, are 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of 
paragraph (f) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Modification (Additional Bonding Points)

    (h) For airplanes on which the actions specified in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, dated December 2, 2003; Revision 01, 
dated December 8, 2004; or Revision 02, dated February 21, 2005; 
have been done before the effective date of this AD: Within 78 
months after the effective date of this AD, modify the electrical 
bonding of the structures and systems identified in the additional 
actions specified in paragraph 3.B.(3) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, Revision 03, 
including Appendix 01, dated February 23, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-19-14, 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph 
(f) of this AD.

Related Information

    (j) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive 
2006-0176, dated June 26, 2006, also addresses the subject of this 
AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the service information identified in Table 1 
of this AD, as applicable, to perform the actions that are required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

[[Page 15814]]



            Table 1.--All Material Incorporated by Reference
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                                   Revision
    Airbus Service Bulletin         level                Date
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A320-28-1104...................           01  December 8, 2004.
A320-28-1104...................           02  February 21, 2005.
A320-28-1104, including                   03  February 23, 2006.
 Appendix 01.
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    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the documents identified in Table 2 of 
this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

            Table 2.--New Material Incorporated by Reference
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                                   Revision
    Airbus Service Bulletin         level                Date
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A320-28-1104...................           02  February 21, 2005.
A320-28-1104, including                   03  February 23, 2006.
 Appendix 01.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) On October 26, 2005 (70 FR 55228, September 21, 2005), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1104, Revision 01, 
dated December 8, 2004.
    (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 March 22, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-5886 Filed 4-2-07; 8:45 am]
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