[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37019-37022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14437]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-128-AD; Amendment 39-11772; AD 2000-11-23]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series
airplanes, that requires an inspection to detect damage of the
electrical bonding leads in specified locations of the fuel tanks, and
replacement of any damaged
[[Page 37020]]
electrical bonding leads with serviceable electrical bonding leads. For
certain airplanes, this amendment also requires modifying the fuel pipe
couplings in specified locations of the fuel tank. This amendment is
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent electrical arcing/discharge in the fuel
tank due to damaged electrical bonding leads or inadequate electrical
bonding of the fuel pipe couplings, which could result in fuel ignition
and consequent uncontained rupture of the fuel tank.
DATES: Effective July 18, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 18, 2000.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A300, A310, and
A300-600 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
March 27, 2000 (65 FR 16151). That action proposed to require an
inspection to detect damage of the electrical bonding leads in
specified locations of the fuel tanks, and replacement of any damaged
electrical bonding leads with serviceable electrical bonding leads. For
certain airplanes, that action also proposed to require modifying the
fuel pipe couplings in specified locations of the fuel tank.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 116 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
It will take between 70 and 80 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $487,200 and
$556,800, or between $4,200 and $4,800 per airplane.
It will take between 77 and 103 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $104 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required
modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $547,984 and
$728,944, or between $4,724 and $6,284 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2000-11-23 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11772. Docket 99-NM-128-
AD.
Applicability: All Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series
airplanes, 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent electrical arcing/discharge in the fuel tank due to
damaged electrical bonding leads or inadequate electrical bonding of
the fuel pipe couplings, which could result in fuel ignition and
consequent uncontained rupture of the fuel tank, accomplish the
following:
Inspection
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time inspection to detect damage (i.e., breakage,
fraying, abrasion damage, looseness of the outer metal braid
protection in the end crimp, looseness of the outer metal braid
protection on the bonding lead inner core, corrosion, or missing
leads) of the electrical bonding leads in specified locations of the
fuel tanks, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletins A300-28-0072, Revision 01, dated October
01, 1998, including Appendix 1, dated October 01, 1998, and Appendix
2, dated February 20, 1998 (for
[[Page 37021]]
Model A300 series airplanes); A310-28-2128, Revision 01, dated
October 01, 1998, including Appendix 1, dated October 01, 1998, and
Appendix 2, dated February 20, 1998 (for Model A310 series
airplanes); or A300-28-6057, Revision 01, dated October 01, 1998,
including Appendix 1, dated October 01, 1998, and Appendix 2, dated
February 20, 1998 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); as
applicable.
Note 2: Inspection of the area specified in paragraph (a) of
this AD accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletins A300-28-0072, A310-28-2128,
or A300-28-6057; all dated February 20, 1998; as applicable; is
considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of
paragraph (a) of this AD.
Replacement
(b) If any electrical bonding lead is damaged, prior to further
flight, replace the bonding lead with a serviceable bonding lead in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin specified in
paragraph (a) of this AD.
Modification
(c) For airplanes on which Airbus Industrie Modification 11847
(for Model A310 series airplanes) or 11848 (for Model A300/A300-600
series airplanes) has not been accomplished, within 36 months after
the effective date of this AD, modify the fuel pipe couplings in the
specified locations of the fuel tank in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletins A300-28-
0073, Revision 01, dated October 01, 1998 (for Model A300 series
airplanes); A310-28-2130, Revision 01, dated October 01, 1998 (for
Model A310 series airplanes); or A300-28-6058, Revision 01, dated
October 01, 1998 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); as
applicable.
Note 3: Modification of the fuel pipe couplings accomplished
prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletins A300-28-0073, A310-28-2130, or A300-28-6058; all
dated February 20, 1998; as applicable; is considered acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(e) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following
Airbus service bulletins, as applicable:
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Revision level shown on
Service bulletin No. Page No. page Date shown on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-28-0072, Revision 01, October 1-14................. 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
01, 1998.
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Appendix 1
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1-21, 23-25, 27, 29- Original.................. Feb. 20, 1998.
36, 38-84, 88-95, 97-
166.
22, 26, 28, 37, 85- 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
87, 96.
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Appendix 2
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1-54................. Original.................. Feb. 20, 1998.
A310-28-2128, Revision 01, October 1-14................. 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
01, 1998.
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Appendix 1
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1-30, 32-83, 85-87, Original.................. Feb. 20, 1998.
89-95, 97-221, 223-
226.
31, 84, 88, 96, 222.. 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
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Appendix 2
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1-56................. Original.................. Feb. 20, 1998
A300-28-6057, Revision 01, October 1-14................. 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
01, 1998
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Appendix 1
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1-18, 21-25, 27-29, Original.................. Feb. 20, 1998.
31, 33, 34, 36, 38,
40, 42, 44-78, 81-
85, 87-89, 91, 93,
94, 96, 98-100, 102,
104-229, 231-234.
19, 20, 26, 30, 32, 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
35, 37, 39, 41, 43,
79, 80, 86, 90, 92,
95, 97, 101, 103,
230.
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Appendix 2
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1-54................. Original.................. Feb. 20, 1998.
A300-28-0073, Revision 01, October 1-67................. 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
01, 1998.
A310-28-2130, Revision 01, October 1-91................. 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
01, 1998.
A300-28-6058, Revision 01, October 1-67................. 01........................ Oct. 01, 1998.
01, 1998.
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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
[[Page 37022]]
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 98-174-248(B), dated April 22, 1998.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14437 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
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