[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18769]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 3, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-106-AD; Amendment 39-8990; AD 94-16-01]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A340-211 and -
311 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model A340-211 and -311 series 
airplanes. This action requires modifying the bonding leads on the fuel 
quantity indicating (FQI) probes or the temperature sensor, on the fuel 
low pressure inlet pipe next to the compensator, and on the jet pump. 
This amendment is prompted by results of a quality survey, which 
revealed that there may be insufficient clearance between several 
bonding leads and certain FQI system probes or the temperature sensor, 
and between the bonding leads and the FQI probes and the compensator. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to eliminate such 
insufficient clearance, which could lead to electrical arcing and a 
resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.

DATES: Effective August 18, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 18, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-106-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: Steve Slotte, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus 
Industrie Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes. The DGAC advises 
that results of a quality survey conducted by Airbus Industrie have 
revealed that there may be insufficient clearance between several 
bonding leads and certain fuel quantity indicating (FQI) system probes 
or the temperature sensor. Further, insufficient clearance also may 
exist between the bonding leads and the FQI probes in the inner 
collector cell and the compensator. Such insufficient clearance, if not 
corrected, could result in electrical arcing and a resultant fire in 
the event of a lightning strike.
    Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletin A340-28-4008, dated 
July 9, 1993, which describes procedures for modifying the bonding 
leads on the FQI probes or the temperature sensor. This modification 
involves installing shorter bonding leads and/or rerouting certain 
bonding leads on the water drain pipe, the engine fuel feed pipe, the 
fuel recirculation pipe, the vent pipe, and the surge tank drain pipe. 
Accomplishment of this modification will maintain the correct clearance 
between the bonding leads and the FQI probes or the temperature sensor. 
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French Airworthiness Directive 93-120-002(B), dated August 4, 1993, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.
    Airbus Industrie also has issued Service Bulletin A340-28-4012, 
dated November 8, 1993, which describes procedures for modifying the 
bonding leads on the fuel low pressure inlet pipe (next to the 
compensator) and on the jet pump. This action involves installing a 
sleeve on the bonding lead on the fuel pipe at certain FQI probes in 
the inner collector cell and installing shorter bonding leads on the 
fuel pipe at the compensator. Accomplishment of this modification will 
maintain the correct clearance between the bonding leads and the FQI 
probes and compensator. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued French Airworthiness Directive 93-206-003(B), 
dated December 8, 1993, 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 
Sec. 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 electrical 
arcing and a resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike. This AD 
requires modifying the bonding leads on the FQI probes or the 
temperature sensor, on the fuel low pressure inlet pipe next to the 
compensator, and on the jet pump. The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.
    There currently are no Model A340-211 or -311 series airplanes 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 63 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $55 per 
work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no 
cost to operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this AD would be $3,465 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 94-NM-106-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 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

94-16-01 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8990. Docket 94-NM-106-AD.

    Applicability: Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes on which 
Airbus Industrie Modifications 42337 and 42338 (reference Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4012) have not been installed; 
and on which Airbus Industrie Modification 42038 (reference Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4008) has not been installed; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within 100 landings after the effective 
date of this AD, sunless accomplished previously.
    To prevent electrical arcing and a resultant fire in the event 
of a lightning strike, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the bonding leads on the water drain pipe, engine 
fuel feed pipe, fuel recalculation pipe, vent pipe, and surge tank 
drain pipe in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin 
A340-28-4008, dated July 9, 1993.
    (b) Modify the bonding leads on the fuel low pressure inlet pipe 
(next to the compensator) and on the jet pump in accordance with 
Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4012, dated November 8, 
1993.
    (c) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The modifications shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4008, dated July 9, 1993, and 
Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4012, dated November 8, 
1993. 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 18, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 27, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-18769 Filed 8-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U