[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28244]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]


                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 220

                                       Wednesday, November 16, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and 
B4-203 Series Airplanes; and Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603, and 
B4-601 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 and 
A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of 
the fuel tank jettison system. This proposal is prompted by a quality 
survey which revealed that the electrical bonding of the fuel jettison 
system has insufficient protection from a lightning strike. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent electrical arcing 
and resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen 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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-136-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056

Discussion

    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 Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, 
and B4-203 series airplanes, and Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603, 
and B4-601 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the results of a 
quality survey, conducted by Airbus Industrie, revealed that the 
electrical bonding of the fuel jettison system has insufficient 
protection from a lightning strike. Investigation revealed that the 
existing lightning protection could fail to adequately safeguard the 
fuel jettison pipe against a lightning strike at the fuel pipe exit. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing and 
resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.
    Airbus has issued Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A065, Revision 1, 
dated February 14, 1994 (for Model A300 series airplanes), and Alert 
Service Bulletin A300-28A6033, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994 (for 
Model A300-600 series airplanes), which describe procedures for 
modification of the fuel tank jettison system. This modification 
involves removing the bonding strap that bridges the flexible hose and 
installing a new thicker bonding strap from the fuel jettison pipe to 
the No. 5 flap track beam, which will improve the electrical bonding at 
both ends. Accomplishment of this modification will improve the bonding 
method at the interface of the fuel jettison pipe and the adjacent fuel 
tank. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued French Airworthiness Directive 93-074-144(B), dated May 12, 
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 21.29) 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, the proposed AD would require modification of the 
fuel tank jettison system. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.
    The FAA estimates that 34 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 21 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $42,840, or $1,260 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. -
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Docket 94-NM-136-AD.
    Applicability: Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 series 
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 0013 has been installed; and 
Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603, and B4-601 series airplanes 
on which Airbus Modification 4607 has not been installed; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent electrical arcing and resultant fire in the event of 
a lightning strike, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the fuel tank jettison system in accordance with Airbus Alert 
Service Bulletin A300-28A065, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994 
(for Model A300 series airplanes), or Airbus Alert Service Bulletin 
A300-28A6033, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994 (for Model A300-
600 series airplanes); as applicable.
    (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: 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 
Secs. 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.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 1994.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-28244 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U