[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17127-17129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7735]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-234-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 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 all Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive

[[Page 17128]]

inspections of the metallic vapor seals in the center fuel tank to 
detect holes, tears, or a change in shape; corrective action, if such 
damage is detected; and follow-up tests for leaks. The proposal is 
prompted by reports of damaged metallic vapor seals observed during 
routine maintenance. This action is necessary to detect and correct 
damage to the metallic vapor seal in the center fuel tank, which could 
lead to leakage of fuel from the center tank into the air conditioning 
pack bay located below the center tank, providing a potential for fuel 
to be in contact with fuel ignition sources. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-234-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 99-NM-234-AD'' in the subject line and need not be 
submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Ave. SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-234-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-234-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, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. The DGAC 
advised that during routine maintenance, damage to metallic vapor seals 
in the center fuel tank on several airplanes had been observed. 
Inspection of the seals indicated that the damage resulted from metal 
fatigue, caused by vibration. This damage, if not corrected, could lead 
to leakage of fuel from the center tank into the air conditioning pack 
bay located below the center tank, providing a potential for fuel to be 
in contact with fuel ignition sources.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-28-2138, dated June 28, 
2000, which describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the 
metallic vapor seals on the center tank; corrective action, if damage 
is detected; and follow-up testing for leaks. The inspections include 
an initial detailed visual inspection and periodic follow-up 
inspections of the metallic vapor seals to detect holes, tears, or a 
change in shape. The corrective actions include temporary repair, 
permanent repair, and replacement of a damaged metallic vapor seal, as 
well as repair of the center fuel tank. The tests include a 
pressurization test of the vapor seal system and a leak test of the 
center fuel tank.
    The service bulletin recommends that any temporary repair of a 
metallic vapor seal be replaced by a permanent repair within 15 months 
and that replacement of all 7 parts of a metallic vapor seal by new 
parts eliminates the need for inspection of that seal during the next 
16,000 flight hours.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 2000-336-311(B), dated July 26, 2000, in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

[[Page 17129]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 47 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 8 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish each inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed detailed visual inspections on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $22,560, or $480 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Airbus Industrie:  Docket 99-NM-234-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A310 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 (c) 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 detect and correct damage to the metallic vapor seal on the 
center fuel tank, which could lead to leakage of fuel from the 
center tank, providing a potential for fuel to be in contact with 
fuel ignition sources, accomplish the following:

Initial and Repetitive Inspection

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total flight hours, or 
within 600 flight hours following the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Conduct an initial detailed visual 
inspection of the metallic vapor seal for damage, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-
2138, dated June 28, 2000. Repeat the detailed visual inspection of 
the metallic vapor seal for damage thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 600 flight hours.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''


    Note 3: Accomplishment of an initial inspection and applicable 
corrective actions in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex 
(AOT) A310-28A2139, dated April 8, 1999, or AOT A310-28A2139, 
Revision 01, dated April 26, 1999, is acceptable for compliance with 
the initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (b) If damage to the metallic vapor seal is detected during any 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Perform applicable 
corrective actions (including a temporary repair, a permanent 
repair, or replacement of a damaged metallic vapor seal) in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2138, dated June 28, 2000. Any such corrective 
action must be performed within the compliance time specified in 
Figure 1 of the service bulletin. If no compliance time is specified 
in Figure 1, the applicable corrective action must be performed 
prior to the next flight.
    (1) If a temporary repair is made to a metallic vapor seal: 
Perform the requirements of both paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and 
(b)(1)(ii).
    (i) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.
    (ii) Within 15 months after the date of the temporary repair, 
accomplish a permanent repair with removal of the metallic vapor 
seal. Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.
    (2) If all parts of a metallic vapor seal are replaced 
simultaneously with new parts: The inspection required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD may be deferred during the next 16,000 flight hours. 
Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 600 
flight hours.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA. 
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

    (d) 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.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-336-311(B), dated July 26, 2000.



    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-7735 Filed 3-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U