[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 2, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21893-21896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10940]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-412-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4; A310; and 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 21894]]


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 B2 and 
B4; A310; and A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called 
A300-600) series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of 
certain components related to the fuel level sensors. This action is 
necessary to prevent the possibility of overheating of the fuel level 
sensors, which could lead to the risk of explosion in the fuel tank. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-412-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. 2000-NM-412-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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 2000-NM-412-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. 2000-NM-412-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition 
may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4; A310; and A300 B4-
600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that investigations by the manufacturer 
have revealed that, if a 115V alternating current (AC) short circuit 
occurs outside of the fuel tanks, in the wiring that is routed with the 
fuel level sensor harnesses, the sensing element in the fuel level 
sensors could overheat. This overheating of the sensors could cause 
possible ignition of the fuel tank vapors, resulting in an explosion 
inside of the fuel tank.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-28-0078, dated September 
27, 2000, which describes procedures for installing new fused fuel 
level sensors and new harness connectors in the wing inner and outer 
fuel tanks and the center fuel tank on Model A300 B2 and B4 series 
airplanes. Airbus has also issued Service Bulletins A310-28-2141, 
including Appendix 01; and A300-28-6063; both dated September 27, 2000; 
which describe procedures for installing fused adapters for the fuel 
level sensors between the aircraft external wiring harness and the in-
tank wiring at the fuel tank wall connectors in Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as 
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2000-481-324(B), 
dated November 29, 2000, in order to assure the continued airworthiness 
of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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 bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 157 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately the 
number of work hours per airplane specified in the table below to 
accomplish the proposed modifications, and that the average

[[Page 21895]]

labor rate is $60 per work hour. Approximate required parts costs and 
costs per airplane are listed in the table below:

Approximate Cost per Airplane

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                                                                                                    Approximate
                         Airplane model                             Work hours      Parts cost       cost per
                                                                                                     airplane
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A300 B2, Post Modification 03082S4068...........................               8         $18,241         $18,721
A300 B2, Pre Modification 03082S4068............................               8          16,690          17,170
A300 B4, Post Modification 01664S2368...........................              16          24,512          25,472
A300 B4, Pre Modification 01664S2368............................              16          22,811          23,771
A310-200........................................................              10          11,972          12,572
A310-300........................................................              12          16,125          16,845
A300-600........................................................               2           3,805           3,925
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    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 2000-NM-412-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; Model A310 
series airplanes, except those on which Airbus Modification 12201 
has been embodied in production; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes, except 
those on which Airbus Modification 12202 has been embodied in 
production; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 prevent the possibility of overheating of the fuel level 
sensors, which could lead to the risk of explosion in the fuel tank, 
accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical connectors to the fuel sensors by the installation of 
new connectors and new sensors, or fused adapters for the sensors, 
as applicable, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin 
listed in the following table:

                                     Table 1.--Applicable Service Bulletins
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    Airbus model series airplane          Airbus service bulletin No.               Service bulletin date
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(1) A300 B2 and B4.................  A300-28-0078.........................  September 27, 2000.
(2) A310...........................  A310-28-2141.........................  September 27, 2000.
(3) A300-600.......................  A300-28-6063.........................  September 27, 2000.
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Spare Parts

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a part with any of the identifying numbers listed in 
the following table:

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                                        Table 2.--Prohibited Spare Parts
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      Airbus model series airplane                      Part                              Part No.
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(1) A300 B2 and B4......................  Sensor..........................  718-054-1
(2) A300 B2 and B4......................  Sensor..........................  718-557
(3) A300 B2 and B4......................  Sensor..........................  718-055-1
(4) A300 B2 and B4......................  Connector.......................  852510R8T33SN02
(5) A310................................  Connector.......................  E0052R10B6SNE
(6) A310................................  Connector.......................  E0052R12B10SNE
(7) A310................................  Connector.......................  E0052R14B19SNE
(8) A300-600............................  Connector.......................  E0052R14B19SNE
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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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 2: 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 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-481-324(B), dated November 29, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 25, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10940 Filed 5-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U