[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53061-53063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22892]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-125-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes, that currently requires modifying the 
fuel pipe couplings and installing bonding leads in specified locations 
within the fuel tank. This action would continue to require the 
modification and installation, but would add new modifications of the 
bonding leads for certain airplanes. This action also would change the 
applicability in the existing AD. The actions specified by the proposed 
AD are intended to prevent ignition sources and consequent fire/
explosion in the fuel tank. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 9, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-125-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2002-NM-125-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 or 2000 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 Avenue, 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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-125-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. 2002-NM-125-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On July 13, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-14-15, amendment 39-11825 
(65 FR 45513, July 24, 2000), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes, to require modifying the fuel pipe 
couplings and installing bonding leads in specified locations within 
the fuel tank. That action was prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent ignition 
sources and consequent fire/explosion in the fuel tank.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of AD 2000-14-15, Airbus has issued Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 04, dated December 14, 2001; and 
Revision 05, dated August 27, 2002. The original issue of the service 
bulletin was referenced as the appropriate source of service 
information for doing the actions required by that AD. Revisions 01, 
02, and 03 of the service bulletin contain revised procedures, which 
include increasing the quantity of bonding leads installed. Revision 04 
adds procedures for airplanes modified per the original issue of the 
service bulletin. The added procedures in Revision 04 involve 
installing an additional bonding lead at Rib 15 on the jet pump system 
for Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, or on the recirculation 
system for Model A321 series airplanes. Revision 04 also describes 
procedures for an electrical bonding resistance check upon completion 
of the modification. Revision 05 adds no additional work for airplanes 
modified by any of the previous revisions.

[[Page 53062]]

    Airbus also has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1079, dated 
November 30, 1998. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
modification of the fuel system of the additional center fuel tank. The 
modification includes cleaning certain bonding point attachments, 
sealing the bonding point attachments, and installing new bonding leads 
between the flanges of the fuel and vent pipes. The service bulletin 
also describes procedures for an electrical bonding resistance check 
upon completion of the modification.
    The Direction Genrale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, classified these service bulletins 
as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2002-202(B), 
dated April 17, 2002, 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 supersede AD 2000-14-15 to 
continue to require modifying the fuel pipe couplings and installing 
bonding leads in specified locations within the fuel tank. The proposed 
AD also would add new modifications of the bonding lead for certain 
airplanes, and would change the applicability in the existing AD by 
excluding airplanes having the new modification. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins 
described previously.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs). Because we have now included this material in part 
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each 
individual AD.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 227 airplanes of U.S. registry that would 
be affected by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 2000-14-15 take 
between 20 and 100 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. The cost of required parts is 
negligible. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently 
required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $295,100 
and $1,475,500; or between $1,300 and $6,500 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the actions specified 
in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 04, it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. The cost of required parts is 
negligible. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these new 
proposed requirements on U.S. operators is estimated to be $130 per 
airplane.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the actions specified 
in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1079, it would take approximately 6 
work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. The cost of required parts is negligible. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of these new proposed requirements on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $390 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this 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 removing amendment 39-11825 (65 FR 
45513, July 24, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Airbus: Docket 2002-NM-125-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-14-15, amendment 
39-11825.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; 
certificated in any

[[Page 53063]]

category; excluding those on which Airbus Modifications 27150, 
27955, and 27472 have been installed.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent ignition sources and consequent fire/explosion in the 
fuel tank, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2000-14-15

Modification and Installation

    (a) Within 36 months after August 28, 2000 (the effective date 
of AD 2000-14-15, amendment 39-11825), modify the fuel pipe 
couplings and install bonding leads in the specified locations of 
the fuel tank, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1077, dated July 9, 1999; Revision 01, dated April 
26, 2000; Revision 02, dated June 28, 2000; Revision 03, dated 
October 3, 2000; Revision 04, dated December 14, 2001; or Revision 
05, dated August 27, 2002. As of the effective date of this AD, only 
Revisions 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05 may be used.

New Requirements of This AD

Modification and Installation

    (b) Do the applicable actions required by paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(b)(2) of this AD at the times specified.
    (1) For airplanes on which the actions required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD have been done per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, 
dated July 9, 1999: Within 36 months after the effective date of 
this AD, install an additional bonding lead (including an electrical 
resistance check) by doing all the actions per paragraphs 3.B.(3) 
and 3.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 04, dated December 14, 2001; or 
Revision 05, dated August 27, 2002.
    (2) For airplanes on which an additional center fuel tank is 
installed, as described in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1079, 
dated November 30, 1998: Within 20 months after the effective date 
of this AD, modify the fuel system of the additional center fuel 
tank (including an electrical resistance check) by doing all the 
actions per paragraphs 2.A. through 2.E. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in 
accordance with AD 2000-14-15, amendment 39-11825, are not 
considered to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with 
this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-202(B), dated April 17, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 3, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22892 Filed 9-8-03; 8:45 am]
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