[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74161-74163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31063]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-125-AD; Amendment 39-13387; AD 2003-25-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes 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 amendment continues to require the modification and 
installation, but adds new modifications of the bonding leads for 
certain airplanes. This amendment also changes the applicability of the 
existing AD. The actions specified by this 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: Effective January 27, 2004. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications, as listed in the regulations, is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of January 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain other publication, as 
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of August 28, 2000 (65 FR 45513, July 24, 
2000).

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2000-14-15, 
amendment 39-11825 (65 FR 45513, July 24, 2000), which is applicable to 
certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2003 (68 FR 53061). 
The action proposed to require modifying the fuel pipe couplings and 
installing bonding leads in specified locations within the fuel tank. 
The action also adds new

[[Page 74162]]

modifications of the bonding leads, for certain airplanes, and changes 
the applicability in the existing AD.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received. Two commenters have no objections or comments to 
the proposed AD.

Request To Cite Revised Service Information

    Two commenters ask that the new requirements section of the 
proposed AD be changed to cite Revision 01, dated April 26, 2000; 
Revision 02, dated June 28, 2000; and Revision 03, dated October 3, 
2000; of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1077; as additional sources of 
service information to use for accomplishment of the specified actions. 
One commenter states that Revision 04, dated December 14, 2001 (cited 
in the proposed AD for accomplishment of certain new actions) specifies 
that no additional work is required on airplanes modified by Revision 
01, 02, or 03.
    The FAA agrees to add Revisions 01, 02, and 03 of the referenced 
service bulletin as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (b)(1) of this 
final rule. Those revisions are acceptable if accomplished before the 
effective date of this AD, as the changes are mainly editorial changes.

Change to Final Rule

    In paragraph (c)(2) of the proposed AD, we specified that 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOC) approved previously for AD 
2000-14-15, were not approved as AMOCs with this AD. We have changed 
paragraph (c)(2) to specify that AMOCs approved previously are approved 
as AMOCs with paragraph (a) of this AD. The AMOCs that have been issued 
are not authorizing changes per the original issue of the service 
bulletin; therefore, they meet the requirements specified in those 
paragraphs.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously described. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 227 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this 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 01, 02, 03, 04, or 
05, it takes 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 
actions 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 takes 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 actions 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 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

0
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

0
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]

0
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), amendment 39-13387 to read as follows:

2003-25-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-13387. Docket 2002-NM-125-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2000-14-15, Amendment 39-11825.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; 
certificated in any 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 
Revision 01, 02, 03, 04, or 05 may be used.

[[Page 74163]]

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 doing 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. Accomplishment of the actions 
before the effective date of this AD per Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-28-1077, Revision 01, dated April 26, 2000; Revision 02, dated 
June 28, 2000; or Revision 03, dated October 3, 2000; is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the actions required by this 
paragraph.
    (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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
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 considered to 
be approved as alternative methods of compliance with paragraph (a) 
of this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1077, dated July 9, 1999; Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-28-1077, Revision 01, dated April 26, 2000; Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 02, dated June 28, 2000; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 03, dated October 3, 2000; 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 04, dated December 
14, 2001; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 05, dated 
August 27, 2002; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1079, dated 
November 30, 1998; as applicable.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-28-1077, Revision 01, dated April 26, 2000; Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 02, dated June 28, 2000; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 03, dated October 3, 2000; 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 04, dated December 
14, 2001; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1077, Revision 05, dated 
August 27, 2002; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1079, dated 
November 30, 1998; is approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-28-1077, dated July 9, 1999, was approved previously by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of August 28, 2000 (65 FR 45513, 
July 24, 2000).
    (3) 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.

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

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31063 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
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