[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5794-5796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2483]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-278-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 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 A319 and A320 
series airplanes. This proposal would require modifying the electrical 
bonding of the fuel return line in each wing between ribs 7 and 8. This 
action is necessary to reduce the potential for electrical arcing 
within the fuel tank due to insufficient electrical bonding, which 
could result in a fire or explosion in the fuel tank. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 8, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-278-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-278-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, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,

[[Page 5795]]

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:
     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 2002-NM-278-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-278-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that a review of the electrical 
bonding methods applied on various components in the fuel tank and fuel 
pipe couplings of these airplane models has revealed that electrical 
bonding of certain components must be improved. One of these subject 
components is the fuel return line in each wing between ribs 7 and 8. 
Insufficient electrical bonding may, in certain conditions such as a 
lightning strike or static charge accumulation, lead to electrical 
arcing inside the fuel tank. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in a fire or explosion in the fuel tank.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1103, Revision 01, dated 
April 1, 2003, which describes procedures for improving (modifying) the 
electrical bonding of the fuel return line in each wing between ribs 7 
and 8. The procedures include installing a grounding tag to a certain 
check valve attachment bolt; installing bonding leads between the check 
valve, the fuel return line, and the adjacent rib 8; and performing an 
electrical bonding resistance test. 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 2002-476(B), 
dated September 18, 2002, to ensure 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. We have 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.

Clarification of Proposed Requirements

    The service bulletin describes procedures for an electrical 
resistance test at each bonding lead but does not explicitly specify 
corrective actions if this test fails. For clarification, this proposed 
AD specifies that, if any electrical resistance test of any bonding 
lead fails, corrective actions involve disassembling the bonding lead, 
repeating the applicable cleaning procedures, reassembling the bonding 
lead, and repeating the electrical resistance test per the service 
bulletin.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 534 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $100 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $157,530, or $295 per airplane.
    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 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)

[[Page 5796]]

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: Docket 2002-NM-278-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus 
Modification 31888 has been accomplished.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To reduce the potential for electrical arcing within the fuel 
tank due to insufficient electrical bonding, which could result in a 
fire or explosion in the fuel tank, accomplish the following:

Modification of Electrical Bonding

    (a) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical bonding of the fuel return line in each wing between 
ribs 7 and 8, by installing a grounding tag to a certain check valve 
attachment bolt; installing bonding leads between the check valve, 
the fuel return line, and the adjacent rib 8; and performing an 
electrical bonding resistance test; per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1103, Revision 01, 
dated April 1, 2003. If the electrical resistance test of any 
bonding lead fails: Before further flight, disassemble the bonding 
lead, repeat the applicable cleaning procedures, reassemble the 
bonding lead, and repeat the electrical resistance test per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

Credit for Actions Accomplished Previously

    (b) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1103, dated June 14, 2002, are 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-476(B), dated September 18, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2483 Filed 2-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P