[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24938-24939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10019]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-278-AD; Amendment 39-13608; AD 2004-09-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, that 
requires 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: Effective June 9, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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 National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 
2004 (69 FR 5794). That action proposed to require modifying the 
electrical bonding of the fuel return line in each wing between ribs 7 
and 8.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. The FAA has duly considered the single 
comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Explanation of Change to Final Rule

    The proposed AD states that the subject of the proposed AD is 
addressed in French airworthiness directive 2002-476(B), dated 
September 18, 2002. Since the preparation of the proposed AD, the 
Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, has issued French airworthiness 
directive F-2002-476 R1,

[[Page 24939]]

dated January 21, 2004. This French airworthiness directive clarifies 
the applicability for one subject airplane.
    The new French airworthiness directive does not affect the content 
of the proposed AD. Thus, the only change to this final rule as a 
result of the issuance of the new French airworthiness directive is 
that we have revised Note 1 of this final rule to refer to French 
airworthiness directive F-2002-476 R1.

Difference Between the French Airworthiness Directive and This AD

    The applicability of French airworthiness directive F-2002-476 R1 
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1103 has 
been accomplished in service. However, we have not excluded those 
airplanes from the applicability of this AD. Rather, this AD includes a 
requirement to accomplish the actions specified in that service 
bulletin. Such a requirement ensures that the actions specified in the 
service bulletin and required by this AD are accomplished on all 
affected airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the airplane in 
the configuration required by this AD unless an alternative method of 
compliance is approved.

Conclusion

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

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 534 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $100 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 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 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-09-19 Airbus: Amendment 39-13608. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1103, 
Revision 01, dated April 1, 2003. This incorporation by reference 
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Airbus, 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 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or 
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive F-2002-476 R1, dated January 21, 2004.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 9, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 26, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10019 Filed 5-4-04; 8:45 am]
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