[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12816-12819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5138]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-148-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes 
(Collectively Called A300-600); and Model A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus model airplanes, as specified above. This proposed 
AD would require modifying the electrical bonding points of additional 
center tanks. This proposed AD is prompted by the results of fuel 
system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient 
bonding, which could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a 
potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department

[[Page 12817]]

of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on the plaza 
level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket number is 
FAA-2005-20625; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2003-NM-
148-AD.

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

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20625; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-148-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket Web Site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in 
recent fuel tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, 
including the adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of 
airplanes subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance 
practices for fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we 
issued a regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design 
Review, Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection 
Requirements' (67 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new 
airworthiness standards for transport airplanes and new maintenance 
requirements, this rule included Special Federal Aviation Regulation 
No. 88 (``SFAR 88,'' Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 
and 21-83).
    Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e., 
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders 
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition 
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design 
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for 
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to 
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance 
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety 
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to 
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found necessary 
to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these reviews. 
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four criteria 
intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel tank 
systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of operating 
time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable conditions is one 
of these criteria. The other three criteria address the failure types 
under evaluation: single failures, single failures in combination with 
another latent condition(s), and in-service failure experience. For all 
four criteria, the evaluations included consideration of previous 
actions taken that may mitigate the need for further action.
    The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) has issued a regulation that 
is similar to SFAR 88. (The JAA is an associated body of the European 
Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) representing the civil aviation 
regulatory authorities of a number of European States who have agreed 
to co-operate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory 
standards and procedures.) Under this regulation, the JAA stated that 
all members of the ECAC that hold type certificates for transport 
category airplanes are required to conduct a design review against 
explosion risks.
    We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are 
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel 
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result 
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes 
(collectively called A300-600); and Model A310 series airplanes. The 
DGAC advises that review of the bonding methods for various components 
of additional center tanks (ACT) installed in the cargo compartment has 
shown that the effectiveness of the grounds must be improved. In 
certain specific flight conditions (such as an airplane lightning 
strike or the accumulation of static charges), insufficient bonding 
could lead to electrical arcing inside the fuel tank. This condition, 
if not prevented, could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a 
potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-28-6060 (for Model A300-600 
airplanes), dated December 7, 1999; and Service Bulletin A310-28-2137 
(for Model A310 series airplanes), Revision 02, dated April 7, 2003. 
The service bulletins describe procedures for modifying the electrical 
bonding points of the ACT(s). The modification includes the following 
actions:
     In the manhole cover areas of the ACT, cleaning the 
contact zones of the bonding points on the studs and bracket, and on 
bonding contact zones of the inner and outer manhole covers with a 
certain cleaning agent.
     Modifying/cleaning and reidentifying certain parts, and 
preparing and bonding certain areas before pipework installation.
     Modifying certain equipment; doing an in-situ modification 
of the water drain valves; and preparing and bonding certain areas 
before equipment installation.
     For Model A310 series airplanes, installing the additional 
bonding lead between the flanges of the fuel and vent pipes.
     Reidentifying the ACT.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated 
the

[[Page 12818]]

service information and issued French airworthiness directive 2003-
161(B), dated April 30, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec.  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 DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between 
the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive

    The applicability of French airworthiness directive 2003-161(B) 
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6060 and 
A310-28-2137 were accomplished in service. However, we have not 
excluded those airplanes in the applicability of this proposed AD; 
rather, this proposed AD includes a requirement to accomplish the 
actions specified in those service bulletins, as applicable. This 
requirement would ensure that the actions specified in the applicable 
service bulletin and required by this proposed AD are accomplished on 
all affected airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the airplane 
in the configuration required by this proposed AD unless an alternative 
method of compliance is approved.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 2 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 48 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $470 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of 
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $7,180, or $3,590 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-20625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-
148-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by April 15, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes listed in Table 1 of this 
AD, certificated in any category, equipped with one or more 
additional center tanks (ACTs).

                         Table 1.--Applicability
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             Airbus model--                     As identified in--
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A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R        Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-
 series airplanes, and Model C4-605R      6060, dated December 7, 1999.
 Variant F airplanes (collectively
 called A300-600 airplanes).
A310 series airplanes..................  Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-
                                          2137, Revision 02, dated April
                                          7, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by the results of fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient bonding, 
which could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a potential 
risk of explosion of the fuel tank.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Modify the Electrical Bonding Points

    (f) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical bonding

[[Page 12819]]

points of the ACT(s), by doing all of the actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6060, 
dated December 7, 1999 (for Model A300-600 airplanes); or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2137, Revision 02, dated April 7, 2003 (for 
Model A310 series airplanes); as applicable.

Credit for Previous Service Bulletins

    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2137, dated December 
7, 1999; or Revision 01, dated January 12, 2002; are acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive 2003-161(B), dated April 30, 
2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5138 Filed 3-15-05; 8:45 am]
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