[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 91 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24936-24938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9063]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20379; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-174-AD; 
Amendment 39-14078; AD 2005-10-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. This AD requires measuring the 
clearance between the compensator and the guide assembly of probe no. 1 
on the outboard fuel tanks, and performing corrective actions if 
necessary. This AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
interference between the compensator and the guide assembly of probe 
no. 1, which could create an ignition source that could result in a 
fire or explosion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 16, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 
16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. 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

[[Page 24937]]

Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Washington, DC. 
This docket number is FAA-2005-20379; the directorate identifier for 
this docket is 2004-NM-174-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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. That action, 
published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2005 (70 FR 7700), 
proposed to require measuring the clearance between the compensator and 
the guide assembly of probe no. 1 on the outboard fuel tanks, and 
performing corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Number of
                                              Average                        Cost per      U.S.-
            Action              Work hours   labor rate        Parts         airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                              per hour                                   airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................            2          $65  None............         $130           59       $7,670
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-10-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-14078. Docket No. FAA-2005-20379; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-174-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 16, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model 310 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

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 
interference between the compensator and the guide assembly of probe 
no. 1, which could create an ignition source that could result in a 
fire or explosion.

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.

Measurement

    (f) Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, measure the clearance between the compensator and the guide 
assembly of probe no. 1 on the left- and right-hand outboard fuel 
tanks, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2152, dated January 12, 2004. If the 
clearance between the compensator and the guide assembly is less 
than 3 mm, before further flight, modify the guide assembly of probe 
no. 1 to provide clearance of 3 mm or more between the compensator 
and the guide assembly, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
probe no. 1 on the left-or right-hand outboard fuel tank unless the 
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD have been accomplished.

[[Page 24938]]

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 F-2004-125, dated July 21, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2152, dated 
January 12, 2004, to perform the actions that are required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of 
the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to 
the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, 
DC. To review copies of the service information, contact the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-
6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9063 Filed 5-11-05; 8:45 am]
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