[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55233-55234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18520]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21861; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-093-AD; 
Amendment 39-14281; AD 2005-19-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Airplanes and 
Model A320-200 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series 
airplanes. This AD requires installing a bonding strip between each of 
the two water scavenge jet pumps of the center fuel tank and the rear 
spar in section 21. This AD results from the results of fuel system 
reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent an ignition source for fuel vapor in the wing, which could 
result in fire or explosion in the center wing fuel tank.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 26, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 26, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this 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: 

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model 
A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2005 (70 FR 41350). That 
NPRM proposed to require installing a bonding strip between each of the 
two water scavenge jet pumps of the center fuel tank and the rear spar 
in section 21.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received. The 
commenter supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 371 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
actions will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. The manufacturer will supply required parts 
at no charge. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for 
U.S. operators is $24,115, or $65 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 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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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.

[[Page 55234]]

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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-19-16 Airbus: Amendment 39-14281. Docket No. FAA-2005-21861; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-093-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 26, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, 
-231, -232, and -233 airplanes, certificated in any category; except 
those airplanes on which Airbus Modification 25513 has been 
accomplished in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source 
for fuel vapor in the wing, which could result in fire or explosion 
in the adjacent wing 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.

Installation of Bonding Strips

    (f) Within 56 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install a bonding strip between each of the two water scavenge jet 
pumps of the center fuel tank and the rear spar in section 21, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1067, Revision 02, dated January 27, 1997.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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

    (h) French airworthiness directive F-2005-056, dated April 13, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1067, Revision 
02, dated January 27, 1997, to perform the actions that are required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for a copy of this service information. You may review 
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go tohttp://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 9, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18520 Filed 9-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P