[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11555-11557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3264]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24103; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-241-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600R Series 
Airplanes, A300 C4-605R Variant F Airplanes, A300 F4-600R Series 
Airplanes, and Model A310-300 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 transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require replacing the existing vent float valve with a new improved 
vent float valve. This proposed AD results from reports of failure of 
the vent float valve in the left-hand outboard section of the trimmable 
horizontal stabilizer. We are proposing this AD to prevent, in the 
event of a lightning strike to the horizontal stabilizer, sparking of 
metal parts and debris from detached and damaged float vales, or a 
buildup of static electricity, which could result in ignition of fuel 
vapors and consequent fire or explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 7, 2006.

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.
     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.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this proposed 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24103; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-241-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 received 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 
that 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.govROW 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 Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Franch, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600R series 
airplanes, A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, A300 F4-600R series 
airplanes, and Model A310-300 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that 
it has received reports of in-service failures of the vent float valve 
in the trim tank. The vent float valve is located in the left-hand 
outboard section of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer at Functional 
Item Number (FIN) position 280454. In the event of a lightning strike 
to the horizontal stabilizer, sparking of metal parts and debris from 
detached and damaged float vales, or a buildup of static electricity, 
could result in ignition of fuel vapors and consequent fire or 
explosion.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A310-28-2155 (for Model A310-
300 series airplanes) and A300-28-6081 (for A300 B4-600R series 
airplanes, A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, and A300 F4-600R series 
airplanes). Both service bulletins are dated February 16, 2005. The 
service bulletins describe procedures for replacing the existing vent 
float valve with a new improved vent float valve. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the service information 
and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-148, dated August 17, 
2005, 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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the

[[Page 11556]]

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 airplanes of these type designs 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.

Difference Between the French Airworthiness Directive and This Proposed 
AD

    The applicability of French airworthiness directive F-2005-148 
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-28-6081 (for Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes, 
A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, and A300 F4-605R and F4-622R 
airplanes) or A310-28-2155 (for Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 
airplanes) were accomplished in-service. Both service bulletins are 
dated February 16, 2005. 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 that 
service bulletin. This requirement would ensure that the actions 
specified in the 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. This difference 
has been coordinated with the DGAC.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 179 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 4 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is 
$46,540, or $260 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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2006-24103; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
241-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 7, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R 
airplanes, A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, A300 F4-605R and F4-
622R airplanes, and Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; 
certificated in any category, except those airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 12897 has been accomplished in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of broken vent float valve in 
the left-hand outboard section of the trimmable horizontal 
stabilizer. We are issuing this AD to prevent, in the event of a 
lightning strike to the horizontal stabilizer, sparking of metal 
parts and debris from detached and damaged float vales, or a buildup 
of static electricity, which could result in ignition of fuel vapors 
and consequent 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.

Action Heading

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Replace Intertechnique vent float valve, Part Number (P/N) L87-13-
001, in the trim tank with P/N L87-13-003; in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6081 (for Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R 
airplanes, A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes, and A300 F4-605R and 
F4-622R airplanes) or A310-28-2155 (for Model A310-304, -322, -324, 
and -325 airplanes). Both service bulletins are dated February 16, 
2005.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance 
with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
vent float valve, P/N L87-13-001, on any airplane.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-148, dated August 17, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.


[[Page 11557]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-3264 Filed 3-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P