[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 20, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35400-35402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9631]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25079; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-065-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310-300 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 A310-300 airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require replacing the existing non-return valve (NRV) of the auxiliary 
center tanks (ACTs) of the fuel system with a new, improved NRV. This 
proposed AD

[[Page 35401]]

results from a report that it was not possible to transfer fuel from 
ACTs 1 and 2 during flight, and no electronic centralized aircraft 
monitor warnings were triggered. Investigation revealed a faulty static 
inverter and blown fuse, resulting in failure of certain fueling bus 
bars and subsequent failure of the automatic ACT fuel transfer. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent these failures, combined with failure of 
the NRV to close. If the NRV is open during flight, the fuel supply to 
the engines may be reduced during cross-feed operation to the extent 
that fuel starvation could occur and result in engine flameout.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 20, 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 AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1622; 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-
25079; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-065-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.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 Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    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 A310-300 series airplanes. 
The DGAC advises of receiving a report that it was not possible to 
transfer fuel from auxiliary center tanks (ACTs) 1 and 2 during flight, 
and no electronic centralized aircraft monitor warnings were triggered. 
Investigation revealed a faulty static inverter and blown fuse, 
resulting in failure of certain fueling bus bars and subsequent failure 
of the automatic ACT fuel transfer. In addition, there are known 
problems with certain non-return valves (NRVs) used throughout the fuel 
system, which could result in intermittent failure of the NRV to close. 
If the NRV is open during flight, the fuel supply to the engines may be 
reduced during cross-feed operation to the extent that fuel starvation 
could occur and result in engine flameout.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-28-2158, dated September 1, 
2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing the 
existing NRV with a new, improved NRV. 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-2005-197, dated December 7, 
2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.
    The Airbus service bulletin refers to Lucas Air Equipment Service 
Bulletin C23AE01-28-01, Revision 1, dated July 20, 1994, as an 
additional source of service information for replacing the NRV.

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 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 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 Airbus service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 11 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed replacement would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $368 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of 
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $4,928, or $448 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

[[Page 35402]]

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-2006-25079; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
065-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 20, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-304, -308, -324, and -
325 airplanes, certificated in any category; equipped with auxiliary 
center tanks (ACTs); except those on which Airbus Modification 8928 
has been done in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that it was not possible to 
transfer fuel from ACTs 1 and 2 during flight, and no electronic 
centralized aircraft monitor warnings were triggered. Investigation 
revealed a faulty static inverter and blown fuse, resulting in 
failure of certain fueling bus bars and subsequent failure of the 
automatic ACT fuel transfer. We are issuing this AD to prevent these 
failures, combined with failure of the non-return valve (NRV) to 
close. If the NRV is open during flight, the fuel supply to the 
engines may be reduced during cross-feed operation to the extent 
that fuel starvation could occur and result in engine flameout.

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.

Replacement

    (f) Within 15,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Replace the existing NRV with a new, improved NRV by doing all 
the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2158, dated September 1, 2005.


    Note 1: The Airbus service bulletin refers to Lucas Air 
Equipment Service Bulletin C23AE01-28-01, Revision 1, dated July 20, 
1994, as an additional source of service information for replacing 
the NRV.

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a NRV having part number C23AE0102, unless it has 
been modified according to paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) 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.
    (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.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-197, dated December 7, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-9631 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P