[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 16, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58504-58507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20027]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28663; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-223-AD; 
Amendment 39-15221; AD 2007-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes; 
and Model A310 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
* * * * *

    * * * the FAA set-up in January 1999 an Ageing Transport Systems 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC) to investigate the potential 
safety issues in aging aircraft as a result of wear and degradation 
in their operating systems.
    Under this plan, all Holders of type Certificates aircraft are 
required to conduct a design review, to preclude the occurrence of 
potential unsafe conditions as the aircraft aged.
* * * * *

    The unsafe condition is degradation of the fuel system, which could 
result in loss of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 20, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 20, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2007 (72 FR 
37472). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    * * * the FAA issued in July 1996 an Aging Non-structural 
Systems plan to address the White House Commission an Aviation 
Safety and Security (WHCSS) report.
    To help fulfill the actions specified in this Aging Systems 
plan, the FAA set-up in January 1999 an Ageing Transport Systems 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC) to investigate the potential 
safety issues in aging aircraft as a result of wear and degradation 
in their operating systems.
    Under this plan, all Holders of type Certificates aircraft are 
required to conduct a design review, to preclude the occurrence of 
potential unsafe conditions as the aircraft aged.
    Further to AIRBUS investigations on this subject, corrected 
measures intended to improve the design of A310 and A300-600 fleet 
against potential unsafe conditions as the aircraft aged, are 
rendered mandatory by this AD.

    The unsafe condition is degradation of the fuel system, which could 
result in loss of the airplane. The corrective actions include:
     Modify emergency power electrical routing.
     Inspect certain wire routes and do necessary corrective 
action (repair chafed or burned wiring, damaged clamps, and introduce 
self-vulcanizing silicone tape for wrapping the cable bundle at each 
clamping position).
     Secure electrical routing.
     Relocate temperature sensors and modify wires.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in

[[Page 58505]]

general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects 
about 193 products of U.S. registry. We estimate that it takes about 
267 work hours per product to comply with this AD. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts cost about $17,637 per 
product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that 
are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to be 
$7,526,421, or $38,997 per product.

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 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 this AD:
    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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

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 AD:

2007-21-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-15221. Docket No. FAA-2007-28663; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-223-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
20, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes; 
and Model A310 series airplanes; certificated in any category; all 
certified models, all serial numbers.

Subjects

    (d) Electrical Power, Hydraulic Power, and Pneumatic.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    * * * the FAA issued in July 1996 an Aging Non-structural 
Systems plan to address the White House Commission an Aviation 
Safety and Security (WHCSS) report.
    To help fulfill the actions specified in this Aging Systems 
plan, the FAA set-up in January 1999 an Ageing Transport Systems 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC) to investigate the potential 
safety issues in aging aircraft as a result of wear and degradation 
in their operating systems.
    Under this plan, all Holders of type Certificates aircraft are 
required to conduct a design review, to preclude the occurrence of 
potential unsafe conditions as the aircraft aged.
    Further to AIRBUS investigations on this subject, corrected 
measures intended to improve the design of A310 and A300-600 fleet 
against potential unsafe conditions as the aircraft aged, are 
rendered mandatory by this AD.
    The unsafe condition is degradation of the fuel system, which 
could result in loss of the airplane. The corrective actions 
include: Modify emergency power electrical routing; inspect certain 
wire routes and do necessary corrective action (repair chafed or 
burned wiring, damaged clamps, and introduce self-vulcanizing 
silicone tape for wrapping the cable bundle at each clamping 
position); secure electrical routing; and relocate temperature 
sensors and modify wires.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) For Model A310 series airplanes, having received Airbus 
Modification 05911 and/or Airbus Modification 05910, or having 
received application of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2014 or 
A310-24-2099 in service; and Model A300-600 series airplanes having 
received in production Airbus Modification 06213, or having received 
application of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-6008 (Airbus 
Modification 06214) in service; except airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 10510 has been embodied in production or airplanes on 
which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2056, dated June 8, 1993; 
Revision 1, dated November 28, 1994; or Revision 02, dated June 9, 
2006; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-6045, dated June 8, 1993; 
Revision 1, dated June 2, 1994; Revision 2, dated August 11, 1994; 
Revision 3, dated November 28, 1994; Revision 4, dated May 5, 1995; 
or Revision 05, dated June 9, 2006; has been embodied in service: 
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the 
emergency power electrical routing under floor at pressure seal 
interface plates between FR (frame) 52 and FR53, in accordance with 
the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2056, 
Revision 02, dated June 9, 2006; or A300-24-6045, Revision 05, dated 
June 9, 2006; as applicable.

[[Page 58506]]

    (2) For Model A310 series airplanes, manufacturing serial number 
(MSN) 0162 up to 0706 included, and Model A300-600 series airplanes, 
MSN 0252 up to 0794 included; except airplanes on which the one-time 
detailed visual inspection in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-24-2079, dated March 28, 2000; or Revision 01, dated 
April 27, 2006; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300-24-6069, dated March 
28, 2000; or Revision 01, dated April 27, 2006; has been performed 
in service: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time detailed visual inspection of the electrical 
routes 1P and 2P between the rear panel 120VU (volt unit) and the 
circuit breaker panel 800VU located in the forward compartment and 
in case of finding, before further flight, repair chafed or burned 
wiring, damaged clamps and introduce self-vulcanizing silicone tape 
for wrapping the cable bundle of each clamping position, in 
accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A310-24-2079, Revision 01, dated April 27, 2006; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-24-6069, Revision 01, dated April 27, 2006; as 
applicable.
    (3) For Model A310 series airplanes, equipped with Eaton 
(formerly Vickers) electrical pumps, except airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 10017 has been embodied in production or 
airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-29-2036, dated 
August 10, 1992; Revision 1, dated December 16, 1992; Revision 2, 
dated September 20, 1993; or Revision 03, dated June 9, 2006; have 
been embodied in service: Within 36 months after the effective date 
of this AD, secure the electrical routing 1P, 2P, and the hydraulic 
line running to pump 11GE, in the hydraulic bay at FR54 by changing 
the routes and by adding a spacer and a clamp to prevent any chafing 
between them, in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-29-2036, Revision 03, dated June 9, 2006.
    (4) For Model A310 series airplanes, except airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 06447 has been embodied in production or 
airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-36-2010, Revision 2, 
dated September 26, 1989; or Revision 03, dated May 24, 2006; have 
been embodied in service: Within 36 months after the effective date 
of this AD, relocate the temperature sensors and modify the 
associated wires in accordance with the instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-36-2010, Revision 03, dated May 24, 2006.
    (5) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with any applicable service bulletin in Table 1 of this 
AD are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding provisions 
of paragraph (f) of this AD.

                           Table 1.--Acceptable Earlier Revisions of Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Airbus service bulletin                Revision level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-24-6045...........................  Original..................  June 8, 1993.
                                         1.........................  June 2, 1994.
                                         2.........................  August 11, 1994.
                                         3.........................  November 28, 1994.
                                         4.........................  May 5, 1995.
A300-24-6069...........................  Original..................  March 28, 2000.
A310-24-2056...........................  Original..................  June 8, 1993.
                                         1.........................  November 28, 1994.
A310-24-2079...........................  Original..................  March 28, 2000.
A310-29-2036...........................  1.........................  December 16, 1992.
                                         2.........................  September 20, 1993.
A310-36-2010...........................  2.........................  September 26, 1989.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tom 
Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; telephone (425) 227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149. Before 
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0285R1, 
dated November 13, 2006, and the Airbus Service Bulletins in Table 2 
of this AD for related information.

                                       Table 2.--Airbus Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Revision
                Service bulletin                    level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-24-6045...................................          05  June 9, 2006.
A300-24-6069...................................          01  April 27, 2006.
A310-24-2056...................................          02  June 9, 2006.
A310-24-2079...................................          01  April 27, 2006.
A310-29-2036...................................          03  June 9, 2006.
A310-36-2010...................................          03  May 24, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 3 of 
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. Airbus Service Bulletin A310-24-2014, Revision 
7, dated January 17, 1990, contains the following effective pages:

[[Page 58507]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Revision level
                 Page number                     shown on page                  Date shown on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 687-688, 858, 946, 1067-1068..............                 7  January 17, 1990.
2-2a, 8a-9, 11-16, 19-20, 671-686, 689-690,                   5  November 20, 1989.
 692, 694, 696, 698-699, 701-704, 707-710,
 714-715, 717-720, 724-729, 732-752, 754-834,
 837-849, 851-852, 855-857, 859-860, 863-874,
 877-882, 885-896, 903-928, 937-945, 947-980,
 987-990, 993-994, 997-1004, 1007-1016, 1023-
 1024, 1027-1030, 1033-1058, 1061-1062, 1065-
 1066, 1069-1082, 1085-1086, 1089-1100, 1103-
 1112, 1115-1116, 1118-1119, 1122-1127, 1129-
 1131.
3-7, 10, 17-18, 21, 23-92, 95-102, 109-117,                   2  September 22, 1986.
 119-122, 124-127, 129-131, 134-135, 137-140,
 142, 145-146, 149-151, 154-168, 172-174, 176-
 177a, 177f, 178-264, 266, 268, 270, 273-276,
 279-282, 287-292, 294, 303-322, 325-327, 329-
 335, 337-358, 361-362, 365-374, 377-395, 397-
 408, 411-432, 435-436, 439-446, 451-454, 457-
 458, 467-472, 477-478, 487-494, 497-504, 511-
 514, 517-522, 525-528, 533-542, 551-560, 563-
 572, 577-580, 583-608, 611-612, 614-616.
8, 103-104, 106-107, 133, 136, 141, 143-144,                  3  January 22, 1987.
 152, 169-171, 175, 177c-177e, 265, 271-272,
 277-278, 285-286, 293, 295-300, 323-324,
 328, 359-360, 363-364, 409-410, 447-450, 461-
 464, 473-476, 495-496, 505-506, 547-550, 573-
 574, 609-610, 613, 617-659, 662, 664-670.
22, 93-94a, 105, 108, 118, 123, 128, 132, 147-                4  March 30, 1987.
 148, 153-153b, 177b, 177g-177k, 267, 269,
 283-284, 301-302, 336-336b, 375-376, 396,
 433-434, 437-438, 455-456, 459-460, 465-466,
 479-486, 507-510, 515-516, 523-524, 529-532,
 543-546, 561-562, 575-576, 581-582, 660-661,
 663.
691, 693, 695, 697, 700, 705-706, 711-713,                    6  March 28, 1989.
 716, 721-723, 730-731, 753, 835-836, 850,
 853-854, 861-862a, 875-876, 883-884, 897-
 902, 929-936, 981-986, 991-992, 995-996,
 1005-1006, 1017-1022, 1025-1026, 1031-1032,
 1059-1060, 1063-1064, 1083-1084, 1087-1088,
 1101-1102, 1113-1114, 1117, 1120-1121, 1128.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, 
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

                                  Table 3.--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Revision
            Airbus service bulletin                 level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-24-6045...................................          05  June 9, 2006.
A300-24-6069...................................          01  April 27, 2006.
A310-24-2014...................................           7  January 17, 1990.
A310-24-2056...................................          02  June 9, 2006.
A310-24-2079...................................          01  April 27, 2006.
A310-24-2099, including Appendices A, B, and C.          01  October 4, 2006.
A310-29-2036...................................          03  June 9, 2006.
A310-36-2010...................................          03  May 24, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 21, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20027 Filed 10-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P