[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60240-60243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20820]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27927; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-182-AD; 
Amendment 39-15239; AD 2007-22-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 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 A300 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. 
This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources 
inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors 
caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance 
actions, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of 
the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 28, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 60241]]

of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 28, 2007.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

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

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Airbus A300 series 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 20, 
2007 (72 FR 19823). That NPRM proposed to require revising the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank 
systems.

Actions Since NPRM Was Issued

    After we issued the NPRM, Airbus published the A300 Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1928/05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 
2007 (approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on July 6, 
2007) (hereafter referred to as ``Document 95A.1928/05''). In the NPRM, 
we referred to Issue 1 of Document 95A.1928/05, dated December 19, 
2005, as the appropriate source of service information for 
accomplishing the actions proposed in the NPRM. The fuel airworthiness 
limitations (FALs) specified in Issue 2 of Document 95A.1928/05 are the 
same as those in Issue 1 of Document 95A.1928/05. Airbus has revised 
certain task titles in Section 1 of Issue 2 of Document 95A.1928/05 and 
has clarified the applicability and corrected certain airplane 
maintenance manual (AMM) references in Section 2 of the document. 
Therefore, we have revised this AD by referring to Issue 2 of Document 
95A.1928/05 as the appropriate source of service information.
    After we issued the NPRM, EASA issued airworthiness directive 2007-
0094 R1 dated May 2, 2007, to correct certain compliance times; our 
NPRM included the correct compliance times, which we explained as 
differences between the NPRM and EASA airworthiness directive 2006-
0200, dated July 11, 2006. The compliance times in this AD already 
correspond with the compliance times of EASA airworthiness directive 
2007-0094 R1. Therefore, we have revised paragraph (k) of this AD to 
refer to EASA airworthiness directive 2007-0094 R1.
    After we issued the NPRM, Airbus published Operator Information 
Telex (OIT) SE 999.0079/07, Revision 01, dated August 14, 2007, to 
identify the applicable sections of the Airbus A300 AMM necessary for 
accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1928/05. 
We have added a note to paragraph (f) of this AD to refer to that OIT.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Request To Clarify the Initial Compliance Time

    TradeWinds Airlines requests that we revise paragraph (f) of the 
NPRM to clarify that the ``INTERVAL'' values specified in Section 1 of 
Document 95A.1928/05 are also the initial threshold values. The 
commenter states that it is unclear whether the initial compliance 
times are the interval values.
    We agree that the values specified in the ``INTERVAL'' column of 
the ``MAINTENANCE/INSPECTION TASKS'' table in Section 1 of Document 
95A.1928/05 should be used as the initial compliance time, as well as 
the repetitive interval. We have also clarified the compliance time in 
paragraph (f) of this AD by adding the word ``thereafter'' to more 
clearly state that `` * * * the repetitive inspections must be 
accomplished thereafter * * *.''

Request To Revise ``Relevant Service Information'' Section

    Airbus requests that we revise the ``Relevant Service Information'' 
section to state that ``Section 1, `Maintenance/Inspection Tasks,' of 
Document 95A.1928/05 describes certain FAL inspections, which are 
periodic inspections of certain features for latent failures that could 
contribute to a fire.'' In the NPRM, we specified that the latent 
failures could contribute to an ignition source. As justification, 
Airbus states that not all three tasks identified in Section 1 of 
Document 95A.1928/05 contribute to minimizing the risk of an ignition 
source: Only Task 3 minimizes the risk of an ignition source, while 
Tasks 1 and 2 minimize the occurrence of a combustible environment. We 
agree with Airbus's statements. However, we have not revised this AD in 
this regard since the ``Relevant Service Information'' section is not 
retained in a final rule.

Request To Revise the Unsafe Condition

    Airbus states that it does not agree that there is an unsafe 
condition on Model A300 series airplanes, prior to accomplishing the 
maintenance/inspection tasks in Section 1 of Document 95A.1928/05. 
Airbus agrees that performing these tasks contributes to minimizing the 
risk of either an ignition source (Task 3) or the occurrence of a 
combustible environment (Tasks 1 and 2). In regard to the critical 
design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs), Airbus states that 
no unsafe condition exists at delivery, and that no unsafe condition 
will develop provided that operators observe the CDCCLs after delivery. 
Airbus further states that the CDCCLs are introduced to reduce the risk 
that an operator may inadvertently alter the design or installation, 
thus introducing a less safe configuration.
    We infer Airbus would like us to revise the unsafe condition in 
this AD to incorporate its comments. We do not agree to revise the 
unsafe condition of this AD. Fuel airworthiness limitations (FALs) are 
items arising from a systems safety analysis that have been shown to 
have failure modes associated with an unsafe condition, as defined in 
FAA Memorandum 2003-112-15, ``SFAR 88--Mandatory Action Decision 
Criteria,'' dated February 25, 2003. These FALs are identified in 
failure conditions for which an unacceptable probability of ignition 
risk could exist if specific tasks or practices or both are not 
performed in accordance with a manufacturer's requirements. As Airbus 
notes, if an operator does not observe the CDCCLs after delivery, then 
an unsafe condition could occur. For this reason we must mandate 
Document 95A.1928/05 to ensure the CDCCLs are observed. We have not 
changed this AD in this regard.

[[Page 60242]]

Requests To Clarify the Requirements of Paragraph (h)

    Airbus requests that we revise paragraph (h) of the NPRM to state 
that operators are required to update their internal procedures and 
documentation to ensure appropriate management and control of the 
CDCCLs specified in Section 2 of Document 95A.1928/05. Airbus states 
that paragraph (h) of the NPRM is unclear about what an operator is 
expected to do with the CDCCLs. Airbus further states that paragraph 
(h) of the NPRM tells operators to add the CDCCLs to the ALS, but 
Airbus states that it has already done so for operators. Airbus also 
states that the ALS is part of the type certification (TC) 
documentation and is not changed by operators. TradeWinds Airlines 
requests that we provide guidance as to what is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of the NPRM. 
TradeWinds Airlines states that simply listing the CDCCLs in a 
maintenance schedule would have little or no effect on preserving 
critical ignition source prevention features. The commenter further 
states that the Airbus A300 AMM would be the source of the approved 
data for accomplishing the tasks related to the CDCCLs, and that 
revisions to the AMM would be sufficient for providing instruction to 
retain the critical ignition source prevention features.
    Although we understand Airbus's concerns and welcome any feedback 
that would improve the readability or usability of an AD, the suggested 
language is too vague to be legally enforceable, so we cannot use it in 
this AD. We understand that Airbus has revised its airworthiness 
limitations document. However, according to section 39.7 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.7), no person may operate a product 
unless the requirements of an applicable AD have been met. The burden 
is placed on the operator, not on the manufacturer, to ensure that the 
requirements of an AD are met. The requirement, as stated in the NPRM, 
is for the operator to revise its copy of the airworthiness limitations 
document. This ensures that each affected operator maintains a current 
copy of the required airworthiness limitations.
    Concerning Airbus's statement that paragraph (h) of the NPRM does 
not clearly specify what an operator is expected to with the CDCCLs, we 
clarify that paragraph (h) requires affected operators to revise their 
copies of the airworthiness limitations document to include the CDCCL 
requirements. This is the only requirement imposed under this AD for 
CDCCLs; once this revision has been accomplished, compliance with 
paragraph (h) of this AD has been completed. Subsequently, section 
91.403(c) of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 91.403(c)) 
requires an affected operator to comply with the revised Airworthiness 
Limitations document. Ensuring that one's maintenance program and the 
actions of its maintenance personnel are in accordance with the 
Airworthiness Limitations is required, but not by the AD. According to 
14 CFR 91.403(c), no person may operate an aircraft for which 
airworthiness limitations have been issued unless those limitations 
have been complied with. Therefore, there is no need to further expand 
the requirements of the AD beyond that which was proposed because 14 
CFR 91.403(c) already imposes the appropriate required action after the 
airworthiness limitations are revised. We have not changed this AD in 
this regard.

Request To Cite Airbus ALS Part 5

    Airbus disagrees with the statement that it has not yet published a 
document titled, ``Airbus ALS Part 5, Fuel Airworthiness Limitations,'' 
for Model A300 series airplanes. We made that statement in the 
``Clarification of Service Information'' section of the NPRM. Airbus 
acknowledges that Document 95A.1928/05 has not yet been written in the 
ALS Part 5 format, but that it intends to do so after Issue 2 of 
Document 95A.1928/05 has been approved. Airbus states that EASA 
airworthiness directive 2007-0094 R1 correctly refers to Document 
95A.1928/05, since that document contains the actual limitations.
    We infer that Airbus requests we revise paragraphs (f) and (h) of 
this AD to incorporate the information in `` * * * Airbus ALS Part 5, 
Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, as defined in Airbus A300 Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1928/05. * * *'' We agree that 
the relevant fuel airworthiness limitations are specified in Document 
95A.1928/05. In review of the service information Airbus has published 
on-line, we could not find any document titled ``Airbus ALS Part 5, 
Fuel Airworthiness Limitations.'' The Office of the Federal Register 
(OFR) requires that we incorporate by reference all the documents that 
are necessary for accomplishing the requirements of this AD. Further, 
we are required to cite the document title exactly as it appears on the 
document. Since the limitations are in Document 95A.1928/05, we do not 
need to refer to Airbus ALS Part 5. We have not changed this AD in this 
regard.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 30 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required 
actions take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate 
of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
AD for U.S. operators is $4,800, or $160 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

[[Page 60243]]

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.

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):

2007-22-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-15239. Docket No. FAA-2007-27927; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-182-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 28, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, except Airbus Model A300-600 series 
airplanes.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections and critical design 
configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with the 
operator maintenance documents is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired 
in the areas addressed by these inspections and CDCCLs, the operator 
may not be able to accomplish the inspections and CDCCLs described 
in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 
91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative 
method of compliance according to paragraph (j) of this AD. The 
request should include a description of changes to the required 
inspections and CDCCLs that will preserve the critical ignition 
source prevention feature of the affected fuel system.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent potential of 
ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with 
flammable fuel vapors caused by latent failures, alterations, 
repairs, or maintenance actions, could result in fuel tank 
explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

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.

Revise Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) To Incorporate Fuel 
Maintenance and Inspection Tasks

    (f) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to 
incorporate Airbus A300 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 
95A.1928/05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007 (approved by the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on July 6, 2007), Section 1, 
``Maintenance/Inspection Tasks.'' For all tasks identified in 
Section 1 of Document 95A.1928/05, the initial compliance times 
start from the later of the times specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and 
(f)(2) of this AD, and the repetitive inspections must be 
accomplished thereafter at the intervals specified in Section 1 of 
Document 95A.1928/05, except as provided by paragraph (g) of this 
AD.
    (1) The effective date of this AD.
    (2) The date of issuance of the original French standard 
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original 
French export certificate of airworthiness.

    Note 2: Airbus Operator Information Telex SE 999.0079/07, 
Revision 01, dated August 14, 2007, identifies the applicable 
sections of the Airbus A300 airplane maintenance manual necessary 
for accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of Document 
95A.1928/05.

Initial Compliance Time for Task 28-18-00-03-1

    (g) For Task 28-18-00-03-1 identified in Section 1 of Document 
95A.1928/05, ``Maintenance/Inspection Tasks,'' of Airbus A300 Fuel 
Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1928/05, Issue 2, dated May 
11, 2007 (approved by the EASA on July 6, 2007): The initial 
compliance time is the later of the times specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD. Thereafter, Task 28-18-00-03-1 must be 
accomplished at the repetitive interval specified in Section 1 of 
Document 95A.1928/05.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 40,000 total flight hours.
    (2) Within 72 months or 20,000 flight hours after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

Revise ALS To Incorporate CDCCLs

    (h) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to 
incorporate Airbus A300 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 
95A.1928/05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007 (approved by the EASA on 
July 6, 2007), Section 2, ``Critical Design Configuration Control 
Limitations.''

No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or CDCCLs

    (i) Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD: After 
accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (f) and (h) of 
this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs 
may be used.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
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.

Related Information

    (k) EASA airworthiness directive 2007-0094 R1, dated May 2, 
2007, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Airbus A300 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, 
Document 95A.1928/05, Issue 2, dated May 11, 2007, 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 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.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 15, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-20820 Filed 10-23-07; 8:45 am]
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