[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 217 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63506-63508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22002]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0171; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-220-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 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 supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes. The existing AD currently requires modification of certain 
wires in the right-hand (RH) wing. This proposed AD would require 
further modification by installing an additional protection sleeve and 
segregating route 2S in the RH pylon area. This proposed AD results 
from analysis of wire routing that revealed that route 2S of the fuel 
electrical circuit, located in the RH wing, does not provide adequate 
separation of fuel quantity indication wires from wires carrying 115-
volt alternating current (AC). We are proposing this AD to ensure that 
fuel quantity indication wires are properly separated from wires 
carrying 115-volt AC. Improper separation of such wires, in the event 
of wire damage, could lead to a short circuit and a possible ignition 
source, which could result in a fire in the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 10, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0171; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-220-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On July 19, 2004, we issued AD 2004-15-16, amendment 39-13750 (69 
FR 45578, July 30, 2004), for certain Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes. That AD requires modification of certain wires in the right-
hand (RH) wing. That AD resulted from analysis of wire routing that 
revealed that route 2S of the fuel electrical circuit, located in the 
RH wing, does not provide adequate separation of fuel quantity 
indication wires from wires carrying 115-volt alternating current (AC). 
We issued that AD to ensure that fuel quantity indication wires are 
properly separated from wires carrying 115-volt AC. Improper separation 
of such wires, in the event of wire damage, could lead to a short 
circuit and a possible ignition source, which could result in a fire in 
the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2004-15-16, the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Community, informed us that additional work is necessary that 
was not included in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2148, dated January 23, 2002; and Revision 01, dated 
October 29, 2002. We referred to Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, 
Revision 01, dated October 29, 2002, as the appropriate source of 
service information for doing the modification required by AD 2004-15-
16.

[[Page 63507]]

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated 
March 9, 2007. Revision 02 of the service bulletin describes 
essentially the same procedures for doing the modification of certain 
wires in the RH wing, except that Revision 02 specifies doing further 
modification by installing additional protection sleeves in the outer 
wing area near the cadensicon sensor and segregating wire route 2S in 
the RH pylon area.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. EASA mandated the 
service information and issued EASA airworthiness directive 2007-0230, 
dated August 15, 2007, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in the European Union. EASA airworthiness directive 2007-0230 
supersedes French airworthiness directive 2002-578(B), dated November 
27, 2002, which was referenced in AD 2004-15-16 as the parallel French 
airworthiness directive.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These airplanes 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 EASA has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the EASA's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    This proposed AD would supersede AD 2004-15-16 and would retain the 
requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require 
accomplishing the actions specified in Revision 02 of the service 
bulletin described previously.

Change to Existing AD

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2004-15-16. 
Since AD 2004-15-16 was issued, the AD format has been revised, and 
certain paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding 
paragraph identifiers have changed in this proposed AD, as listed in 
the following table:

                      Revised Paragraph Identifiers
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                                           Corresponding  requirement in
      Requirement in  AD 2004-15-16              this proposed  AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paragraph (a)...........................  Paragraph (f).
Paragraph (b)...........................  Paragraph (g).
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Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the existing AD to identify 
affected airplanes in parallel with the applicability of EASA 
airworthiness directive 2007-0230. No additional airplanes have been 
added to the applicability of the existing AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                          Number of U.S.-
                         Action                             Work hours     Average labor       Parts         Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                                           rate per hour                     airplane        airplanes
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Modification (required by AD 2004-15-16)................              35             $80          $4,459          $7,259              68        $493,612
Further Modification (new proposed action)..............              22              80           1,870           3,630              68         246,840
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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 
removing amendment 39-13750 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004) and adding the

[[Page 63508]]

following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-0171; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
220-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December 
10, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-15-16.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model A310 series airplanes, certificated 
in any category, all certified models, all serial numbers, except 
airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 
02, dated March 9, 2007, has been done (Airbus Modifications 12427 
and 12435).

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from analysis of wire routing that revealed 
that route 2S of the fuel electrical circuit, located in the right-
hand (RH) wing, does not provide adequate separation of fuel 
quantity indication wires from wires carrying 115-volt alternating 
current (AC). We are issuing this AD to ensure that fuel quantity 
indication wires are properly separated from wires carrying 115-volt 
AC. Improper separation of such wires, in the event of wire damage, 
could lead to a short circuit and a possible ignition source, which 
could result in a fire in 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.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2004-15-16

Modification

    (f) Within 4,000 flight hours after September 3, 2004 (the 
effective date of AD 2004-15-16): Modify the routing of wires in the 
RH wing by installing cable sleeves, per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, 
dated October 29, 2002; or Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007. As of 
the effective date of this AD, Revision 02 must be used.

Actions Accomplished Previously

    (g) Modification of the routing of wires accomplished before 
September 3, 2004, per Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, dated 
January 23, 2002, is acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Modification (Additional Work)

    (h) For airplanes on which the actions specified in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, dated January 23, 2002; or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, dated October 29, 2002; 
have been done before the effective date of this AD: Within 6,000 
flight hours or 30 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, perform further modification by installing 
additional protection sleeves in the outer wing area near the 
cadensicon sensor and segregating wire route 2S in the RH pylon 
area, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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

    (j) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive 
2007-0230, dated August 15, 2007, also addresses the subject of this 
AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-22002 Filed 11-8-07; 8:45 am]
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