[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 16, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2795-2797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-370]


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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; 
Amendment 39-15330; AD 2008-01-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), that applies to certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. That 
AD currently requires modification of certain wires in the right-hand 
(RH) wing. This new AD requires further modification by installing an 
additional protection sleeve and segregating route 2S in the RH pylon 
area. This 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 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 20, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of February 20, 
2008.
    On September 3, 2004 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004), the Director of 
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, dated October 29, 2002.

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

[[Page 2796]]

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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
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 supersedes AD 2004-15-16, amendment 
39-13750 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004). The existing AD applies to 
certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on November 9, 2007 (72 FR 63506). That NPRM 
proposed to continue to require modification of certain wires in the 
right-hand (RH) wing. That NPRM also proposed to require further 
modification by installing an additional protection sleeve and 
segregating route 2S in the RH pylon area.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                          Number of U.S.-
                         Action                             Work hours     Average labor       Parts         Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                                           rate per hour                     airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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 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 
removing amendment 39-13750 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004) and by adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2008-01-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-15330. Docket No. FAA-2007-0171; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-220-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 20, 2008.

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,

[[Page 2797]]

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 
01, dated October 29, 2002; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, 
Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007; as applicable, to perform the 
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, 
Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) On September 3, 2004 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, 
dated October 29, 2002.
    (3) 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 January 3, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-370 Filed 1-15-08; 8:45 am]
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