[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 21 (Thursday, January 31, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5731-5733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1462]



[[Page 5731]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0172; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-225-AD; 
Amendment 39-15353; AD 2008-03-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, 
A300 C4-600R, and A300 F4-600R 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:

    [T]he FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation 
Regulation 88). * * *

    Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for 
passenger transport aircraft * * * are required to conduct a design 
review against explosion risks.

    The replacement of some types of P-clips and improvement of the 
electrical bonding of the equipment in the fuel tanks are rendered 
mandatory by this AD.

The unsafe condition is damage to wiring in the wing, center, and trim 
fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring and 
pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in the 
wing, center, or trim fuel tanks. We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 6, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 6, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
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 November 9, 2007 (72 
FR 63503). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    [T]he FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation 
Regulation 88). In their letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01-L296, 
dated March 4th, 2002 and 04/00/02/07/03-L024, dated February 3rd, 
2003, the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) recommended the 
application of a similar regulation to the National Aviation 
Authorities (NAA).

    Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for 
passenger transport aircraft with either a passenger capacity of 30 
or more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds (3402 kg) or more, 
which have received their certification since January 1st, 1958, are 
required to conduct a design review against explosion risks.

    The replacement of some types of P-clips and improvement of the 
electrical bonding of the equipment in the fuel tanks are rendered 
mandatory by this AD.


    Note: Initially, EASA AD 2006-0325, which addresses the same 
unsafe condition, also applied to A300-600 aircraft. The approval 
holder subsequently introduced additional work at revision 1 of SB 
(service bulletin) A300-28-6064 applicable to A300-600 aircraft. [On 
September 21, 2007, the FAA issued parallel AD 2007-20-04 for only 
Airbus Model A300 Airplanes and Model A310 Airplanes, which was 
published in the Federal Register (72 FR 56258, October 3, 2007).]


    As a result, AD 2006-0325 has been revised to remove A300-600 
aircraft from applicability, and this new AD applicable to A300-600 
aircraft is issued.

    The unsafe condition is damage to wiring in the wing, center, and 
trim fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring 
and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in the 
wing, center, or trim fuel tanks. The corrective action is checking the 
electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the center fuel tank 
for the presence of a blue coat and doing related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary. The related investigative action is to 
measure the electrical resistance between the equipment and structure, 
if a blue coat is not present. The corrective action is to electrically 
bond the equipment, if the measured resistance is greater than 10 
milliohms. The corrective action also includes installing new bonding 
leads and electrical bonding points on certain equipment in the left 
and right wing fuel tanks and center fuel tank. 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 
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

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 114 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 632 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $6,870 
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 parts. 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 the 
U.S. operators to be $6,547,020, or $57,430 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,

[[Page 5732]]

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://www.regulations.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:

2008-03-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-15353. Docket No. FAA-2007-0172; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-225-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 6, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes (without trim 
tank), all serial numbers, certificated in any category, except 
airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 12226, 12365, 12490, and 
12308 have been incorporated in production, or Airbus Service 
Bulletins A300-28-6064, Revision 01, dated April 3, 2007; and A300-
28-6068, dated July 20, 2005; have been performed in service.
    (2) Airbus Model A300 B4-600R, A300 C4-600R, and A300 F4-600R 
series airplanes (fitted with a trim tank), all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category, except airplanes on which Airbus 
Modifications 12226, 12365, 12490, 12308, 12294, and 12476 have been 
incorporated in production, or on which the service bulletins listed 
in paragraphs (c)(2)(i), (c)(2)(ii), and (c)(2)(iii) of this AD have 
been performed in service.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 01, dated 
April 3, 2007.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated July 20, 2005.
    (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6077, dated July 25, 2005; 
or A300-28-6077, Revision 01, dated October 26, 2006.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    [T]he FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation 
Regulation 88). In their letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01-L296, 
dated March 4th, 2002 and 04/00/02/07/03-L024, dated February 3rd, 
2003, the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) recommended the 
application of a similar regulation to the National Aviation 
Authorities (NAA).

    Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for 
passenger transport aircraft with either a passenger capacity of 30 
or more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds (3402 kg) or more, 
which have received their certification since January 1st, 1958, are 
required to conduct a design review against explosion risks.

    The replacement of some types of P-clips and improvement of the 
electrical bonding of the equipment in the fuel tanks are rendered 
mandatory by this AD.


    Note: Initially, EASA AD 2006-0325, which addresses the same 
unsafe condition, also applied to A300-600 aircraft. The approval 
holder subsequently introduced additional work at revision 1 of SB 
(service bulletin) A300-28-6064 applicable to A300-600 aircraft. [On 
September 21, 2007, the FAA issued parallel AD 2007-20-04 for only 
Airbus Model A300 Airplanes and Model A310 Airplanes, which was 
published in the Federal Register (72 FR 56258, October 3, 2007).]


    As a result, AD 2006-0325 has been revised to remove A300-600 
aircraft from applicability, and this new AD applicable to A300-600 
aircraft is issued.

The unsafe condition is damage to wiring in the wing, center, and 
trim fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring 
and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in 
the wing, center, or trim fuel tanks. The corrective action is 
checking the electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the 
center fuel tank for the presence of a blue coat and doing related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The related 
investigative action is to measure the electrical resistance between 
the equipment and structure, if a blue coat is not present. The 
corrective action is to electrically bond the equipment, if the 
measured resistance is greater than 10 milliohms. The corrective 
action also includes installing new bonding leads and electrical 
bonding points on certain equipment in the left and right wing fuel 
tanks and center fuel tank.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within 40 months after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Remove NSA5516-XXND or NSA5516-XXNJ type P-clips, used in 
the wing and center fuel tanks to retain wiring and pipes, and 
replace them by NSA5516-XXNF type P-clips in accordance with the 
instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated July 20, 
2005.
    (2) Check the electrical bonding points in the center tank and 
do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, and 
install additional bonding leads and electrical bonding points in 
the wing and center fuel tanks in accordance with the instructions 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 01, dated April 3, 
2007. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions 
before further flight.
    (3) For airplanes fitted with a trim tank, in addition to the 
actions defined in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, install 
bonding leads and electrical bonding points in the trim tanks, in 
accordance with the instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-
6077, Revision 01, dated October 26, 2006.
    (4) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service

[[Page 5733]]

Bulletin A300-28-6064, dated July 28, 2005, for aircraft under 
configuration 05, as defined in the service bulletin, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(2) 
of this AD.
    (5) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6077, dated July 25, 
2005, for aircraft under configuration 05, as defined in the service 
bulletin, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: The applicability of the MCAI does not address Airbus 
Modification 12490. We have added this Modification number to the 
applicability of this AD, as requested by Airbus and coordinated 
with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

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 98057-3356; 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 2007-0233, dated 
August 27, 2007, and the service information listed in Table 1 of 
this AD, for related information.

                                          Table 1.--Service Information
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        Airbus Service Bulletin                Revision level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-28-6064...........................  01........................  April 3, 2007.
A300-28-6068...........................  Original..................  July 20, 2005.
A300-28-6077...........................  01........................  October 26, 2006.
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Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 2 of 
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (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 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Airbus Service Bulletin                Revision level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-28-6064...........................  01........................  April 3, 2007.
A300-28-6068...........................  Original..................  July 20, 2005.
A300-28-6077...........................  01........................  October 26, 2006.
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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 18, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1462 Filed 1-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P