[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21397-21400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8220]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1060; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-015-AD; 
Amendment 39-16945; AD 2012-03-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. That AD currently 
requires, for certain airplanes, modifying the wire routing and 
installing additional protective sleeves. This new AD adds, for certain 
airplanes, modifying wire routings and installing a modified bracket. 
This AD was prompted by analyses of the wire routing showing that the 
route of the fuel electrical circuit in the right-hand wing must be 
modified in order to ensure better segregation between fuel quantity 
indication wires and the 115-volt alternating current wires. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent short circuits leading to arcing, and 
possible fuel tank explosion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 15, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 15, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 20, 
2008 (73 FR 2795, January 16, 2008).
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
September 3, 2004 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004).

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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,

[[Page 21398]]

Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; 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 October 11, 2011 (76 
FR 62653), and proposed to supersede AD 2008-01-05, Amendment 39-15330 
(73 FR 2795, January 16, 2008). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Within the scope of the Fuel System Safety Program (FSSP), 
analyses of the wire routing showed that the route 2S of the fuel 
electrical circuit in the Right Hand (RH) wing must be modified in 
order to ensure better segregation between fuel quantity indication 
wires and the 115 Volts Alternating Current (VAC) wires of route 2S.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in short circuits 
leading to arcing, and possible fuel tank explosion.
    To address this unsafe condition, [Direction 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile] DGAC France issued AD 
2002-578(B) [which corresponds to FAA AD 2004-15-16, Amendment 39-
13750 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004)] to require improvements of the 
design as specified in Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A310-28-2148 
original issue or Revision 01. EASA AD 2007-0230 [which corresponds 
to FAA AD 2008-01-05 (73 FR 2795, January 16, 2008)], which 
superseded DGAC France AD 2002-578(B), required those same actions, 
plus additional work as defined in Airbus SB A310-28-2148 Revision 
02.
    Since EASA AD 2007-0230 was issued, an operator reported the 
possibility of chafing with the new routing of the wire bundle 2S in 
the RH wing pylon area to the generator wire bundle of engine 2. The 
modification of this zone was introduced by A310-28-2148 Revision 02 
as additional work. Investigation showed that, to avoid the risk of 
chafing, the affected wiring harnesses must be installed at a higher 
position to provide sufficient clearance with the newly routed wire 
bundle 2S conduit.
    Airbus published Revision 03 of SB A310-28-2148 to describe 
these changes, but a new interference has been found and requires 
updating SB A310-28-2148 to Revision 04 [or 05].
    For the reasons described above, this new [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2007-0230, which is superseded, and requires 
the additional work as specified in Revision 04 [or 05] of Airbus SB 
A310-28-2148.

Required actions include modifying the wire routings and installing a 
modified bracket. 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 considered the comments received.

Request To Reference Latest Service Information

    FedEx noted that Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-
28-2148, Revision 06, dated August 31, 2011.
    We infer that FedEx is requesting that we reference Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, dated August 31, 
2011, in this AD. We agree and have reviewed Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, dated August 31, 2011. We have 
added this reference to paragraphs (g), (i), (j), and (n) of this AD as 
an optional source of service information for doing the required 
actions.

Explanation of Additional Changes Made to This AD

    We have revised certain paragraph headers throughout this AD. We 
have also revised the wording in paragraphs (h) and (m) of this AD; 
this change has not changed the intent of those paragraphs.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the changes described previously--and minor editorial changes. 
We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 62653, October 11, 2011) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 62653, October 11, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 61 products of U.S. 
registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. 
operators to comply with this AD.

                                             Table--Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Number of
                                                   Average                   Cost per      U.S.-
              Action                 Work hours   labor rate     Parts       airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                                   per hour                              airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification (required by AD 2004-           35          $85       $4,459       $7,434           68     $505,512
 15-16, Amendment 39-13750 (69 FR
 45578, July 30, 2004))...........
Modification (required by AD 2008-           22           85        1,870        3,740           68      254,320
 01-05, Amendment 39-15330 (73 FR
 2795, January 16, 2008)).........
Modification (new action).........           62           85        2,210        7,480           61      456,280
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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 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:

[[Page 21399]]

    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

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 (76 FR 62653, October 11, 
2011), 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

    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 removing Amendment 39-15330 (73 FR 
2795, January 16, 2008) and adding the following new AD:

2012-03-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-16945. Docket No. FAA-2011-1060; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-015-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 15, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2008-01-05, Amendment 39-15330 (73 FR 
2795, January 16, 2008).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -
304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; certificated in any category; 
all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by analyses of the wire routing showing 
that the route of the fuel electrical circuit in the right-hand wing 
must be modified in order to ensure better segregation between fuel 
quantity indication wires and the 115-volt alternating current 
wires. We are issuing this AD to prevent short circuits leading to 
arcing, and possible fuel tank explosion.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Retained Modification With New Service Information

    This paragraph restates the modification required by paragraph 
(a) of AD 2004-15-16, Amendment 39-13750 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 
2004), with revised service information. For all airplanes except 
airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 
02, dated March 9, 2007, has been done (Airbus Modifications 12427 
and 12435): Within 4,000 flight hours after September 3, 2004 (the 
effective date of AD 2004-15-16), modify the routing of wires in the 
right hand (RH) wing by installing cable sleeves, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, 
Revision 01, dated October 29, 2002; Airbus Service Bulletin A310-
28-2148, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007; Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 05, dated August 3, 2010; or Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, dated August 
31, 2011. As of February 20, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-01-
05, Amendment 39-15330 (73 FR 2795, January 16, 2008)), Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007; 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 05, dated 
August 3, 2010; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, 
Revision 06, dated August 31, 2011; must be used. As of the 
effective date of this AD, Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-
28-2148, Revision 05, dated August 3, 2010; or Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, dated August 31, 2011; 
must be used.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the modification of the 
routing of wires required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if the 
modification was performed before September 3, 2004 (the effective 
date of AD 2004-15-16, Amendment 39-13750 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 
2004)), using Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, dated January 
23, 2002.

(i) Retained Modification With New Service Information

    This paragraph restates the modification required by paragraph 
(h) of AD 2008-01-05, Amendment 39-15330 (73 FR 2795, January 16, 
2008), with revised service information. 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 February 20, 2008 
(the effective date of AD 2008-01-05), except for airplanes on which 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated March 9, 
2007, has been done (Airbus Modifications 12427 and 12435): Within 
6,000 flight hours or 30 months after February 20, 2008, 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; Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 05, dated August 3, 2010; or 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, dated 
August 31, 2011. As of the effective date of this AD, Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 05, dated August 
3, 2010; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 
06, dated August 31, 2011; must be used.

(j) New Modification/Installation for Certain Airplanes

    For airplanes on which the actions specified in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007, have been 
accomplished, and do not have production modification 07633; and on 
which Airbus Service Bulletin A310-36-2015 has not been done: Within 
6,000 flight hours or 30 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, modify the wire routings, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A310-28-2148, Revision 05, dated August 3, 2010; or Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, dated August 31, 2011.

(k) New Modification/Installation for Certain Other Airplanes

    For airplanes on which the actions specified in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated March 9, 2007, have been 
accomplished, and have production modification 07633; or on which 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-36-2015 has been done: Within 1,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, install a modified 
bracket, in accordance with paragraph 3.B.(7), ``Additional Work 
2,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 05, dated August 3, 2010; or Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, dated August 
31, 2011.

(l) No Additional Modification/Installation for Certain Airplanes

    For airplanes on which the actions specified in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-

[[Page 21400]]

28-2148, Revision 03, dated June 2, 2009, have been accomplished; 
and have modification 07633 done in production; or on which the 
actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-36-2015 have been 
done; no further action is required by this AD.

(m) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for modifications required by 
paragraphs (g), (i), (j), and (k) of this AD, if the modifications 
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 04, dated April 
14, 2010.

(n) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD. AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2008-01-05, 
Amendment 39-15330 (73 FR 2795, January 16, 2008), are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (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.

(o) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0005, dated January 17, 2011, and the 
following service information for related information.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, dated 
October 29, 2002.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated 
March 9, 2007.
    (3) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 05, 
dated August 3, 2010.
    (4) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 06, 
dated August 31, 2011.

(p) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service 
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 15, 2012.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 05, 
dated August 3, 2010.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 
06, dated August 31, 2011.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
February 20, 2008 (73 FR 2795, January 16, 2008).
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 02, dated 
March 9, 2007.
    (5) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
September 3, 2004 (69 FR 45578, July 30, 2004).
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2148, Revision 01, dated 
October 29, 2002.
    (6) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (7) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (8) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 26, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-8220 Filed 4-9-12; 8:45 am]
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