[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28244]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 220
Wednesday, November 16, 1994
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and
B4-203 Series Airplanes; and Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603, and
B4-601 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 and
A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of
the fuel tank jettison system. This proposal is prompted by a quality
survey which revealed that the electrical bonding of the fuel jettison
system has insufficient protection from a lightning strike. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent electrical arcing
and resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 28, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-136-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103,
and B4-203 series airplanes, and Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603,
and B4-601 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the results of a
quality survey, conducted by Airbus Industrie, revealed that the
electrical bonding of the fuel jettison system has insufficient
protection from a lightning strike. Investigation revealed that the
existing lightning protection could fail to adequately safeguard the
fuel jettison pipe against a lightning strike at the fuel pipe exit.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing and
resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.
Airbus has issued Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A065, Revision 1,
dated February 14, 1994 (for Model A300 series airplanes), and Alert
Service Bulletin A300-28A6033, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994 (for
Model A300-600 series airplanes), which describe procedures for
modification of the fuel tank jettison system. This modification
involves removing the bonding strap that bridges the flexible hose and
installing a new thicker bonding strap from the fuel jettison pipe to
the No. 5 flap track beam, which will improve the electrical bonding at
both ends. Accomplishment of this modification will improve the bonding
method at the interface of the fuel jettison pipe and the adjacent fuel
tank. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and
issued French Airworthiness Directive 93-074-144(B), dated May 12,
1993, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes
in France.
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require modification of the
fuel tank jettison system. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described
previously.
The FAA estimates that 34 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 21 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $42,840, or $1,260 per airplane.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. -
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Docket 94-NM-136-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 series
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 0013 has been installed; and
Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603, and B4-601 series airplanes
on which Airbus Modification 4607 has not been installed;
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent electrical arcing and resultant fire in the event of
a lightning strike, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the fuel tank jettison system in accordance with Airbus Alert
Service Bulletin A300-28A065, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994
(for Model A300 series airplanes), or Airbus Alert Service Bulletin
A300-28A6033, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994 (for Model A300-
600 series airplanes); as applicable.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 1994.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-28244 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
