AD 2006-15-09

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 airplanes and Model A310 airplanes, and for certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the wing and center fuel tanks to determine if certain P-clips are installed and corrective action if necessary. This AD also requires an inspection of electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the center fuel tank for the presence of a blue coat and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires installation of new bonding leads and electrical bonding points on certain equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks, as necessary. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure continuous electrical bonding protection of equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks and to prevent damage to wiring in the wing and center 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 fuel tanks.

Final rule.

2006-15-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-14689. Docket No. FAA-2006-24779; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-044-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective August 29, 2006.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.

(1) All Model A300 airplanes and Model A310 airplanes.

(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; except those airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and (c)(2)(ii) of this AD.

(i) Airplanes not equipped with trim fuel tanks on which Airbus Modifications 12226, 12365, and 12308 have been incorporated in production.

(ii) Airplanes equipped with trim fuel tanks on which Airbus Modifications 12226, 12365, 12308, 12294, and 12476 have been incorporated in production.Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure continuous electrical bonding protection of equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks and to prevent damage to wiring in the wing and center 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 fuel tanks.

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.

Service Bulletin References

(f) The term "service bulletin," as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable.

Table 1.--Service Bulletin References

For Airbus
And the actions specified in
Use Airbus Service Bulletin
Dated

Paragraph (g) of this AD
A300 28 0081
July 20, 2005.
Model A300 airplanes
Paragraph (h) of this AD
A300 28 0079
September 29, 2005.

Paragraph (g) of this AD
A310 28 2143
July 20, 2005.

Paragraph (h) of this AD
A310 28 2142
August 26, 2005.
Model A310 airplanes
Paragraph (i) of this AD
A310 28 2153
July 20, 2005.

Paragraph (g) of this AD
A300 28 6068
July 20, 2005.

Paragraph (h) of this AD
A300 28 6064
July 28, 2005.

Model A300 B4 601, B4 603, B4 620, and B4 622 airplanes; Model A300 B4 605R and B4 622R airplanes; Model A300 F4 605R and F4 622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4 605R Variant F airplanes.
Paragraph (i) of this AD
A300 28 6077
July 25, 2005.

Inspection and Corrective Actions

(g) Within 59 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of the right and left wing fuel tanks and center fuel tank, if applicable, to determine if any NSA5516-XXND and NSA5516-XXNJ type P-clips are installed for retaining wiring and pipes in any tank,and do all applicable corrective actions before further flight after the inspection, by accomplishing all the actions specified in the service bulletin.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: "A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked."

Installation of Bonding Leads and Points for Wing and Center Fuel Tanks

(h) Within 59 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the actions specifiedin paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, by accomplishing all the actions specified in the service bulletin.

(1) In the center fuel tank, if applicable, do a general visual inspection of the electrical bonding points of the equipment identified in the service bulletin for the presence of a blue coat, and do all related investigative and corrective actions before further flight after the inspection.

(2) In the left and right wing fuel tanks and center fuel tank, if applicable, install bonding leads and electrical bonding points on the equipment identified in the service bulletin.

Installation of Bonding Leads and Points for the Trim Fuel Tank

(i) For Model A310 airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; equipped with a trim fuel tank: Within 59 months after the effective date of this AD, install a new bonding lead(s) on the water drain system of the trim fuel tank and install electrical bonding points on the equipment identified in the service bulletin in the trim fuel tank, by accomplishing all the actions specified in the service bulletin, as applicable.

Parts Installation

(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any NSA5516-XXND or NSA5516-XXNJ type P-clip for retaining wiring and pipes in any wing, center, or trim fuel tank, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(k)(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) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(l) French airworthiness directive F-2006-031, dated February 1, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(m) You must use the Airbus service bulletins identified in Table 2 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .

Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference

Airbus Service Bulletin
Dated
A300 28 0079
September 29, 2005.
A300 28 0081
July 20, 2005.
A300 28 6064
July 28, 2005.
A300 28 6068
July 20, 2005.
A300 28 6077
July 25, 2005.
A310 28 2142
August 26, 2005.
A310 28 2143
July 20, 2005.
A310 28 2153
July 20, 2005.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Airbus Model A300 airplanes and Model A310 airplanes, and for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2006 (71 FR 28611). That NPRM proposed to require an inspection of the wing and center fuel tanks to determine if certain P-clips are installed and corrective action if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require an inspection of electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the center fuel tank for the presence of a blue coat and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require installation of new bonding leads and electrical bonding points on certain equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks, as necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received no comments 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

There are about 29 Model A300 airplanes, 63 Model A310 airplanes, and 102 Model A300-600 series airplanes of the affected design in the U.S. fleet. The following table providesthe estimated costs, at an average labor rate of $80 per hour, for U.S. operators to comply with this AD. For some actions, the estimated work hours and cost of parts in the following table depend on the airplane configuration.

Model
Action
Work hours
Parts
Cost per airplane
Number of U.S.-registered airplanes
Fleet cost

Inspect wing and center fuel
tanks for P-clips.
40
None
$3,200
29
$92,800

A300 airplanes
Install bonding leads/points
in wing and center fuel tank.
136 155
$3,800 5,200
14,680 17,600
29
425,720
510,400

Inspect wing and center fuel
tanks for P-clips.
40
None
3,200
63
201,600

Install bonding leads/points
in wing and center fuel tank.
248 285
$8,840 9,190
28,680 31,990
63
1,806,840
2,015,370

A310 airplanes
Inspect and install bonding
leads/points in the trim fuel tank.53 61
$50 70
4,290 4,950
63
270,270
311,850

Inspect wing and center fuel
tanks for P-clips.
40
None
3,200
102
326,400

Install bonding leads/points
in wing and center fuel tank.
157 185

$8,840 9,190
21,400 23,990
102
2,182,800
2,446,980

A300 600 series airplanes
Inspect and install bonding
leads/points in the trim fuel tank.
2 61
50 70
210 4,950
102
21,420
504,900

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

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):