AD 2005-10-15

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus model airplanes, as specified above. This AD requires modifying the electrical bonding points of additional center tanks. This AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient bonding, which could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.

Final rule.

2005-10-15 Airbus: Amendment 39-14092. Docket No. FAA-2005-20625; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-148-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective June 22, 2005.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to the airplanes listed in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category, equipped with one or more additional center tanks (ACTs).

Table 1.--Applicability

Airbus model
As identified in

A300 B4 600, B4 600R, and F4 600R series airplanes, and Model C4 605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300 600 series airplanes).
Airbus Service Bulletin A300 28 6060, dated December 7, 1999.

A310 series airplanes
Airbus Service Bulletin A310 28 2137, Revision 02, dated April 7, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient bonding, whichcould result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.

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.

Modify the Electrical Bonding Points

(f) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the electrical bonding points of the ACT(s), by doing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6060, dated December 7, 1999 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2137, Revision 02, dated April 7, 2003 (for Model A310 series airplanes); as applicable.

Credit for Previous Service Bulletins

(g ) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2137, dated December 7, 1999; or Revision 01, dated January 12, 2002; are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h) 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.

Related Information

(i) French airworthiness directive 2003-161(B), dated April 30, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6060, dated December 7, 1999; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-28-2137, Revision 02, dated April 7, 2003; as applicable; to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Toview the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service information, go to 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.

The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an AD 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); and Model A310 series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2005 (70 FR 12816), proposed to require modifying the electrical bonding points of additional center tanks.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed AD 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

This AD affects about 2 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions will take about 48 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Requiredparts will cost about $470 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $7,180, or $3,590 per airplane.

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. 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):