[Federal Register: July 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 133)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38006-38008]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12jy07-9]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27768; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-174-AD;
Amendment 39-15123; AD 2007-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes. This AD requires revising the
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer.
We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources
inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors
caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance
actions, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of
the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 16, 2007. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain
publications listed in the AD as of August 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 Operations
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
located on the ground floor of the West 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 A330
and A340 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
April 5, 2007 (72 FR 16741). That NPRM proposed to require revising the
Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
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.
Changes to This AD
We have removed Model A330-302, A330-303, and A340-643 airplanes
from the applicability of this AD, since we have not yet certificated
those airplane models for operation in the U.S. If these airplane
models are certificated, the airworthiness
[[Page 38007]]
limitations required by this AD will be included as airworthiness
limitations in the FAA-approved type design.
In the NPRM, we referred to Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness
Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005
(approved by the EASA on April 28, 2006), as the appropriate source of
service information for revising the Airworthiness Limitations section
of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for Model A340
airplanes. We have revised paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD to
also refer to Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006 (approved by the EASA on
November 22, 2006); and Issue 3, dated November 23, 2006 (approved by
the EASA on February 26, 2007), of the Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness
Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05, as appropriate sources of service
information.
Airbus issued Operator Information Telex (OIT) SE 999.0076/06,
dated June 20, 2006, to identify the applicable sections of the Airbus
A330 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) necessary for accomplishing the
tasks specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05 and to identify
the applicable sections of the Airbus A340 AMM necessary for
accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1933/05.
We have added a note to paragraphs (f)(1) and (g)(1) of this AD to
refer to that OIT.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the
changes described previously. We have determined that these changes
will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase
the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 27 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required
actions take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate
of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
AD for U.S. operators is $4,320, or $160 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 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
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2007-14-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-15123. Docket No. FAA-2007-27768;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-174-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective August 16, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A330-201, A330-202,
A330-203, A330-223, A330-243, A330-301, A330-321, A330-322, A330-
323, A330-341, A330-342, and A330-343 airplanes; and Model A340-211,
A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312, A340-313, A340-541, and
A340-642 airplanes; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include a new inspection and critical
design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with
the operator maintenance documents is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c).
For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or
repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections and CDCCLs, the
operator may not be able to accomplish the inspection and CDCCLs
described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR
91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative
method of compliance according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The
request should include a description of changes to the required
inspections and CDCCLs that will preserve the critical ignition
source prevention feature of the affected fuel system.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of
ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors caused by latent failures, alterations,
repairs, or maintenance actions, could result in fuel tank
explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
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.
Revise Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) for Model A330 Airplanes
(f) For Model A330-201, A330-202, A330-203, A330-223, A330-243,
A330-301, A330-321, A330-322, A330-323, A330-341, A330-342, and
A330-343 airplanes: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1)
and (f)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to
incorporate Airbus A330 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations,
dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Airbus A330 Fuel Airworthiness
Limitations, Document 95A.1932/05, Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006
(approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on November
17, 2006), Section 1, ``Maintenance/Inspection Tasks'' (hereafter
referred to as ``Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05''). For the task
identified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05, the
[[Page 38008]]
initial compliance time starts from the later of the times specified
in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, and the
repetitive inspection must be accomplished thereafter at the
interval specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/05.
(i) The effective date of this AD.
(ii) The date of issuance of the original French standard
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original
French export certificate of airworthiness.
Note 2: Airbus Operator Information Telex (OIT) SE 999.0076/06,
dated June 20, 2006, identifies the applicable sections of the
Airbus A330 airplane maintenance manual (AMM) necessary for
accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1932/
05.
(2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to
incorporate Airbus A330 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations,
dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Airbus A330 Fuel Airworthiness
Limitations, Document 95A.1932/05, Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006
(approved by the EASA on November 17, 2006), Section 2, ``Critical
Design Configuration Control Limitations.''
Revise ALS for Model A340 Airplanes
(g) For Model A340-211, A340-212, A340-213, A340-311, A340-312,
A340-313, A340-541, and A340-642 airplanes: Do the actions specified
in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to
incorporate Airbus A340 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations,
dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Section 1, ``Maintenance/
Inspection Tasks,'' of Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations,
Document 95A.1933/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005 (approved by
the EASA on April 28, 2006); Issue 2, dated October 26, 2006
(approved by the EASA on November 22, 2006); or Issue 3, dated
November 23, 2006 (approved by the EASA on February 26, 2007) (all
of these issues are hereafter referred to as ``Section 1 of Document
95A.1933/05,'' as applicable). For the task identified in Section 1
of Document 95A.1933/05, the initial compliance time starts from the
effective date of this AD, and the repetitive inspection must be
accomplished thereafter at the interval specified in Section 1 of
Document 95A.1933/05.
Note 3: Airbus OIT SE 999.0076/06, dated June 20, 2006,
identifies the applicable sections of the Airbus A340 AMM necessary
for accomplishing the tasks specified in Section 1 of Document
95A.1933/05.
(2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise
the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to
incorporate Airbus A340 ALS Part 5--Fuel Airworthiness Limitations,
dated April 11, 2006, as defined in Section 2, ``Critical Design
Configuration Control Limitations,'' of Airbus A340 Fuel
Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05, Issue 1, dated
December 19, 2005 (approved by the EASA on April 28, 2006); Issue 2,
dated October 26, 2006 (approved by the EASA on November 22, 2006);
or Issue 3, dated November 23, 2006 (approved by the EASA on
February 26, 2007).
No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or CDCCLs
(h) Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD: After
accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (f) or (g) of this
AD, as applicable, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals,
or CDCCLs may be used.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
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.
Related Information
(j) EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0205, dated July 11, 2006;
and EASA airworthiness directive 2007-0023, dated January 25, 2007;
also address the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use the service information listed in Table 1 of
this AD, as applicable, 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 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 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service information Issue level Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus A330 ALS Part 5--Fuel Original....................... April 11, 2006.
Airworthiness Limitations.
Airbus A330 Fuel Airworthiness Issue 2........................ October 26, 2006.
Limitations, Document 95A.1932/05.
Airbus A340 ALS Part 5--Fuel Original....................... April 11, 2006.
Airworthiness Limitations.
Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Issue 1........................ December 19, 2005.
Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05.
Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Issue 2........................ October 26, 2006.
Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05.
Airbus A340 Fuel Airworthiness Issue 3........................ November 23, 2006.
Limitations, Document 95A.1933/05.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 25, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13117 Filed 7-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P