SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number “FAA-2005-22918; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-172-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of that Web ( printed page 68380) site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the 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 DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

The Direction Ge ne rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319-100 and A320-200 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, in several incidents, plastic identification labels have been found floating in the fuel tanks. There are two types of labels and the information on the labels identifies each rib number in the vent box and the manhole door fasteners in the wing fuel tank, for inspection purposes. Inspection of the airplanes revealed that the varnish coating and adhesive on the labels had deteriorated and the labels detached from the wing structure. Detached labels floating in the fuel tank could be ingested into the fuel pumps and consequently enter into the engine fuel feed system. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in an engine shutdown.

Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1102, Revision 01, dated February 11, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for repetitive detailed visual inspections of the four wing-tank fuel pumps and canisters for detached identification labels, and corrective action if necessary. The corrective action involves removing any label debris that is found, performing a detailed visual inspection for debris of the fuel filters and replacing the filters if necessary, and replacing the fuel pump if the inlet and outlet ports are blocked. The service bulletin also recommends sending an inspection report to Airbus.

Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A320-57-1117, dated July 16, 2002. The service bulletin describes procedures for repetitive detailed visual inspections for detached identification labels in the collector cells between ribs 1 and 2, the surge tank between ribs 22 and 26, and the wing fuel tank and vent box, and corrective action if necessary. The corrective action involves removing any label debris that is found, removing any partially detached labels, and re-identifying certain fasteners and ribs.

The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-121, dated July 20, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 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. We have examined the DGAC's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously. For any wing-tank fuel pump failure that occurs, this proposed AD would also require performing a detailed inspection of the failed pump, the pump located in the same half wing, and the associated canister, and accomplishing any applicable corrective action, including replacing the pump.

Difference Between the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive

The French airworthiness directive mandates changes to the master minimum equipment list (MMEL). This proposed AD will not mandate those MMEL changes because the limits imposed by the FAA-approved MMEL meet or exceed those mandated by the French airworthiness directive. We have coordinated this issue with the DGAC.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

In this proposed AD, the “detailed visual inspections” specified in the service bulletins are referred to as “detailed inspections.” We have included the definition for a detailed inspection in a note in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

This proposed AD would affect about 74 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The inspection specified in Service Bulletin A320-28-1102 would take about 3 work hours (including an operational test) per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this proposed inspection for U.S. operators is $14,430, or $195 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The inspection specified in Service Bulletin A320-57-1117 would take about 6 work hours (including an operational test) per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this proposed inspection for U.S. operators is $28,860, or $390 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the 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 ( printed page 68381)

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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: