Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
Final rule.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as explosion risks. Chafing of the fuel pump cables could result in short circuits leading to fuel pump failure, intermittent operation, arcing, and possible fuel tank explosion. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
This AD becomes effective July 19, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 19, 2007.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1622; fax (425) 227–1149.
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce safety risks to the public. This process continues to allow all FAA AD issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure Act, and
This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language principles.
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the
The MCAI states that the FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation 88). In their letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01–L296, dated March 4th, 2002, and 04/00/02/07/03–L024, dated February 3, 2003, the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) recommended the application of a similar regulation to the National Aviation Authorities (NAA). Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for passenger transport aircraft with either a passenger capacity of 30 or more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds (3,402 kilograms) or more, which have received their certification since January 1, 1958, are required to conduct a design review against explosion risks.
The MCAI design review found that fuel pump cables can possibly become chafed in their metallic conduits. The chafing of the fuel pump cables can result in short circuits leading to fuel pump failure, intermittent operation, arcing, and possible fuel tank explosion. The MCAI, which requires modification of the fuel pump wiring against short circuits, is a consequence of this design review.
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comment received.
Airbus requests that we refer to the latest revision of Service Bulletin A310–24–2097. Airbus states that Service Bulletin A310–24–2097, Revision 02, dated May 24, 2007, has been released to operators. Airbus notes that the service bulletin does not introduce any additional work.
We have reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A310–24–2097, Revision 02, dated May 24, 2007 (we referred to Airbus Service Bulletins A310–24–2097, dated February 15, 2006; and Revision 01, dated October 11, 2006; as appropriate sources of service information for accomplishing the actions proposed in the NPRM). Revision 02 of the service bulletin does not add additional work. Revision 02 of the service bulletin updates the effectivity and introduces minor changes. Therefore, we have revised this AD to refer to Revision 02 of the service bulletin as an appropriate source of service information for doing the required actions.
We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies.
We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable in a U.S. court of law. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements, if any, take precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.
We estimate that this AD will affect 205 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 72 work-hours per product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $7,190 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $2,654,750, or $12,950 per product.
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.
We 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.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 19, 2007.
(b) None.
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A310 series airplanes; and Model A300–600 series airplanes; certificated in any category; all certified models, all serial numbers, except for aircraft which have received in production Airbus modification 13118 or Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A310–24–2097 or A300–24–6094.
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states that the FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special Federal Aviation Regulation 88). In their letters referenced 04/00/02/07/01–L296, dated March 4th, 2002, and 04/00/02/07/03–L024, dated February 3, 2003, the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) recommended the application of a similar regulation to the National Aviation Authorities (NAA). Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for passenger transport aircraft with either a passenger capacity of 30 or more, or a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds (3,402 kilograms) or more, which have received their certification since January 1, 1958, are required to conduct a design review against explosion risks. The MCAI design review found that fuel pump cables can possibly become chafed in their metallic conduits. The chafing of the fuel pump cables can result in short circuits leading to fuel pump failure, intermittent operation, arcing, and possible fuel tank explosion. The MCAI, which requires modification of the fuel pump wiring against short circuits, is a consequence of this design review.
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 37 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the inner and outer fuel pumps, route 1P and 2P harnesses in the LH (left-hand) wing and in the RH (right-hand) wing in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Service Bulletins A300–24–6094, dated February 15, 2006; A300–24–6094, Revision 01, dated July 18, 2006; A310–24–2097, dated February 15, 2006; A310–24–2097, Revision 01, dated October 11, 2006; or A310–24–2097, Revision 02, dated May 24, 2007; as applicable.
This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
(f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(g) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2006–0284 R1, dated February 13, 2007; and Airbus Service Bulletins A300–24–6094, dated February 15, 2006; A300–24–6094, Revision 01, dated July 18, 2006; A310–24–2097, dated February 15, 2006; A310–24–2097, Revision 01, dated October 11, 2006; and A310–24–2097, Revision 02, dated May 24, 2007; for related information.
(h) You must use the applicable service information specified in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
(3) 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: