Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an electrical arc and a hydraulic haze in the wheel bay of the left-hand main landing gear (MLG), possibly resulting from chafing between a hydraulic high pressure hose and electrical wiring of the green electrical motor pump (EMP). This proposed AD would require modification of the electrical routing and replacement of the union elbows. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of hydraulic pressure hoses and electrical wiring of the green EMPs, which, in combination with a system failure, could cause an uncontrolled and undetected fire in the MLG bay.
We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 20, 2014.
You may send comments by any of the following methods:
•
•
•
•
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2125; fax (425) 227–1149.
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013–0165, dated July 25, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
An A310 operator reported an electrical arc and a large hydraulic haze in the Left Hand (LH) Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel bay that occurred during ground operation.
The analysis of the occurrence revealed that this was likely caused by chafing between a hydraulic high pressure hose and electrical wiring of the Green Electrical Motor Pump (EMP).
This condition, * * * could result in an undetected and uncontrolled fire in the LH MLG wheel bay.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires modification of the electrical routing and installation of reinforced hydraulic pipes [by replacing the union elbows to re-route the delivery pipe at the upper EMP].
Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A310–29–2103, dated December 21, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 36 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $1,170 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be 54,360, or $1,510 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 proposed 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 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 this 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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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.
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
We must receive comments by March 20, 2014.
None.
This AD applies to Airbus Model A310–203, –204, –221, –222, –304, –322, –324, and –325 airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers on which Airbus modification number 04797 has been embodied in production and those on which Airbus Service Bulletin A310–29–2091 has been embodied in service.
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic Power.
This AD was prompted by a report of an electrical arc and a hydraulic haze in the wheel bay of the left-hand main landing gear (MLG) possibly resulting from chafing between a hydraulic high pressure hose and electrical wiring of the green electrical motor pump (EMP). We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of hydraulic pressure hoses and electrical wiring of the green EMPs, which, in combination with a system failure, could cause an uncontrolled and undetected fire in the MLG bay.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the electrical routing of the electrical motor pump (EMP) power supply in the hydraulic bay at frame 54 on the left-hand side and replace the union elbows to re-route the delivery pipe at the upper EMP, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310–29–2103, dated December 21, 2012.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2013–0165, dated July 25, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email