31646 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0270; Product 

Identifier 2017–NM–133–AD; Amendment 

39–19324; AD 2018–14–04] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A330–200 Freighter, 

A330–200, A330–300, A340–200, A340– 

300, A340–500, and A340–600 series 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

determination that a functional test to 

ensure that there is no blockage of vent 

pipes was not done on the trim tank of 

certain airplanes during production. 

This AD requires doing a trim tank 

functional test, and corrective actions if 

necessary. We are issuing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective August 13, 

2018. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of August 13, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office— 

EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 

2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 

61 93 45 80; email airworthiness.A330- 

A340@airbus.com; internet http://

www.airbus.com. You may view this 

service information at the FAA, 

Transport Standards Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. 

It is also available on the internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0270. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0270; or in person at Docket Operations 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

The AD docket contains this final rule, 

the regulatory evaluation, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The address for Docket 

Operations (phone: 800–647–5527) is in 

the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 

be available in the AD docket shortly 

after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Section, Transport 

Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 

216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3229. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain Airbus Model A330– 

200 Freighter, A330–200, A330–300, 

A340–200, A340–300, A340–500, and 

A340–600 series airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

April 16, 2018 (83 FR 16245). The 

NPRM was prompted by a 

determination that a functional test to 

ensure that there is no blockage of vent 

pipes was not done on the trim tank of 

certain airplanes during production. 

The NPRM proposed to require doing a 

trim tank functional test, and corrective 

actions if necessary. 

We are issuing this AD to address 

blocked vent pipes, which, in 

combination with a high level sensor 

failure, could lead to overpressurization of the trim tank during 

refueling or aft fuel transfer. This 

condition could lead to trim tank 

rupture and consequent reduced control 

of the airplane. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2017–0152, dated August 17, 

2017 (referred to after this as the 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct 

an unsafe condition for certain Airbus 

Model A330–200 Freighter, A330–200, 

A330–300, A340–200, A340–300, A340– 

500, and A340–600 series airplanes. The 

MCAI states: 

It was discovered that the production 

functional test to verify the ‘‘Tank Pressures 

during Refuel Overflow’’ was not performed 

on the Trim Tank (TT) of A330 and A340 

aeroplanes up to MSN [manufacturer serial 

number] 1711. This test ensures that there is 

no blockage of the vent pipes. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead, 

in combination with a high level sensor 

failure, to an over-pressurisation of the TT 

during refueling or during aft fuel transfer, 

possibly resulting in a TT rupture and 

consequent reduced control of the aeroplane. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

Airbus published Service Bulletin (SB) 

A330–28–3130, SB A340–28–4140 and SB 

A340–28–5061, to provide functional test 

instructions. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires a one-time functional 

test of the TT overflow and, depending on 

findings, accomplishment of applicable 

corrective action(s). 

Corrective actions include a general 

visual inspection of the aperture leading 

to the flame arrestors (NACA duct), a 

detailed inspection of the flame arrestor, 

and blockage removal or repair of any 

discrepant NACA duct. 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket on the internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0270. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this final rule. 

We have considered the comment 

received. The Air Line Pilots 

Association, International (ALPA), 

indicated its support for the NPRM. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this 

final rule as proposed, except for minor 

editorial changes. We have determined 

that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM for 

addressing the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Airbus has issued the following 

service information: 

• Service Bulletin A330–28–3130, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

• Service Bulletin A340–28–4140, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

• Service Bulletin A340–28–5061, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

This service information describes 

procedures for doing a trim tank 

overflow functional test, a general visual 

inspection of the aperture leading to the 

flame arrestors (NACA duct), a detailed 

inspection of the flame arrestor, and 

blockage removal or repair of discrepant 

NACA ducts. These documents are 

distinct since they apply to different 

airplane models. This service 

information is reasonably available 

because the interested parties have 

access to it through their normal course 

of business or by the means identified 

in the ADDRESSES section. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 31647 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 97 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Functional test ................................................. 16 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,360 ........ $0 $1,360 $131,920 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary inspections that would be 

required based on the results of the 

functional test. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need these inspections: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Inspections .................................................................... 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ........................... $0 $170 

We have received no definitive data 

that would allow us to provide cost 

estimates for the blockage removal or 

repair of a discrepant NACA duct 

specified in this AD. 

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. 

This AD is issued in accordance with 

authority delegated by the Executive 

Director, Aircraft Certification Service, 

as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. 

In accordance with that order, issuance 

of ADs is normally a function of the 

Compliance and Airworthiness 

Division, but during this transition 

period, the Executive Director has 

delegated the authority to issue ADs 

applicable to transport category 

airplanes and associated appliances to 

the Director of the System Oversight 

Division. 

Regulatory Findings 

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 

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. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2018–14–04 Airbus: Amendment 39–19324; 

Docket No. FAA–2018–0270; Product 

Identifier 2017–NM–133–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective August 13, 2018. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the airplanes identified 

in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this AD, 

certificated in any category, manufacturer 

serial numbers 1 through 1711 inclusive. 

(1) Airbus Model A330–223F and –243F 

airplanes. 

(2) Airbus Model A330–201, –202, –203, 

–223, and –243 airplanes. 

(3) Airbus Model A330–301, –302, –303, 

–321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 

airplanes. 

(4) Airbus Model A340–211, –212, –213 

airplanes. 

(5) Airbus Model A340–311, –312, and 

–313 airplanes. 

(6) Airbus Model A340–541 airplanes. 

(7) Airbus Model A340–642 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 28, Fuel. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a determination 

that a functional test to ensure that there is 

no blockage of vent pipes was not done on 

the trim tank of certain airplanes during 

production. We are issuing this AD to 

address blocked vent pipes, which, in 

combination with a high level sensor failure, 

could lead to over-pressurization of the trim 

tank during refueling or aft fuel transfer. This 

condition could lead to trim tank rupture and 

consequent reduced control of the airplane. 


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
31648 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Functional Test 

Within 42 months after the effective date 

of this AD, do a trim tank overflow functional 

test in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the service information 

specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3), 

as applicable. 

(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330–28–3130, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28–4140, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28–5061, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

(h) Corrective Actions 

(1) If, during the functional test required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, the trim tank 

maximum allowable pressure is exceeded: 

Before further flight, contact the Manager, 

International Section, Transport Standards 

Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus’s EASA 

Design Organization Approval (DOA) to 

obtain instructions for corrective actions, and 

within the compliance time indicated in 

those instructions accomplish the corrective 

actions accordingly. 

(2) If, during the functional test required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, the trim surge tank 

maximum allowable pressure is exceeded: 

Before further flight, do a general visual 

inspection of the aperture leading to the 

flame arrestors (NACA duct) and do a 

detailed inspection of the flame arrestor in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330– 

28–3130, Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017; 

Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28–4140, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017; or Airbus 

Service Bulletin A340–28–5061, Revision 00, 

dated May 18, 2017; as applicable. 

(3) If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, any discrepancy 

(blockage or damage of the NACA duct) is 

found: Before further flight, accomplish the 

applicable corrective actions in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Airbus Service Bulletin A330–28–3130, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017; Airbus 

Service Bulletin A340–28–4140, Revision 00, 

dated May 18, 2017; or Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–28–5061, Revision 00, dated 

May 18, 2017; as applicable. 

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 

has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 

AD, if requested using the procedures found 

in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 

39.19, send your request to your principal 

inspector or local Flight Standards District 

Office, as appropriate. If sending information 

directly to the International Section, send it 

to the attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may 

be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOCREQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any 

approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector, or lacking a principal 

inspector, the manager of the local flight 

standards district office/certificate holding 

district office. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Section, 

Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; 

or Airbus’s EASA DOA. If approved by the 

DOA, the approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

(3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any 

service information contains procedures or 

tests that are identified as RC, those 

procedures and tests must be done to comply 

with this AD; any procedures or tests that are 

not identified as RC are recommended. Those 

procedures and tests that are not identified 

as RC may be deviated from using accepted 

methods in accordance with the operator’s 

maintenance or inspection program without 

obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided 

the procedures and tests identified as RC can 

be done and the airplane can be put back in 

an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or 

changes to procedures or tests identified as 

RC require approval of an AMOC. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 

2017–0152, dated August 17, 2017, for 

related information. This MCAI may be 

found in the AD docket on the internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0270. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace 

Engineer, International Section, Transport 

Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th 

St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and 

fax 206–231–3229. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330–28–3130, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28–4140, 

Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340–28– 

5061, Revision 00, dated May 18, 2017. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine 

No: 2, 31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 

93 45 80; email airworthiness.A330-A340@

airbus.com; internet http://www.airbus.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 

2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference 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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June 

26, 2018. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2018–14504 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2018–0274; Product 

Identifier 2017–NM–128–AD; Amendment 

39–19325; AD 2018–14–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, 

Inc., Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Bombardier, Inc., Model BD–100–1A10 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of fire incidents of the auxiliary 

power unit (APU) inlet, which caused 

tail cone damage after an initial failed 

APU start followed by two or more inflight APU start attempts. This AD 

requires modification of the APU 

electronic control unit (ECU) wiring 

harness. We are issuing this AD to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective August 13, 

2018. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of August 13, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Bombardier, Inc., 400 Coˆte-Vertu Road 

West, Dorval, Que ́bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; 

telephone 514–855–5000; fax 514–855– 

7401; email thd.crj@

aero.bombardier.com; internet http://

www.bombardier.com. You may view 

this service information at the FAA, 

Transport Standards Branch, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. 

It is also available on the internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov by searching 

for and locating Docket No. FAA–2018– 

0274. 


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