Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 5731 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–0172; Directorate 

Identifier 2007–NM–225–AD; Amendment 

39–15353; AD 2008–03–04] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A300 B4–600, A300 B4–600R, A300 C4–

600R, and A300 F4–600R Series 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD results 

from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: 

[T]he FAA has published SFAR 88 (Special 

Federal Aviation Regulation 88). * * * 

Under this regulation, all holders of type 

certificates for passenger transport aircraft 

* * * are required to conduct a design 

review against explosion risks. 

The replacement of some types of P-clips 

and improvement of the electrical bonding of 

the equipment in the fuel tanks are rendered 

mandatory by this AD. 

The unsafe condition is damage to 

wiring in the wing, center, and trim fuel 

tanks, due to failed P-clips used for 

retaining the wiring and pipes, which 

could result in a possible fuel ignition 

source in the wing, center, or trim fuel 

tanks. We are issuing this AD to require 

actions to correct the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

March 6, 2008. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of March 6, 2008. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom 

Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1622; fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

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 Federal 

Register on November 9, 2007 (72 FR 

63503). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

[T]he 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 3rd, 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 

(3402 kg) or more, which have received their 

certification since January 1st, 1958, are 

required to conduct a design review against 

explosion risks. 

The replacement of some types of P-clips 

and improvement of the electrical bonding of 

the equipment in the fuel tanks are rendered 

mandatory by this AD. 

Note: Initially, EASA AD 2006–0325, 

which addresses the same unsafe condition, 

also applied to A300–600 aircraft. The 

approval holder subsequently introduced 

additional work at revision 1 of SB (service 

bulletin) A300–28–6064 applicable to A300–

600 aircraft. [On September 21, 2007, the 

FAA issued parallel AD 2007–20–04 for only 

Airbus Model A300 Airplanes and Model 

A310 Airplanes, which was published in the 

Federal Register (72 FR 56258, October 3, 

2007).] 

As a result, AD 2006–0325 has been 

revised to remove A300–600 aircraft from 

applicability, and this new AD applicable to 

A300–600 aircraft is issued. 

The unsafe condition is damage to 

wiring in the wing, center, and trim fuel 

tanks, due to failed P-clips used for 

retaining the wiring and pipes, which 

could result in a possible fuel ignition 

source in the wing, center, or trim fuel 

tanks. The corrective action is checking 

the electrical bonding points of certain 

equipment in the center fuel tank for the 

presence of a blue coat and doing 

related investigative and corrective 

actions if necessary. The related 

investigative action is to measure the 

electrical resistance between the 

equipment and structure, if a blue coat 

is not present. The corrective action is 

to electrically bond the equipment, if 

the measured resistance is greater than 

10 milliohms. The corrective action also 

includes installing new bonding leads 

and electrical bonding points on certain 

equipment in the left and right wing 

fuel tanks and center fuel tank. You may 

obtain further information by examining 

the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM or 

on the determination of the cost to the 

public. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

MCAI or Service Information 

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 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 

highlighted in a NOTE within the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

about 114 products of U.S. registry. We 

also estimate that it will take about 632 

work-hours per product to comply with 

the basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 

Required parts will cost about $6,870 

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 

$6,547,020, or $57,430 per product. 

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, 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with RULES
5732 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

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 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 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); 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains the NPRM, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527 is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

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 AD: 

2008–03–04 Airbus: Amendment 39–

15353. Docket No. FAA–2007–0172; 

Directorate Identifier 2007–NM–225–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) 

becomes effective March 6, 2008. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to the airplanes 

identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of 

this AD. 

(1) Airbus Model A300 B4–600 series 

airplanes (without trim tank), all serial 

numbers, certificated in any category, except 

airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 

12226, 12365, 12490, and 12308 have been 

incorporated in production, or Airbus 

Service Bulletins A300–28–6064, Revision 

01, dated April 3, 2007; and A300–28–6068, 

dated July 20, 2005; have been performed in 

service. 

(2) Airbus Model A300 B4–600R, A300 C4–

600R, and A300 F4–600R series airplanes 

(fitted with a trim tank), all serial numbers, 

certificated in any category, except airplanes 

on which Airbus Modifications 12226, 

12365, 12490, 12308, 12294, and 12476 have 

been incorporated in production, or on 

which the service bulletins listed in 

paragraphs (c)(2)(i), (c)(2)(ii), and (c)(2)(iii) of 

this AD have been performed in service. 

(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–28–6064, 

Revision 01, dated April 3, 2007. 

(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–28–6068, 

dated July 20, 2005. 

(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–28–

6077, dated July 25, 2005; or A300–28–6077, 

Revision 01, dated October 26, 2006. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 28: Fuel. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) states: 

[T]he 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 3rd, 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 

(3402 kg) or more, which have received their 

certification since January 1st, 1958, are 

required to conduct a design review against 

explosion risks. 

The replacement of some types of P-clips 

and improvement of the electrical bonding of 

the equipment in the fuel tanks are rendered 

mandatory by this AD. 

Note: Initially, EASA AD 2006–0325, 

which addresses the same unsafe condition, 

also applied to A300–600 aircraft. The 

approval holder subsequently introduced 

additional work at revision 1 of SB (service 

bulletin) A300–28–6064 applicable to A300–

600 aircraft. [On September 21, 2007, the 

FAA issued parallel AD 2007–20–04 for only 

Airbus Model A300 Airplanes and Model 

A310 Airplanes, which was published in the 

Federal Register (72 FR 56258, October 3, 

2007).] 

As a result, AD 2006–0325 has been 

revised to remove A300–600 aircraft from 

applicability, and this new AD applicable to 

A300–600 aircraft is issued. 

The unsafe condition is damage to wiring in 

the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks, due to 

failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring 

and pipes, which could result in a possible 

fuel ignition source in the wing, center, or 

trim fuel tanks. The corrective action is 

checking the electrical bonding points of 

certain equipment in the center fuel tank for 

the presence of a blue coat and doing related 

investigative and corrective actions if 

necessary. The related investigative action is 

to measure the electrical resistance between 

the equipment and structure, if a blue coat 

is not present. The corrective action is to 

electrically bond the equipment, if the 

measured resistance is greater than 10 

milliohms. The corrective action also 

includes installing new bonding leads and 

electrical bonding points on certain 

equipment in the left and right wing fuel 

tanks and center fuel tank. 

Actions and Compliance 

(f) Within 40 months after the effective 

date of this AD, unless already done, do the 

following actions. 

(1) Remove NSA5516–XXND or NSA5516–

XXNJ type P-clips, used in the wing and 

center fuel tanks to retain wiring and pipes, 

and replace them by NSA5516–XXNF type Pclips in accordance with the instructions of 

Airbus Service Bulletin A300–28–6068, 

dated July 20, 2005. 

(2) Check the electrical bonding points in 

the center tank and do all applicable related 

investigative and corrective actions, and 

install additional bonding leads and 

electrical bonding points in the wing and 

center fuel tanks in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300–

28–6064, Revision 01, dated April 3, 2007. 

Do all applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions before further flight. 

(3) For airplanes fitted with a trim tank, in 

addition to the actions defined in paragraphs 

(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, install bonding 

leads and electrical bonding points in the 

trim tanks, in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300–

28–6077, Revision 01, dated October 26, 

2006. 

(4) Actions done before the effective date 

of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 21 / Thursday, January 31, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 5733 

Bulletin A300–28–6064, dated July 28, 2005, 

for aircraft under configuration 05, as defined 

in the service bulletin, are considered 

acceptable for compliance with the 

requirements of paragraph (f)(2) of this AD. 

(5) Actions done before the effective date 

of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service 

Bulletin A300–28–6077, dated July 25, 2005, 

for aircraft under configuration 05, as defined 

in the service bulletin, are considered 

acceptable for compliance with the 

requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/ 

or service information as follows: The 

applicability of the MCAI does not address 

Airbus Modification 12490. We have added 

this Modification number to the applicability 

of this AD, as requested by Airbus and 

coordinated with the European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA). 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(g) The following provisions also apply to 

this AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Send information to ATTN: Tom Stafford, 

Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, 

ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425) 

227–1622; fax (425) 227–1149. 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. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any 

reporting requirement in this AD, under the 

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

has approved the information collection 

requirements and has assigned OMB Control 

Number 2120–0056. 

Related Information 

(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2007–0233, dated August 27, 2007, 

and the service information listed in Table 1 

of this AD, for related information. 

TABLE 1.—SERVICE INFORMATION

Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date 

A300–28–6064 ................................................................. 01 ..................................................................................... April 3, 2007. 

A300–28–6068 ................................................................. Original ............................................................................ July 20, 2005. 

A300–28–6077 ................................................................. 01 ..................................................................................... October 26, 2006. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(i) You must use the service information 

specified in Table 2 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: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

TABLE 2.—MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Airbus Service Bulletin Revision level Date 

A300–28–6064 ................................................................. 01 ..................................................................................... April 3, 2007. 

A300–28–6068 ................................................................. Original ............................................................................ July 20, 2005. 

A300–28–6077 ................................................................. 01 ..................................................................................... October 26, 2006. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 

18, 2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–1462 Filed 1–30–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2008–0105; Directorate 

Identifier 2008–CE–001–AD; Amendment 

39–15355; AD 2008–03–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Stemme 

GmbH & Co. KG Model S10–VT 

Powered Sailplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD results 

from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

issued by the aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: 

A leakage in the area of a plastic Tconnector was found during a daily pre-flight 

check. The investigation has shown a crack 

in the centre part of this connector. 

This AD requires actions that are 

intended to address the unsafe 

condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

February 20, 2008. 

On February 20, 2008, the Director of 

the Federal Register approved the 

incorporation by reference of certain 

publications listed in this AD. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by March 3, 2008. 


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