Document ID: FAA-2015-4204-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-10-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 205 (Friday, October 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64371-64373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26691]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4204; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-001-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series 
airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively 
called Model A300-600 series airplanes) modified by a particular 
supplemental type certificate (STC). This proposed AD was prompted by a 
report of chafing found on the overflow sensor harness of the surge 
tank, and subsequent contact between the electrical wiring and fuel 
tank structure. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection 
for damage of the outer tank of the overflow sensor harness, and repair 
if necessary. This proposed AD would also require modification of the 
sensor harness. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the 
harness and subsequent contact between the electrical wiring and fuel 
tank structure, which could result in electrical arcing and a fuel tank 
explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 7, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Simmonds Precision Products, Inc., A UTC Aerospace Company, 100 Panton 
Road,

[[Page 64372]]

Vergennes, Vermont 05491; phone 802-877-2911; fax 802-877-4444; 
Internet http://www.utcaerospacesystems.com. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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-2015-
4204; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Ronell, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7776; fax: 781-238-7170; 
email: marc.ronell@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    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 ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-4204; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-001-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0193, dated August 23, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model A300 
series airplanes and all Model A300-600 series airplanes.
    The MCAI corresponds to FAA AD 2015-03-03, Amendment 39-18099 (80 
FR 11101, March 2, 2015), which applies to Airbus Model A300 series 
airplanes and Model A300-600 series airplanes, all serial numbers, 
except for airplanes modified by supplemental type certificate 
ST00092BO (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/D41C5AE8E46B4901862574900069E004?OpenDocument&Highlight=st00092bo).
    In AD 2015-03-03, Amendment 39-18099 (80 FR 11101, March 2, 2015), 
we explained that airplanes that have had the in-tank fuel quantity 
system modified by STC ST00092BO cannot accomplish the actions required 
by AD 2015-03-03 by using Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6109, 
Revision 01, dated December 20, 2013.
    We also stated that we were considering separate rulemaking to 
require the procedures and compliance time specified in UTC Aerospace 
Systems Service Bulletin 300723-28-03 (V-1577), dated October 10, 2014, 
for airplanes modified by STC ST00092BO. We now have determined that 
further rulemaking is indeed necessary, and this proposed AD follows 
from that determination.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    UTC Aerospace Systems has issued Service Bulletin 300723-28-03 (V-
1577), Revision 01, dated July 20, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for an inspection for damage of the outer tank of 
the overflow sensor harness, repair, and modification of the sensor 
harness. 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 of this 
AD.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 65 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product 
to comply with the inspections required by this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $16,575, or $255 per product.
    We estimate that it takes about 11 work-hours per product to comply 
with the modification requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts cost about $100 per product. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this modification on U.S. 
operators to be $67,275, or $1,035 per product.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
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.

Regulatory Findings

    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

[[Page 64373]]

    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.

The Proposed Amendment

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

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2015-4204; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
001-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 7, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes specified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this AD; certificated in any 
category; modified by Simmonds Precision Products, Inc., 
supplemental type certificate (STC) ST00092BO (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/D41C5AE8E46B4901862v574900069E004?OpenDocument&Highlight=st00092bo).
    (1) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
    (2) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
    (3) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
    (4) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of chafing found on the 
overflow sensor harness of the surge tank, and subsequent contact 
between the electrical wiring and fuel tank structure. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the harness and subsequent 
contact between the electrical wiring and fuel tank structure, which 
could result in electrical arcing and a fuel tank explosion.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) One-Time Inspection and Repair

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the 
actions required by paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this 
AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of UTC 
Aerospace Systems Service Bulletin 300723-28-03 (V-1577), Revision 
01, dated July 20, 2015.
    (1) Perform a one-time general visual inspection for damage of 
the outer tank sensor harness, and if any damage is found on the 
expando sleeving, before further flight, do a detailed inspection of 
the underlying wires for exposed conductor wires. If any exposed 
conductor wire is found, before further flight, replace the outer 
wing harness assembly.
    (2) Install new brackets and re-route the surge tank overflow 
sensor harness.
    (3) Modify the harness protection.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using UTC Aerospace Systems Service Bulletin 300723-
28-03 (V-1577), dated October 10, 2014. This service information is 
not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) ANE-
150, 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 manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
    (2) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Marc Ronell, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO, FAA, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7776; fax: 781-238-7170; email: 
marc.ronell@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Simmonds Precision Products, Inc., A UTC Aerospace Company, 100 
Panton Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491; phone 802-877-2911; fax 802-
877-4444; Internet http://www.utcaerospacesystems.com. You may view 
this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 15, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-26691 Filed 10-22-15; 8:45 am]
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