Document ID: FAA-2016-3988-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-03-01T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10549-10551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04296]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3988; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-130-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series 
airplanes; and all Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing of the 
feeder cable at the pylon-wing junction due to vibration; one report 
revealed that the cable loom plastic support bracket of the G-route was 
broken due to vibration; and another report revealed wire chafing due 
to clamp damage. This proposed AD would require modifying the cable 
loom support bracket of the G-route of the inboard pylons at the pylon-
wing junction. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the 
wiring in the pylon-wing area, which could result in an electrical 
short circuit near a flammable fluid vapor zone, and consequent fire or 
fuel tank explosion.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 15, 2016.

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 NPRM, contact Airbus 
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
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 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-2016-
3988; 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; 
fax 425-227-1149.

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-2016-3988; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-130-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, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0142, dated July 17, 2015 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A330-200, -200 Freighter, and

[[Page 10550]]

-300 series airplanes; and all Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -
600 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Two events have been reported of feeder cable chafing at the 
pylon-wing junction on A330 aeroplanes. Inspection of the affected 
area for the first event revealed that the bracket supporting the 
cables G-route, made in plastic, was broken. The second event was 
due to clamp damage. Failure of support bracket and/or damage of 
clamp led to the feeder cables gradually chafing away at the cut-out 
edge by vibration. Due to design similarity, A340 aeroplanes are 
also affected by this issue.
    This condition, if not corrected, could create a short circuit, 
in combination with fuel vapour on [the] ground, possibly resulting 
in a fire or explosion.
    To address this unsafe condition, Airbus developed modifications 
to be embodied in service through Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) A330-
92-3132, SB A340-92-4100 or SB A340-92-5066, as applicable to 
aeroplane type and model.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
embodiment of these modifications [of the cable loom support bracket 
of the G-route of the inboard pylons ] at the pylon/wing junction in 
[left-hand] LH and [right-hand] RH wings.

    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-2016-
3988.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued the following service information:
     Service Bulletin A330-92-3132, Revision 01, dated May 21, 
2015.
     Service Bulletin A340-92-4100, Revision 01, dated May 21, 
2015.
     Service Bulletin A340-92-5066, dated June 25, 2014.
    The service information describes procedures for modifying the 
cable loom support bracket of the G-route of the inboard pylons at the 
pylon-wing junction. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    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 these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 90 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 8 work-hours per product 
to comply with the modification requirements of this proposed AD. 
Required parts would cost about $900 per product. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
for the inspection specified in this proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $142,200, or $1,580 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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
    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-2016-3988; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
130-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 15, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, all 
manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, 
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; 
except airplanes on which Airbus Modification 203672 has been 
embodied in production.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, -541, 
and -642 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of chafing of the feeder cable 
at the pylon-wing junction due to vibration; one report revealed 
that the cable loom plastic support bracket of the G-route was 
broken due to vibration; and another report revealed wire chafing 
due to clamp damage. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of 
the wiring in the pylon-wing area, which could result in an 
electrical short circuit near a flammable fluid vapor zone, and 
consequent fire or fuel tank explosion.

[[Page 10551]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification of the Feeder Cable

    Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the 
cable loom support bracket of the G-route 7701VB in the left-hand 
side of the inboard pylon, and the G-route 7702VB in the right-hand 
side of the inboard pylon, located at the pylon-wing junction, in 
accordance with the applicable service information specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-3132, Revision 01, dated May 
21, 2015.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4100, Revision 01, dated May 
21, 2015.
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-5066, dated June 25, 2014.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the modification required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if the modification was performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Airbus Service Bulletin A330-92-
3132, dated June 19, 2014; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-92-4100, 
dated June 19, 2014; as applicable.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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. 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 Branch, send it to ATTN: Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; fax 425-227-1149. Information 
may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@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. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (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 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized 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 Airworthiness Directive 2015-0142, dated July 17, 2015, 
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-2016-3988.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 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 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 February 19, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04296 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P