Document ID: FAA-2011-0264-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes
Posted Date: 2011-04-06T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18960-18964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8198]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0264; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-244-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R Series Airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes 
(Collectively Called A300-600 Series 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 the 
products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This 
proposed 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 aeroplanes * * * are required to conduct a 
design review against explosion risks. The replacement of some types 
of P-clips and

[[Page 18961]]

improvement of the electrical bonding of the equipment in the fuel 
tanks [were] are rendered mandatory * * *.
* * * * *
    Subsequently, an internal review * * * led * * * to * * * an 
additional check [for blue coat] of the bonding points in the centre 
tank. * * *
    More recently, another internal review [introduced] additional 
work [installing bonding points] for aeroplanes under Configuration 
03 * * * and additional work [bonding the fuel jettison system--
blanking plates] on the wing tanks for aeroplanes under 
Configuration 07 * * *.

    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 proposed AD would require actions 
that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the 
MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 23, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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 W12-40, 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 
Airbus SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 
93 44 51; e-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. 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; 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 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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-2011-0264; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-244-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

    On January 18, 2008, we issued AD 2008-03-04, Amendment 39-15353 
(73 FR 5731, January 31, 2008). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
    Since we issued AD 2008-03-04, internal reviews by the manufacturer 
have shown that additional work is necessary on the center and wing 
fuel tanks. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0074, dated April 16, 2010 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 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 04 March 2002, and 04/00/02/07/03-L024, dated 03 February 
2003, the JAA recommended the application of a similar regulation to 
the National Aviation Authorities (NAA).
    Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for 
passenger transport aeroplanes with either a passenger capacity of 
30 or more, or a payload capacity of 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) or more 
which have received their certification since 01 January 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 tasks are rendered 
mandatory by this AD.
    Initially, EASA AD 2006-0325, which addressed the same unsafe 
condition, also applied to A300-600 aeroplanes. Airbus subsequently 
introduced additional work at Revision 1 of SB A300-28-6064 [dated 
April 3, 2007] applicable to A300-600 aeroplanes. As a result, EASA 
AD 2006-0325 was revised to remove A300-600 aeroplanes from the 
applicability, and concurrently EASA AD 2007-0233 was issued, 
applicable to A300-600 aeroplanes. Unfortunately, the 
`Applicability' section of EASA AD 2007-0233 was not correctly 
defined, erroneously deleting one modification in the combination 
that would exclude aeroplanes from having to comply. Consequently, 
the AD 2007-0283 was issued, requiring the same actions as AD 2007-
0233, which was superseded, but expanded the group of aeroplanes to 
which AD 2007-0283 applied [FAA AD 2008-03-04 corresponds with EASA 
AD 2007-0283].
    Subsequently, an internal review of Airbus SB A300-28-6064 led 
the manufacturer to correct the figures of the SB. In particular, an 
additional check [for blue coat] of the bonding points in the centre 
tank was introduced in Revision 03 of Airbus SB A300-28-6064 [dated 
December 15, 2008], prompting EASA to issue AD 2009-0143.
    More recently, another internal review of Airbus SB A300-28-6064 
again resulted in corrected figures in the SB. Additional work on 
the center tank [installing bonding points] for aeroplanes under 
Configuration 03 (as defined in the SB [Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009]) and additional work 
[bonding the fuel jettison system--blanking plates] on the wing 
tanks for aeroplanes under Configuration 07 have been introduced in 
Revision 04 of Airbus SB A300-28-6064 [dated August 24, 2009].
    For the reason described above, this new AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2009-0143, which is superseded, and requires 
the additional work introduced in Revision 04 of Airbus SB A300-28-
6064 [dated August 24, 2009].

    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 required actions also include 
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

[[Page 18962]]

equipment, if the measured resistance is greater than 10 milliohms. You 
may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
    We have also revised paragraphs (f)(4) and (f)(5) of AD 2008-03-04 
(re-identified as paragraphs (g)(6) and (g)(7) in this NPRM) by 
replacing the term ``service bulletin'' with the full service bulletin 
citation.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A300-28-6064, 
Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008; and Revision 04, dated August 24, 
2009. The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

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 the same 
type design.

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 proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 125 products of U.S. registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2008-03-04 and retained in this 
proposed AD take about 632 work-hours per product, at an average labor 
rate of $85 per work hour. Required parts cost about $6,870 per 
product. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently 
required actions is $60,590 per product.
    We estimate that it would take about 9 work-hours per product to 
comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $100 
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 costs. 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 the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators to be $108,125, or $865 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, 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); 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-15353 (73 FR 
5731, January 31, 2008) and adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2011-0264; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-
244-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 23, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-03-04, Amendment 39-15353.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 
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 Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated 
August 24, 2009; and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated 
July 20, 2005; have been performed in service.
    (2) Airbus Model A300 B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, and F4-622R 
airplanes and A300 C4-605R Variant F 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 Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 03, 
dated December 15, 2008.
    (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.

[[Page 18963]]

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). * * *
    Under this regulation, all holders of type certificates for 
passenger transport aeroplanes * * * 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 [were] are rendered mandatory * * *.
* * * * *
    Subsequently, an internal review * * * led * * * to * * * an 
additional check [for blue coat] of the bonding points in the centre 
tank. * * *
    More recently, another internal review [introduced] additional 
work [installing bonding points] for aeroplanes under Configuration 
03 * * * and additional work [bonding the fuel jettison system--
blanking plates] on the wing tanks for aeroplanes under 
Configuration 07 * * *.
    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.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2008-03-04 With Revised Service 
Information

Actions and Compliance

    (g) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of 
this AD: Within 40 months after March 6, 2008 (the effective date of 
AD 2008-03-04), unless already done, do the applicable actions 
required by paragraphs (g)(3), (g)(4), and (g)(5) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes (without trim 
tank), all serial numbers, 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, 
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 (g)(2)(i), 
(g)(2)(ii), and (g)(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.
    (3) 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 P-clips in accordance with the 
instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068, dated July 20, 
2005.
    (4) 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; Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 02, 
dated March 10, 2008; Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008; or Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009. 
Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions 
before further flight. As of the effective date of this AD, only use 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated 
August 24, 2009.
    (5) For airplanes fitted with a trim tank, in addition to the 
actions defined in paragraphs (g)(3) and (g)(4) 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.
    (6) Actions done before March 6, 2008, in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, dated July 28, 2005, for aircraft 
under configuration 05, as defined Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, dated July 28, 2005, are considered acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this AD.
    (7) Actions done before March 6, 2008, in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6077, dated July 25, 2005, for aircraft 
under configuration 05, as defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
28-6077, dated July 25, 2005, are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g)(5) of this AD.

New Requirments of This AD

Additional Actions

    (h) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions required by paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) 
of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes that have been modified before the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, dated July 28, 2005; 
Revision 01, dated April 3, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 02, dated March 10, 2008: Do the 
additional work on the center tank specified in Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008, 
(i.e., a check for blue coat at additional bonding points and all 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions), in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008; 
or Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009. Do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions before further flight.
    (2) For configuration 03 airplanes, as defined in Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August 
24, 2009, that have been modified before the effective date of this 
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 01, dated April 3, 2007; or 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 02, dated 
March 10, 2008, or Revision 03, dated December 15, 2008: Do the 
additional work on the center tank (i.e., install bonding points), 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August 
24, 2009.
    (3) For configuration 07 airplanes, as defined in Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August 
24, 2009, that have been modified before the effective date of this 
AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-28-6064, dated July 28, 2005; Revision 01, 
dated April 3, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28-
6064, Revision 02, dated March 10, 2008, or Revision 03, dated 
December 15, 2008: Do the additional work on the wing tanks (i.e., 
bond the fuel jettison system--blanking plates), in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A300-28-6064, Revision 04, dated August 24, 2009.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149. 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. AMOCs approved previously in 
accordance with AD 2008-03-04 are approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (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.

[[Page 18964]]

Related Information

    (j) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0074, dated 
April 16, 2010, and the service information listed in Table 1 of 
this AD, for related information.

                                          Table 1--Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Airbus service information                Revision level                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28- 03..........................  December 15, 2008.
 6064.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-28- 04..........................  August 24, 2009.
 6064.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6068.....  Original....................  July 20, 2005.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-28-6077.....  01..........................  October 26, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8198 Filed 4-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P