Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/02/22/E7-2977/airworthiness-directives-airbus-model-a318-a319-a320-and-a321-airplanes
Timestamp: 2017-10-18 00:52:04
Document Index: 153540853

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5']

72 FR 7936
7936-7939 (4 pages)
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-190-AD
E7-2977
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E7-2977 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E7-2977
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number “FAA-2007-27268; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-190-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. The EASA advises that Airbus has issued new fuel airworthiness limitations (FALs) to address failure conditions for which an unacceptable probability of ignition risk could exist if specific tasks or practices or both are not performed in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. The new FALs are intended to satisfy the JAA's Interim Policy of Fuel Tank Safety and SFAR 88 requirements.
Airbus has issued A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS—Airworthiness Limitations Section, dated February 28, 2006, which is a repository for stand-alone documents that are approved independently from each other. The Airbus ALS comprises the following documents:
ALS Part 1—Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items.
ALS Part 2—Damage-Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items.
ALS Part 3—Certification Maintenance Requirements.
ALS Part 4—(Reserved).
ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations. Start Printed Page 7938
Airbus ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated February 28, 2006, refers to Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1931/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005 (approved by the EASA on March 14, 2006). Section 1, “Maintenance/Inspection Tasks,” of Document 95A.1931/05 describes certain FAL inspections, which are periodic inspections of certain features for latent failures that could contribute to an ignition source. Section 2, “Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations,” of Document 95A.1931/05 identifies critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). A CDCCL is a limitation requirement to preserve a critical ignition source prevention feature of the fuel tank system design that is necessary to prevent the occurrence of an unsafe condition. The purpose of a CDCCL is to provide instruction to retain the critical ignition source prevention feature during configuration change that may be caused by alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions. A CDCCL is not a periodic inspection.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated the service information and issued airworthiness directive 2006-0203, dated July 11, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the European Union.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.
This proposed AD would affect about 720 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 2 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $115,200, or $160 per airplane.
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-27268; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-190-AD.
This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections and critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with the operator maintenance documents is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections and CDCCLs, the operator may not be able to accomplish inspections and CDCCLs described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections and CDCCLs that will preserve the critical ignition source prevention feature of the affected fuel system.
(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Start Printed Page 7939
(f) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated February 28, 2006, as defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1931/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005 (approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on March 14, 2006), Section 1, “Maintenance/Inspection Tasks.” For all tasks identified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1931/05, the initial compliance times start from the effective date of this AD and must be accomplished within the repetitive interval specified in Section 1 of Document 95A.1931/05.
(g) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 5—Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, dated February 28, 2006, as defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Fuel Airworthiness Limitations, Document 95A.1931/05, Issue 1, dated December 19, 2005 (approved by the EASA on March 14, 2006), Section 2, “Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations.”
(h) Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD: After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used.
(j) EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0203, dated July 11, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.
[FR Doc. E7-2977 Filed 2-21-07; 8:45 am]