Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A340-211 and - 311 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-106-AD; Amendment 39-8990; AD 94-16-01]

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A340-211 and -

311 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model A340-211 and -311 series

airplanes. This action requires modifying the bonding leads on the fuel

quantity indicating (FQI) probes or the temperature sensor, on the fuel

low pressure inlet pipe next to the compensator, and on the jet pump.

This amendment is prompted by results of a quality survey, which

revealed that there may be insufficient clearance between several

bonding leads and certain FQI system probes or the temperature sensor,

and between the bonding leads and the FQI probes and the compensator.

The actions specified in this AD are intended to eliminate such

insufficient clearance, which could lead to electrical arcing and a

resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.

DATES: Effective August 18, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of August 18, 1994.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before October 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-106-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from

Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,

France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite

700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)

227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile

(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently

notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus

Industrie Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes. The DGAC advises

that results of a quality survey conducted by Airbus Industrie have

revealed that there may be insufficient clearance between several

bonding leads and certain fuel quantity indicating (FQI) system probes

or the temperature sensor. Further, insufficient clearance also may

exist between the bonding leads and the FQI probes in the inner

collector cell and the compensator. Such insufficient clearance, if not

corrected, could result in electrical arcing and a resultant fire in

the event of a lightning strike.

Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletin A340-28-4008, dated

July 9, 1993, which describes procedures for modifying the bonding

leads on the FQI probes or the temperature sensor. This modification

involves installing shorter bonding leads and/or rerouting certain

bonding leads on the water drain pipe, the engine fuel feed pipe, the

fuel recirculation pipe, the vent pipe, and the surge tank drain pipe.

Accomplishment of this modification will maintain the correct clearance

between the bonding leads and the FQI probes or the temperature sensor.

The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued

French Airworthiness Directive 93-120-002(B), dated August 4, 1993, in

order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in

France.

Airbus Industrie also has issued Service Bulletin A340-28-4012,

dated November 8, 1993, which describes procedures for modifying the

bonding leads on the fuel low pressure inlet pipe (next to the

compensator) and on the jet pump. This action involves installing a

sleeve on the bonding lead on the fuel pipe at certain FQI probes in

the inner collector cell and installing shorter bonding leads on the

fuel pipe at the compensator. Accomplishment of this modification will

maintain the correct clearance between the bonding leads and the FQI

probes and compensator. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as

mandatory and issued French Airworthiness Directive 93-206-003(B),

dated December 8, 1993, in order to assure the continued airworthiness

of these airplanes in France.

This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this

bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed

of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of

the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD

action is necessary for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United States.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered

in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent electrical

arcing and a resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike. This AD

requires modifying the bonding leads on the FQI probes or the

temperature sensor, on the fuel low pressure inlet pipe next to the

compensator, and on the jet pump. The actions are required to be

accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described

previously.

There currently are no Model A340-211 or -311 series airplanes on

the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this

rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign

registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.

However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that

the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these

subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the

future.

Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would require approximately 63 work hours to

accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $55 per

work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no

cost to operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of

this AD would be $3,465 per airplane.

Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently

on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no

additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public

procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made

effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal

Register.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not

preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this

rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may

desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be

submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption

ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date

for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light

of the comments received. Factual information that supports the

commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating

the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional

rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be

available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the

Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that

summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this

AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 94-NM-106-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-16-01 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8990. Docket 94-NM-106-AD.

Applicability: Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes on which

Airbus Industrie Modifications 42337 and 42338 (reference Airbus

Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4012) have not been installed;

and on which Airbus Industrie Modification 42038 (reference Airbus

Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4008) has not been installed;

certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required within 100 landings after the effective

date of this AD, sunless accomplished previously.

To prevent electrical arcing and a resultant fire in the event

of a lightning strike, accomplish the following:

(a) Modify the bonding leads on the water drain pipe, engine

fuel feed pipe, fuel recalculation pipe, vent pipe, and surge tank

drain pipe in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin

A340-28-4008, dated July 9, 1993.

(b) Modify the bonding leads on the fuel low pressure inlet pipe

(next to the compensator) and on the jet pump in accordance with

Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4012, dated November 8,

1993.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The modifications shall be done in accordance with Airbus

Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4008, dated July 9, 1993, and

Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A340-28-4012, dated November 8,

1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director

of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR

part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be

inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 18, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 27, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-18769 Filed 8-2-94; 8:45 am]

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