Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 Series Airplanes; and Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603, and B4-601 Series Airplanes

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 and

A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of

the fuel tank jettison system. This proposal is prompted by a quality

survey which revealed that the electrical bonding of the fuel jettison

system has insufficient protection from a lightning strike. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent electrical arcing

and resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

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

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen 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:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed 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 above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

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

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

to Docket Number 94-NM-136-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 94-NM-136-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056

Discussion

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 Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103,

and B4-203 series airplanes, and Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603,

and B4-601 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the results of a

quality survey, conducted by Airbus Industrie, revealed that the

electrical bonding of the fuel jettison system has insufficient

protection from a lightning strike. Investigation revealed that the

existing lightning protection could fail to adequately safeguard the

fuel jettison pipe against a lightning strike at the fuel pipe exit.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing and

resultant fire in the event of a lightning strike.

Airbus has issued Alert Service Bulletin A300-28A065, Revision 1,

dated February 14, 1994 (for Model A300 series airplanes), and Alert

Service Bulletin A300-28A6033, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994 (for

Model A300-600 series airplanes), which describe procedures for

modification of the fuel tank jettison system. This modification

involves removing the bonding strap that bridges the flexible hose and

installing a new thicker bonding strap from the fuel jettison pipe to

the No. 5 flap track beam, which will improve the electrical bonding at

both ends. Accomplishment of this modification will improve the bonding

method at the interface of the fuel jettison pipe and the adjacent fuel

tank. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and

issued French Airworthiness Directive 93-074-144(B), dated May 12,

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 21.29) 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, the proposed AD would require modification of the

fuel tank jettison system. The actions would be required to be

accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described

previously.

The FAA estimates that 34 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 21 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be

supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on

these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $42,840, or $1,260 per airplane.

The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on

assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed

requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. -

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules

Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

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:

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Docket 94-NM-136-AD.

Applicability: Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 series

airplanes on which Airbus Modification 0013 has been installed; and

Model A300-600 B4-620, B4-622, B4-603, and B4-601 series airplanes

on which Airbus Modification 4607 has not been installed;

certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent electrical arcing and resultant fire in the event of

a lightning strike, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify

the fuel tank jettison system in accordance with Airbus Alert

Service Bulletin A300-28A065, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994

(for Model A300 series airplanes), or Airbus Alert Service Bulletin

A300-28A6033, Revision 1, dated February 14, 1994 (for Model A300-

600 series airplanes); as applicable.

(b) 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.

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

Secs. 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 1994.

S. R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-28244 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]

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