Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-237-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series

airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection to detect damage

to the electrical wiring of the fuel tank of the wings and to verify if

the proper P-clip is installed in the electrical wiring. The proposed

AD would also require re-fitting any proper P-clip, replacing any

improper P-clip with a new P-clip, and repairing damaged electrical

wiring. This proposal is prompted by a report that incorrect P-clips

were found installed in the electrical wiring of the fuel system on

these airplanes. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended

to ensure that the proper P-clips are installed. Improper P-clips could

fail to adequately safeguard the fuel tank of the wing against a

lightning strike, which could result in electrical arcing and resultant

fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

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

Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-237-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: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 18710]]

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

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

227-2589; fax (206) 227-1149.

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 95-NM-237-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. 95-NM-237-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

The Direction Gonorale 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 A320 series

airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received a report that

incorrect P-clips were found installed in the electrical wiring of the

fuel system on these airplanes. Investigation revealed that, during

production, skydrol-resistant ethylene propylene P-clips were installed

instead of fuel-resistant P-clips. Skydrol- resistant ethylene

propylene P-clips are not suitable for immersion in fuel. Such

immersion causes these clips to swell and lose flexibility. If the

skydrol-resistant ethylene propylene P-clips were to bend slightly,

they could fracture and deteriorate, which could fail to adequately

safeguard the fuel tank of the wing against a lightning strike. This

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

consequent fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-28-1052, Revision 1, dated

July 7, 1993, and Revision 2, dated September 8, 1994. The service

bulletins describe procedures for a one-time inspection to detect

damage to the electrical wiring and to verify if the proper P-clip is

installed in the electrical wiring at outboard rib 6 in the inner cell

of the fuel tank of the wings. The service bulletins also describe

procedures for re-fitting proper P-clips, and replacing improper P-

clips with a new fuel-resistant P-clip having P/N NSA5515-03NF or

NSA5516-03NV. The DGAC classified the service bulletins as mandatory

and issued French airworthiness directive 93-191-047(B), dated October

27, 1993, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

section 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.

Explanation of the Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

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

proposed AD would require a one-time inspection to detect damage to the

electrical wiring and to verify if the proper P-clip is installed in

the electrical wiring at outboard rib 6 in the inner cell of the fuel

tank of the wings. The proposed AD would also require re-fitting proper

P-clips, and replacing improper P-clips with certain new fuel-resistant

P-clips. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance

with the service bulletin described previously. If any damage is

detected to the electrical wiring, the repair would be required to be

done in accordance with the Airplane Wiring Manual.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 44 Airbus Model A320 series airplanes of

U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed

actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required

parts would cost approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $12,320, or $280 per airplane.

The 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.

Regulatory Impact

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

[[Page 18711]]

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 95-NM-237-AD.

Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, manufacturer's

serial numbers 129 through 343 inclusive, 345 through 347 inclusive,

and 349 through 363 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To ensure that the proper P-clips are installed, accomplish the

following:

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

a one-time inspection to detect damage to the electrical wiring and

to verify if the proper P-clip is installed in the electrical wiring

at outboard rib 6 in the inner cell of the fuel tank of the wings,

in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1052, Revision 2,

dated September 8, 1994.

Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions specified in this

paragraph in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1052,

Revision 1, dated July 7, 1993, prior to the effective date of this

AD is considered acceptable for compliance with this paragraph.

(1) If any damage is detected to the wiring, prior to further

flight, repair it in accordance with the Airplane Wiring Manual.

(2) If a P-clip having P/N NSA5515-03NF or NSA5516-03NV is

installed, prior to further flight, re-fit it in accordance with the

service bulletin.

(3) If a P-clip having P/N NSA5516-03NJ is installed, prior to

further flight, replace it with a new fuel-resistant P-clip having

P/N NSA5515-03NF or NSA5516-03NV, in accordance with the service

bulletin.

(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 3: 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

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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 1996.

S.R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 96-10504 Filed 4-26-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P