[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57784-57786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22542]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0463; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-165-AD;
Amendment 39-17584; AD 2013-19-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes. This
AD was prompted by a report that a certain wire harness located in the
tail cone has wiring of a narrower gauge than design requires. This AD
requires replacing the affected wire harness. We are issuing this AD to
prevent damage to the affected wiring, which could create an ignition
source in an area that might contain fuel vapors, possibly resulting in
an uncontrolled fire and subsequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 25, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 25,
2013.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS--
Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80;
email [email protected]; 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, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 227-1138;
fax: (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2013 (78 FR
37498). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0182, dated September 11, 2012 (referred
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
On a production aeroplane, it has been discovered that wires in
harness 5877VB, installed in the Tail Cone (Section 19.1) and
connected to the Auxiliary Power Unit starter, have a section
smaller [narrower] than required by design. Section 19 is a
flammable fluid leakage zone, adjacent to a fuel tank (trim tank)
and is open with Section
[[Page 57785]]
19.1. The results of the investigation show that this issue is a
manufacturing quality issue. Airbus identified a list of other
aeroplanes that are affected.
This condition, if not corrected, could damage the wiring which
may create an ignition source in an area that may contain fuel
vapours, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire and subsequent
loss of the aeroplane.
* * * * *
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the
replacement of the affected wiring harness.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 37498, June 21,
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (78 FR 37498, June 21, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 37498, June 21, 2013).
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects
about 1 product of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take
about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of
this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts
will cost about $2,920 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 parts. 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 this AD on U.S. operators to be $3,260, or $3,260 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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 AD, the MCAI, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2013-19-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-17584. Docket No. FAA-2013-0463;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-165-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 25,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
223F, -243 -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342,
and -343 airplanes; certificated in any category; manufacturer
serial numbers 1070, 1127, 1133, 1135, 1137, 1138, 1141, 1143, 1145,
1146, 1147, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1153, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1159, 1160,
1161, 1165, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1177, 1178,
1181, 1183, 1184, 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1191, 1195, 1196, and
1202.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that a certain wire harness
located in the tail cone has wiring of a narrower gauge than design
requires. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the affected
wiring, which could create an ignition source in an area that might
contain fuel vapors, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire and
subsequent loss of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Actions
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace
wiring harness 5877VB located in section 19.1, Frame 91 to Frame 96,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-92-3116, dated April 25, 2012.
(h) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
[[Page 57786]]
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN:
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; phone: (425) 227-1138; fax: (425) 227-1149.
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
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.
(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.
(i) Related Information
Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information European
Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012-0182, dated
September 11, 2012, for related information, which can be found in
the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-92-3116, dated April
25, 2012
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96;
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected];
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington on September 9, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22542 Filed 9-19-13; 8:45 am]
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