Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes, 41098-41101 [2014-15800]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 135 / Tuesday, July 15, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
75052; telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800)
232–0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at https://
www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,
Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
(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: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas,
on June 25, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–15527 Filed 7–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0973; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NM–139–AD; Amendment
39–17893; AD 2014–13–17]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A300 series airplanes;
Airbus Model A300 B4–600, B4–600R,
and F4–600R series airplanes, and
Model A300 C4–605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called Model
A300–600 series airplanes); and Model
A310 series airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports of failures of the
right inner tank fuel pump. This AD
requires repetitive functional tests of the
circuit breakers for the fuel pump power
supply, and replacement of certain
circuit breakers. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct failure of the
circuit breakers for the fuel pump power
supply, which could result in a fuel
pump overheating, leading to a fuel tank
explosion.
DATES: This AD becomes effective
August 19, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of August 19, 2014.
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SUMMARY:
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You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0973; or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility, 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—EAW, 1 Rond
Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36
96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email
account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
Internet https://www.airbus.com. You
may view this 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: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057–3356; telephone 425–227–2125;
fax 425–227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to all Airbus Model A300 series
airplanes; Airbus Model A300 B4–600,
B4–600R, and F4–600R series airplanes,
and Model A300 C4–605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called Model
A300–600 series airplanes); and Model
A310 series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
November 22, 2013 (78 FR 70003).
The European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013–0163,
dated July 24, 2013 (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:
Two successive failures have been reported
of a Right Hand #1 inner tank fuel pump, Part
Number 2052Cxx series (with placeholder
‘‘xx’’ indicating numerals). The fix consisted
in the replacement of the pump, the
associated circuit breaker and the AC
[alternating current] bus load relay.
Investigations determined that, in case of
loss of one phase on the pump supply and
the associated circuit breaker failing to trip,
the fuel pump thermal fuses may not operate
as quickly as expected.
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This condition, if not detected and
corrected, would result in an overheat
condition of the fuel pump in excess of
200 °C and could lead to a fuel tank
explosion.
To address this potential unsafe condition,
Airbus issued Alert Operator Transmission
(AOT) A28W002–13 providing instructions
for a functional test of circuit breakers and
corrective action.
For the reasons described above, as a
temporary measure until further notice, this
[EASA] AD mandates functional tests of the
affected fuel pump power supply circuit
breakers, and, depending on findings,
replacement of circuit breakers.
This [EASA] AD will be followed by
further [EASA] AD action.
You may examine the MCAI in the
AD docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-09730002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. We
received no comments on the NPRM (78
FR 70003, November 22, 2013) or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
‘‘Contacting the Manufacturer’’
Paragraph in This AD
Since late 2006, we have included a
standard paragraph titled ‘‘Airworthy
Product’’ in all MCAI ADs in which the
FAA develops an AD based on a foreign
authority’s AD.
The MCAI or referenced service
information in an FAA AD often directs
the owner/operator to contact the
manufacturer for corrective actions,
such as a repair. Briefly, the Airworthy
Product paragraph allowed owners/
operators to use corrective actions
provided by the manufacturer if those
actions were FAA-approved. In
addition, the paragraph stated that any
actions approved by the State of Design
Authority (or its delegated agent) are
considered to be FAA-approved.
In the NPRM (78 FR 70003, November
22, 2013), we proposed to prevent the
use of repairs that were not specifically
developed to correct the unsafe
condition, by requiring that the repair
approval provided by the State of
Design Authority or its delegated agent
specifically refer to this FAA AD. This
change was intended to clarify the
method of compliance and to provide
operators with better visibility of repairs
that are specifically developed and
approved to correct the unsafe
condition. In addition, we proposed to
change the phrase ‘‘its delegated agent’’
to include a design approval holder
(DAH) with State of Design Authority
design organization approval (DOA), as
applicable, to refer to a DAH authorized
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 135 / Tuesday, July 15, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
to approve required repairs for the
proposed AD.
No comments were provided to the
NPRM (78 FR 70003, November 22,
2013) about these proposed changes.
However, a comment was provided for
another NPRM, Directorate Identifier
2012–NM–101–AD (78 FR 78285,
December 26, 2013). The commenter
stated the following: ‘‘The proposed
wording, being specific to repairs,
eliminates the interpretation that Airbus
messages are acceptable for approving
minor deviations (corrective actions)
needed during accomplishment of an
AD mandated Airbus service bulletin.’’
This comment has made the FAA
aware that some operators have
misunderstood or misinterpreted the
Airworthy Product paragraph to allow
the owner/operator to use messages
provided by the manufacturer as
approval of deviations during the
accomplishment of an AD-mandated
action. The Airworthy Product
paragraph does not approve messages or
other information provided by the
manufacturer for deviations to the
requirements of the AD-mandated
actions. The Airworthy Product
paragraph only addresses the
requirement to contact the manufacturer
for corrective actions for the identified
unsafe condition and does not cover
deviations from other AD requirements.
However, deviations to AD-required
actions are addressed in 14 CFR 39.17,
and anyone may request the approval
for an alternative method of compliance
to the AD-required actions using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
To address this misunderstanding and
misinterpretation of the Airworthy
Product paragraph, we have changed
that paragraph and retitled it
‘‘Contacting the Manufacturer.’’ This
paragraph now clarifies that for any
requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer,
the action must be accomplished using
a method approved by the FAA, the
European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), or Airbus’s EASA DOA. Where
necessary throughout this AD, we also
replaced any reference to approvals of
corrective actions with a reference to the
Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph.
The Contacting the Manufacturer
paragraph also clarifies that, if approved
by the DOA, the approval must include
the DOA-authorized signature. The DOA
signature indicates that the data and
information contained in the document
are EASA-approved, which is also FAAapproved. Messages and other
information provided by the
manufacturer that do not contain the
DOA-authorized signature approval are
not EASA-approved, unless EASA
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directly approves the manufacturer’s
message or other information.
This clarification does not remove
flexibility previously afforded by the
Airworthy Product paragraph.
Consistent with long-standing FAA
policy, such flexibility was never
intended for required actions. This is
also consistent with the
recommendation of the Airworthiness
Directive Implementation Aviation
Rulemaking Committee to increase
flexibility in complying with ADs by
identifying those actions in
manufacturers’ service instructions that
are ‘‘Required for Compliance’’ with
ADs. We continue to work with
manufacturers to implement this
recommendation. But once we
determine that an action is required, any
deviation from the requirement must be
approved as an alternative method of
compliance.
Other commenters to the NPRM
discussed previously, Directorate
Identifier 2012–NM–101–AD (78 FR
78285, December 26, 2013), pointed out
that in many cases the foreign
manufacturer’s service bulletin and the
foreign authority’s MCAI might have
been issued some time before the FAA
AD. Therefore, the DOA might have
provided U.S. operators with an
approved repair, developed with full
awareness of the unsafe condition,
before the FAA AD is issued. Under
these circumstances, to comply with the
FAA AD, the operator would be
required to go back to the
manufacturer’s DOA and obtain a new
approval document, adding time and
expense to the compliance process with
no safety benefit.
Based on these comments, we
removed the requirement that the DAHprovided repair specifically refer to this
AD. Before adopting such a
requirement, the FAA will coordinate
with affected DAHs and verify they are
prepared to implement means to ensure
that their repair approvals consider the
unsafe condition addressed in this AD.
Any such requirements will be adopted
through the normal AD rulemaking
process, including notice-and-comment
procedures, when appropriate. We also
have decided not to include a generic
reference to either the ‘‘delegated agent’’
or ‘‘DAH with State of Design Authority
design organization approval,’’ but
instead we have provided the specific
delegation approval granted by the State
of Design Authority for the DAH in the
Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph
of this AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and
determined that air safety and the
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41099
public interest require adopting this AD
with the changes described previously
and minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
• Are consistent with the intent that
was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR
70003, November 22, 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 70003,
November 22, 2013).
We also determined that these
changes will not increase the economic
burden on any operator or increase the
scope of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 156
airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take
about 1 work-hour 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 $0 per product. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of this AD
on U.S. operators to be $85 per test, or
$13,260 per test for U.S.-registered
airplanes.
We have received no definitive data
that would enable us to provide cost
estimates for the on-condition actions
specified in this AD.
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 135 / Tuesday, July 15, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0973; or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this
AD, 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
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
■
2014–13–17 Airbus: Amendment 39–17893.
Docket No. FAA–2013–0973; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NM–139–AD.
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(a) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 19,
2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes
specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3),
(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) of this AD; certificated
in any category; all serial numbers.
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(1) Model A300 B2–1A, B2–1C, B2K–3C,
B2–203, B4–2C, B4–103, and B4–203
airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4–601, B4–603, B4–620,
and B4–622 airplanes.
(3) Model A300 B4–605R and B4–622R
airplanes.
(4) Model A300 F4–605R and F4–622R
airplanes.
(5) Model A300 C4–605R Variant F
airplanes.
(6) Model A310–203, –204, –221, –222,
–304, –322, –324, and –325 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of
failures of the right inner tank fuel pump. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct
failure of the circuit breakers for the fuel
pump power supply, which could result in
a fuel pump overheating, leading to a fuel
tank explosion.
(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) Repetitive Functional Tests of Circuit
Breakers
(1) Within 6 months or 500 flight hours
after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first: Do a functional test of the circuit
breakers for the fuel pump power supply, as
identified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii),
and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD, as applicable, in
accordance with Airbus Alert Operators
Transmission A28W002–13, dated July 23,
2013. Repeat the functional test thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 6 months or 500 flight
hours, whichever occurs first.
(i) For Airbus Model A300 B2–1A, B2–1C,
B2K–3C, and B2–203 airplanes: Inner and
outer pump, No. 1 and No. 2 left-hand (LH)
side and right-hand (RH) side.
(ii) For Airbus Model A300 B4–2C, B4–
103, B4–203, B4–601, B4–603, B4–620, and
B4–622 airplanes; and A310–203, –204, –221,
and –222 airplanes:
(A) Inner and outer pump, No. 1 and No.
2, LH and RH; and
(B) Center pump, LH and RH.
(iii) For Airbus Model A300 B4–605R, B4–
622R, F4–605R, F4–622R, and C4–605R
Variant F airplanes; and Model A310–304,
–322, –324, and –325 airplanes:
(A) Inner and outer pump, No. 1 and No.
2, LH and RH;
(B) Center pump, LH and RH; and
(C) Trim tank pump No. 1 and No. 2.
(2) If, during any functional test required
by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, any circuit
breaker fails any functional test, or any
circuit breaker is found to be stuck closed,
before further flight, replace the affected
circuit breaker with a serviceable part, in
accordance with Airbus Alert Operators
Transmission A28W002–13, dated July 23,
2013.
(3) The replacement of one or more circuit
breakers as required by paragraph (g)(2) of
this AD does not terminate the repetitive
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functional tests required by paragraph (g)(1)
of this AD.
(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
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the International Branch, send it to ATTN:
Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356;
telephone 425–227–2125; fax 425–227–1149.
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain corrective
actions from a manufacturer, the action must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM–
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or
the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA); or Airbus’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(i) Related Information
Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European
Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness
Directive 2013–0163, dated July 24, 2013, for
related information. This MCAI may be
found in the AD docket on the Internet at
https://www.regulations.gov/#!document
Detail;D=FAA-2013-0973-0002.
(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 Alert Operators Transmission
A28W002–13, dated July 23, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness
Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France;
telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61
93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@
airbus.com; Internet https://www.airbus.com.
You may view this 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.
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(4) You may view this 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: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 25,
2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–15800 Filed 7–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0867; Directorate
Identifier 2013–NM–115–AD; Amendment
39–17853; AD 2014–11–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
The Boeing Company Model 777–200,
–200LR, –300, and –300ER series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by
reports of severe corrosion on bonding
jumpers installed on the flight control
surfaces. This AD requires repetitive
bonding jumper inspections for
corrosion, sealant disbond, and
insufficient sealant coverage; and
corrective actions if necessary. This AD
also specifies an optional inspection for
corrosion damage of the bonding
brackets, and corrective actions if
necessary, which would terminate the
repetitive inspections. For certain
airplanes, this AD requires installing
certain bonding jumpers, and replacing
single-tabbed brackets with two-tabbed
brackets. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct corrosion on bonding
jumpers installed on the flight control
surfaces, which, in the event of a
lightning strike, could damage the
actuator control electronics (ACEs) and
result in the loss of the ability to
command individual flight control
surfaces or cause uncommanded motion
of individual flight control surfaces.
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SUMMARY:
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This AD is effective August 19,
2014.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in this AD
as of August 19, 2014.
ADDRESSES: For service information
identified in this AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data
& Services Management, P.O. Box 3707,
MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207;
telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1;
fax 206–766–5680; Internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view
this 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.
DATES:
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2013–
0867; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is
Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM–
130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–
917–6482; fax: 425–917–6590; email:
Georgios.Roussos@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to certain The Boeing Company
Model 777–200, –200LR, –300, and
–300ER series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
October 25, 2013 (78 FR 63903). The
NPRM was prompted by reports of
severe corrosion on bonding jumpers
installed on the flight control surfaces.
The NPRM proposed to require
repetitive bonding jumper inspections
for corrosion, sealant disbond, and
insufficient sealant coverage; and
corrective actions if necessary. The
NPRM also specified an optional
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41101
inspection for corrosion damage of the
bonding brackets, and corrective actions
if necessary, which would terminate the
repetitive inspections. For certain
airplanes, the NPRM proposed installing
certain bonding jumpers, and replacing
single-tabbed brackets with two-tabbed
brackets. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct corrosion on bonding
jumpers installed on the flight control
surfaces, which, in the event of a
lightning strike, could damage the ACEs
and result in the loss of the ability to
command individual flight control
surfaces or cause uncommanded motion
of individual flight control surfaces.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comments
received on the proposal (78 FR 63903,
October 25, 2013) and the FAA’s
response to each comment.
Request To Base Compliance Time on
AD Issue Date
American Airlines (AAL) requested
that paragraph (f) of the proposed AD
(78 FR 63903, October 25, 2013) be
revised to allow operators to comply
with Boeing Service Bulletin 777–
27A0078, Revision 1, dated April 1,
2013, within 36 months after the AD
effective date. AAL stated that Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 777–27A0078,
dated September 10, 2009, was issued
with a compliance time of 36 months
from the original release of the service
bulletin. AAL explained that after
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–
27A0078, dated September 10, 2009,
was released, Boeing accomplished a
service bulletin validation on another
operator’s airplane and found many
discrepancies and errors with the work
instructions and parts required,
resulting in Revision 1 of Boeing Service
Bulletin 777–27A0078, dated April 1,
2013. AAL stated that due to the issues
still existing in the work instructions for
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–
27A0078, dated September 10, 2009,
and a long lead time on the part kits,
operators will be unable to accomplish
Boeing Service Bulletin 777–27A0078,
Revision 1, dated April 1, 2013, by the
compliance time given without severe
disruption of schedules.
We agree with the commenter’s
request. We agree that the compliance
time should be based on the effective
date of this final rule and not on the
original issue date of Boeing Service
Bulletin 777–27A0078, Revision 1,
dated April 1, 2013. We had already
included this information in the
proposed AD (78 FR 63903, October 25,
2013), paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, as
E:\FR\FM\15JYR1.SGM
15JYR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41098-41101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15800]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0973; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-139-AD;
Amendment 39-17893; AD 2014-13-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R,
and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F
airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and
Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of
failures of the right inner tank fuel pump. This AD requires repetitive
functional tests of the circuit breakers for the fuel pump power
supply, and replacement of certain circuit breakers. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct failure of the circuit breakers for the
fuel pump power supply, which could result in a fuel pump overheating,
leading to a fuel tank explosion.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 19, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 19,
2014.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0973; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility, 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--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51;
email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet https://www.airbus.com.
You may view this 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2125;
fax 425-227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Airbus Model A300
series airplanes; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series
airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively
called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 22,
2013 (78 FR 70003).
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0163, dated July 24, 2013 (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:
Two successive failures have been reported of a Right Hand
1 inner tank fuel pump, Part Number 2052Cxx series (with
placeholder ``xx'' indicating numerals). The fix consisted in the
replacement of the pump, the associated circuit breaker and the AC
[alternating current] bus load relay.
Investigations determined that, in case of loss of one phase on
the pump supply and the associated circuit breaker failing to trip,
the fuel pump thermal fuses may not operate as quickly as expected.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, would result in
an overheat condition of the fuel pump in excess of 200 [deg]C and
could lead to a fuel tank explosion.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued Alert
Operator Transmission (AOT) A28W002-13 providing instructions for a
functional test of circuit breakers and corrective action.
For the reasons described above, as a temporary measure until
further notice, this [EASA] AD mandates functional tests of the
affected fuel pump power supply circuit breakers, and, depending on
findings, replacement of circuit breakers.
This [EASA] AD will be followed by further [EASA] AD action.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0973-0002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 70003, November 22,
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
``Contacting the Manufacturer'' Paragraph in This AD
Since late 2006, we have included a standard paragraph titled
``Airworthy Product'' in all MCAI ADs in which the FAA develops an AD
based on a foreign authority's AD.
The MCAI or referenced service information in an FAA AD often
directs the owner/operator to contact the manufacturer for corrective
actions, such as a repair. Briefly, the Airworthy Product paragraph
allowed owners/operators to use corrective actions provided by the
manufacturer if those actions were FAA-approved. In addition, the
paragraph stated that any actions approved by the State of Design
Authority (or its delegated agent) are considered to be FAA-approved.
In the NPRM (78 FR 70003, November 22, 2013), we proposed to
prevent the use of repairs that were not specifically developed to
correct the unsafe condition, by requiring that the repair approval
provided by the State of Design Authority or its delegated agent
specifically refer to this FAA AD. This change was intended to clarify
the method of compliance and to provide operators with better
visibility of repairs that are specifically developed and approved to
correct the unsafe condition. In addition, we proposed to change the
phrase ``its delegated agent'' to include a design approval holder
(DAH) with State of Design Authority design organization approval
(DOA), as applicable, to refer to a DAH authorized
[[Page 41099]]
to approve required repairs for the proposed AD.
No comments were provided to the NPRM (78 FR 70003, November 22,
2013) about these proposed changes. However, a comment was provided for
another NPRM, Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-101-AD (78 FR 78285,
December 26, 2013). The commenter stated the following: ``The proposed
wording, being specific to repairs, eliminates the interpretation that
Airbus messages are acceptable for approving minor deviations
(corrective actions) needed during accomplishment of an AD mandated
Airbus service bulletin.''
This comment has made the FAA aware that some operators have
misunderstood or misinterpreted the Airworthy Product paragraph to
allow the owner/operator to use messages provided by the manufacturer
as approval of deviations during the accomplishment of an AD-mandated
action. The Airworthy Product paragraph does not approve messages or
other information provided by the manufacturer for deviations to the
requirements of the AD-mandated actions. The Airworthy Product
paragraph only addresses the requirement to contact the manufacturer
for corrective actions for the identified unsafe condition and does not
cover deviations from other AD requirements. However, deviations to AD-
required actions are addressed in 14 CFR 39.17, and anyone may request
the approval for an alternative method of compliance to the AD-required
actions using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
To address this misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the
Airworthy Product paragraph, we have changed that paragraph and
retitled it ``Contacting the Manufacturer.'' This paragraph now
clarifies that for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective
actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a
method approved by the FAA, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),
or Airbus's EASA DOA. Where necessary throughout this AD, we also
replaced any reference to approvals of corrective actions with a
reference to the Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph.
The Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph also clarifies that, if
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized
signature. The DOA signature indicates that the data and information
contained in the document are EASA-approved, which is also FAA-
approved. Messages and other information provided by the manufacturer
that do not contain the DOA-authorized signature approval are not EASA-
approved, unless EASA directly approves the manufacturer's message or
other information.
This clarification does not remove flexibility previously afforded
by the Airworthy Product paragraph. Consistent with long-standing FAA
policy, such flexibility was never intended for required actions. This
is also consistent with the recommendation of the Airworthiness
Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee to increase
flexibility in complying with ADs by identifying those actions in
manufacturers' service instructions that are ``Required for
Compliance'' with ADs. We continue to work with manufacturers to
implement this recommendation. But once we determine that an action is
required, any deviation from the requirement must be approved as an
alternative method of compliance.
Other commenters to the NPRM discussed previously, Directorate
Identifier 2012-NM-101-AD (78 FR 78285, December 26, 2013), pointed out
that in many cases the foreign manufacturer's service bulletin and the
foreign authority's MCAI might have been issued some time before the
FAA AD. Therefore, the DOA might have provided U.S. operators with an
approved repair, developed with full awareness of the unsafe condition,
before the FAA AD is issued. Under these circumstances, to comply with
the FAA AD, the operator would be required to go back to the
manufacturer's DOA and obtain a new approval document, adding time and
expense to the compliance process with no safety benefit.
Based on these comments, we removed the requirement that the DAH-
provided repair specifically refer to this AD. Before adopting such a
requirement, the FAA will coordinate with affected DAHs and verify they
are prepared to implement means to ensure that their repair approvals
consider the unsafe condition addressed in this AD. Any such
requirements will be adopted through the normal AD rulemaking process,
including notice-and-comment procedures, when appropriate. We also have
decided not to include a generic reference to either the ``delegated
agent'' or ``DAH with State of Design Authority design organization
approval,'' but instead we have provided the specific delegation
approval granted by the State of Design Authority for the DAH in the
Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph of this AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described
previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these
minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (78 FR 70003, November 22, 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 70003, November 22, 2013).
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 156 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 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 $0 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S.
operators to be $85 per test, or $13,260 per test for U.S.-registered
airplanes.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
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
[[Page 41100]]
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0973; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2014-13-17 Airbus: Amendment 39-17893. Docket No. FAA-2013-0973;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-139-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective August 19, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes specified in paragraphs
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) of this AD;
certificated in any category; all serial numbers.
(1) Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and
B4-203 airplanes.
(2) Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes.
(3) Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes.
(4) Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes.
(5) Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes.
(6) Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of failures of the right inner
tank fuel pump. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure
of the circuit breakers for the fuel pump power supply, which could
result in a fuel pump overheating, leading to a fuel tank explosion.
(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) Repetitive Functional Tests of Circuit Breakers
(1) Within 6 months or 500 flight hours after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a functional test of the
circuit breakers for the fuel pump power supply, as identified in
paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD, as
applicable, in accordance with Airbus Alert Operators Transmission
A28W002-13, dated July 23, 2013. Repeat the functional test
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 months or 500 flight hours,
whichever occurs first.
(i) For Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, and B2-203
airplanes: Inner and outer pump, No. 1 and No. 2 left-hand (LH) side
and right-hand (RH) side.
(ii) For Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, B4-203, B4-601, B4-
603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; and A310-203, -204, -221, and -
222 airplanes:
(A) Inner and outer pump, No. 1 and No. 2, LH and RH; and
(B) Center pump, LH and RH.
(iii) For Airbus Model A300 B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R,
and C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A310-304, -322, -324, and
-325 airplanes:
(A) Inner and outer pump, No. 1 and No. 2, LH and RH;
(B) Center pump, LH and RH; and
(C) Trim tank pump No. 1 and No. 2.
(2) If, during any functional test required by paragraph (g)(1)
of this AD, any circuit breaker fails any functional test, or any
circuit breaker is found to be stuck closed, before further flight,
replace the affected circuit breaker with a serviceable part, in
accordance with Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A28W002-13,
dated July 23, 2013.
(3) The replacement of one or more circuit breakers as required
by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD does not terminate the repetitive
functional tests required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(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 Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-2125; fax 425-227-1149. Information may be
emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(i) Related Information
Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2013-0163,
dated July 24, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found
in the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0973-0002.
(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 Alert Operators Transmission A28W002-13, dated July
23, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96;
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@airbus.com;
Internet https://www.airbus.com. You may view this 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.
[[Page 41101]]
(4) You may view this 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: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 25, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15800 Filed 7-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
