AD NUMBER: 2019-24-01

PRODUCT: Airbus SAS Model A318 and A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes; Model A330-200 and A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-500 and -600 airplanes (except for airplanes equipped with flammability reduction means (FRM) approved by the FAA as compliant with the Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction (FTFR) rule).

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY: This AD was prompted by the FAA's analysis of the fuel system reviews on these models conducted by the manufacturer. This AD requires modifying the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) to prevent development of an ignition source inside the center fuel tank due to electrical fault conditions.

This AD also provides alternative actions for cargo airplanes. This AD does not apply to airplanes equipped with FRM approved by the FAA.

DATES: This AD is effective February 19, 2020.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1 airplane of U.S. registry. Operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD:

The FAA estimates that it takes about 1,200 work-hours per product to comply with the basic modification requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per workhour. The FAA received no definitive data that would enable the agency to provide cost estimates for the parts needed to do the actions specified in this AD. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the labor cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $102,000.

The FAA has not received definitive information on the costs for the alternative wire separation modification specified in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. The cost for this action in similar rulemaking on other airplanes, however, suggests that this modification could take about 74 work-hours with parts costing about $10,000, for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $16,290 per product. The FAA estimates that the repetitive FQIS tank circuit checks associated with the alternative wire separation modification would take about 1 work-hour per check. The FAA estimates the cost of this check on U.S. operators to be $85 per product, per check.

FMI: AD rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgad.nsf/0/D39259EADED8CF28862584F00055A799?OpenDocument