[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-451]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-119-AD; Amendment 39-8793; AD 94-01-11]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires visual 
inspections and end-float checks of the ram air turbine (RAT), and 
replacement of the RAT, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a 
report that, during an on-ground functional test of the RAT, the RAT 
broke away from its support leg. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent the RAT from breaking away from its support leg, 
which could damage the airplane structure and systems, and could injure 
ground personnel.

DATES: Effective March 3, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to Airbus Model A320 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on October 5, 1993 (58 FR 51793). That action proposed 
to require detailed visual inspections and end-float checks of the RAT, 
and replacement of the RAT with a new RAT, if necessary.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the three comments received.
    All of the commenters support the proposal.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 74 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspections and checks, and that 
the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$4,070, or $55 per airplane, per inspection/check. This total cost 
figure assumes that no operator has yet accomplished the requirements 
of this AD.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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:

94-01-11 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8793. Docket 93-NM-119-AD.
    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, equipped with ram 
air turbine (RAT) part number 680203019, 680203020, 680203021, or 
680203027; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the RAT from breaking away from its support leg, 
which could damage the airplane structure and systems, and could 
injure ground personnel, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a detailed visual inspection and an end-float check 
of the RAT between turbine and leg, in accordance with Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993, at 
the earliest of the times specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or 
(a)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 450 flight hours after the effective date of 
this AD; or
    (2) Before and after the first functional ground check of the 
RAT that is performed after the effective date of this AD; or
    (3) After the first in-flight deployment of the RAT that occurs 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (b) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the detailed visual 
inspection and the end-float check after each functional ground 
check of the RAT, and after each in-flight deployment of the RAT.

    Note 1: Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated 
April 13, 1993, references Dowty Aerospace Service Bulletin 600-29-
171, dated January 4, 1993, which provides specific descriptions of 
the discrepancies in paragraph 2 of that service bulletin.

    Note 2: The discrepancies that are addressed in this AD can only 
occur during use of the RAT and not during stowage of the RAT; 
therefore, it is not necessary to perform the repetitive inspections 
and end-float checks before each functional ground check of the RAT 
if the RAT has not been used since the preceding inspection.

    (c) If any discrepancy is detected as a result of any detailed 
visual inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Replace the RAT in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service 
Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993; and
    (2) After replacement, repeat the detailed visual inspection and 
the end-float check required by paragraph (a) of this AD. 
Thereafter, repeat the detailed visual inspection and the end-float 
check after each functional ground check of the RAT, and after each 
in-flight deployment of the RAT.
    (d) 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.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) The inspections, checks, and replacement shall be done in 
accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, 
dated April 13, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus 
Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on March 3, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-451 Filed 1-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U