[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2332]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-08-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Industrie 
Model A320 series airplanes, that currently requires modification of 
the belly fairing structure. This action would revise the compliance 
time for accomplishment of the modification. All other parts of the 
rule would remain unchanged. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to ensure that the structural integrity of the belly 
fairing structure is maintained.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-08-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 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: 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:

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 94-NM-08-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. 94-NM-08-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.

Discussion

    On December 6, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-24-11, Amendment 39-8760 
(58 FR 64875, December 10, 1993), applicable to certain Airbus 
Industrie Model A320 series airplanes, to require modification of the 
belly fairing structure. That action was prompted by results of fatigue 
testing, which revealed that rivet heads were sheared off and fatigue 
cracks were present in the angles at the angle attachment between the 
keelbeam and the belly fairing support frames. The requirements of that 
AD are intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of the belly 
fairing structure.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has become aware that the 
compliance time specified in paragraph (a) of AD 93-24-11 for 
accomplishment of the modification could allow certain operators to 
accomplish the modification at a time considerably later than that 
intended. Paragraph (a) of that AD currently requires that the 
modification be accomplished prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total 
landings after January 10, 1994 (the effective date of AD 93-24-11, 
Amendment 39-8760), or within 300 days after that date, whichever 
occurs later. However, the FAA's intent is that the modification be 
accomplished prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings on the 
airplane, or within 300 days after the effective date of the AD, 
whichever occurs later. The FAA has determined that AD 93-24-11 must be 
superseded to revise the compliance time in order to ensure that the 
structural integrity of the belly fairing structure is maintained in a 
timely manner. All other parts of the rule would remain as published 
originally.
    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable 
bilateral airworthiness agreement. The FAA has determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 93-24-11 to 
continue to require modification of the belly fairing structure. This 
proposed AD would revise the compliance time to require accomplishment 
of that modification prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings 
on the airplane, or within 300 days after January 10, 1994, whichever 
occurs later. The actions would continue to be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-
53-1014, dated June 25, 1992, or Revision 1, dated May 26, 1993.
    The FAA estimates that 20 airplanes of U.S. registry were affected 
by AD 93-24-11, and would continue to be affected by this proposed 
supersedure of that AD. It takes approximately 288 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the actions currently required by AD 93-24-11, 
and the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts cost 
approximately $1,045 per airplane. Based on these figures, the current 
cost impact of AD 93-24-11 on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$337,700, or $16,885 per airplane.
    The total cost figure indicated above is presented as if no 
operator has yet accomplished the requirements of AD 93-24-11 (or this 
proposed supersedure of that AD). There are no foreseeable additional 
costs that would be imposed by this proposed supersedure of AD 93-24-
11.
    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 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 removing amendment 39-8760 (58 FR 
64875, December 10, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:


Airbus Industrie: Docket 94-NM-08-AD. Supersedes AD 93-24-11, 
Amendment 39-8760.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, MSN 003 through 092 
inclusive, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of the belly fairing 
structure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings on the 
airplane, or within 300 days after January 10, 1994 (the effective 
date of AD 93-24-11, Amendment 39-8760), whichever occurs later: 
Modify the belly fairing structure in accordance with Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1014, dated June 25, 1992, or 
Revision 1, dated May 26, 1993.
    (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: 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 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 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 January 27, 1994.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-2332 Filed 2-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U