[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11619-11621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4544]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-14-AD; Amendment 39-9164; AD 95-04-12]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310, A300-600, and A320 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Airbus Model A310, A300-600, and A320 series 
airplanes. This action requires inspections to verify proper 
installation of the grille over the air extraction duct of the lavatory 
and to detect blockages in the air extraction duct of the lavatory, and 
correction of any discrepancies. This amendment is prompted by reports 
of obstructions in the air extraction system of the lavatories. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent obstructions in 
the air extraction system of the lavatory, which may result in the 
failure of the smoke detection system to detect smoke in the 
lavatories.

DATES: Effective March 17, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 17, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 1, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-14-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. [[Page 11620]] 
    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 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.

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: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus 
Model A310, A300-600, and A320 series airplanes. The French DGAC 
advises that there have been reports of blockage of the air duct of the 
air extraction system for the lavatories on some airplanes. 
Investigation into the cause of this blockage has revealed that either 
the air extraction duct may be misaligned with the hole in the air 
extraction cover (i.e., the duct may be inverted and positioned 180 
degrees out of alignment), or the ceiling louver (grille) that houses 
the ceiling light may be installed improperly (i.e., the light may be 
positioned directly over the point of extraction, which would prevent 
air from being extracted).
    Each lavatory is equipped with an extraction system to remove 
lavatory air through a duct located above the lavatory ceiling. This 
duct is equipped with a smoke detector to monitor the extracted air for 
the presence of smoke. If this duct is obstructed, the air extraction 
system of the lavatories may be impaired, which could result in the 
smoke detection system failing to detect smoke in the lavatories.
    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) 26-12, Revision 1, 
dated July 4, 1994, which describes procedures for inspections to 
verify proper installation of the grille (ceiling louver) over the air 
extraction duct of the lavatory and to detect blockages in the air 
extraction duct of the lavatory. This AOT also provides instructions 
for correcting improperly installed grilles and blockages in the duct. 
The French DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directives 94-169-161(B)R1, dated September 28, 1994 (for 
Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes), and 94-168-058(B), dated 
July 20, 1994 (for Model A320 series airplanes), in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the French DGAC has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the 
findings of the French DGAC, reviewed all available information, and 
determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design 
that are certificated for operation 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, this AD is being issued to prevent failure of the 
lavatory smoke detection system to detect smoke in the lavatories. This 
AD requires inspections to verify proper installation of the grille 
over the air extraction duct of the lavatory and to detect blockages in 
the air extraction duct of the lavatory, and correction of improperly 
installed grilles and blockages in the duct. The actions are required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the AOT described previously.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-14-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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 part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: 
[[Page 11621]] 

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:

95-04-12  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9164. Docket 95-NM-14-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 10156 has not been accomplished, and Model A320 
series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22561 or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-26-1017 has not been accomplished; 
certificated in any category. This AD is not applicable to airplanes 
on which the air extraction system is not configured to detect smoke 
in the extracted air. (That is, airplanes that do not have standard 
air extraction systems are not subject to the requirements of this 
AD.)

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the lavatory smoke detection system to 
detect smoke in the lavatory, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform an inspection of each lavatory to verify proper installation 
of the grille over the air extraction duct of the lavatories, and to 
detect blockage in the air extraction duct of the lavatories, in 
accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 26-12, Revision 1, 
dated July 4, 1994.
    (1) If the grille is found to be properly installed and if no 
blockage is found, repeat the inspection thereafter whenever the 
cover over the air extraction duct of the lavatories or any ceiling 
louver (grille) of the ceiling light in the lavatory is removed or 
replaced for any reason.
    (2) If the grille is found to be improperly installed and/or if 
blockage is found, prior to further flight, correct any 
discrepancies found, in accordance with Airbus AOT 26-12, Revision 
1, dated July 4, 1994. Repeat the inspection thereafter whenever the 
cover over the air extraction duct of the lavatories or any ceiling 
louver (grille) of the ceiling light in the lavatory is removed or 
replaced for any reason.
    (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 2: 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 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The inspections and correction of discrepancies shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus AOT 26-12, Revision 1, dated July 4, 
1994. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 17, 1995.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4544 Filed 3-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U