[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 213 (Friday, November 3, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55811-55813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27306]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-90-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 adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model 
A320 series airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection to 
detect moisture and migrated bushings of the guide fittings of the 
safety locking pins of the passenger doors, removal of any moisture, 
application of grease, and reinstallation of any migrated bushing. This 
proposal also would require installation of a greasing nipple on the 
guide fitting of the locking pin and on three telescopic rods on the 
passenger doors. This proposal is prompted by reports of difficulty 
opening the passenger doors due to jamming of the locking pin. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such 
jamming of the locking pin, which could result in inability to open the 
passenger door. This condition, if not corrected, could impede or delay 
passengers from exiting the airplane during an emergency.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 18, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-90-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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.


[[Page 55812]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2589; fax (206) 227-1149.

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 95-NM-90-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. 95-NM-90-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 Industrie Model A320 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received reports 
indicating that operators of Model A320 series airplanes have 
experienced difficulty opening the passenger doors due to freezing of 
the locking mechanism during cold weather conditions. Investigation 
revealed that moisture and water accumulates and freezes between the 
upper bushings of the vertical guide fitting of the doors. This 
condition causes expansion of the bushings and compromises the 
tolerances of the guide. Consequently, the safety locking pin that fits 
in the guide can become jammed, which can result in inability to open 
the passenger door. This condition, if not corrected, could impede or 
delay passengers from exiting the airplane during an emergency.
    Airbus Industrie has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) 52-06, dated 
February 4, 1994, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection 
to detect moisture and migrated bushings of the guide fittings of the 
upper safety locking pins of the passenger doors, removal of any 
moisture that may have accumulated between the bushings, application of 
low temperature grease, and reinstallation of any migrated bushing.
    Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletin No. A320-52-1057, 
dated July 26, 1994, which describes procedures for installing a 
greasing nipple on the guide fitting of the locking pin and on three 
telescopic rods on the passenger doors. Accomplishment of the 
installation will prevent jamming of the locking pin.
    The DGAC classified the AOT and the service bulletin as mandatory 
and issued French airworthiness directive 94-239-060(B), dated November 
9, 1994, 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 DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the 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, the proposed AD would require a one-time 
inspection to detect moisture and migrated bushings of the guide 
fittings of the upper safety locking pins of the passenger doors, 
removal of any moisture, application of grease, and reinstallation of 
any migrated bushing. The proposed AD also would require installation 
of a greasing nipple on the guide fitting of the locking pin and on 
three telescopic rods on the passenger doors. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the AOT and the service 
bulletin described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 108 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane (1 work hour per door; 4 doors per airplane) to 
accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this proposed action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $25,920, or 
$240 per airplane.
    The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 40 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of this proposed action on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $259,200, or $2,400 per airplane.
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed 
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $285,120, 
or $2,640 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 

[[Page 55813]]
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 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 95-NM-90-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus 
Industrie Modification No. 24389 (Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin 
No. A320-52-1057, dated July 26, 1994) has not been accomplished, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (c) of this AD 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 jamming of the upper safety locking pin on the 
passenger door, which could result in inability to open the 
passenger door and, subsequently, could impede or delay passengers 
from exiting the airplane during an emergency, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 450 hours time-in-service after 
one year from the delivery date of the airplane, or within 450 hours 
time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Perform an inspection to detect moisture or migrated 
bushings of the guide fittings of the upper safety locking pins on 
each passenger door, in accordance with Airbus Industrie All 
Operators Telex (AOT) 52-06, dated February 4, 1994.
    (1) If any moisture is found in the guide fitting, prior to 
further flight, remove the moisture, dry the guide fitting, fill it 
with low temperature grease, and reinstall the guide fitting with 
bolts, washers, and nuts in accordance with the AOT.
    (2) If any migrated bushing is found, prior to further flight, 
reinstall the bushing using Loctite 672 in accordance with the AOT. 
If the bushing cannot be reinstalled prior to further flight, the 
airplane may be operated without the upper locking pin for an 
additional 50 hours time-in-service or three days after 
accomplishing the inspection, whichever occurs first, provided that 
the requirements specified in paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), and 
(a)(2)(iii) of this AD are accomplished. This compliance time 
applies to each passenger door.
    (i) The connecting rod to the locking shaft shall be removed.
    (ii) The guide fitting shall remain installed.
    (iii) The cavity in the guide fitting (which results from the 
removal of the upper locking pin) shall be covered with high speed 
tape to prevent moisture ingress.
    (b) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install a greasing nipple on the guide fitting of the locking pin 
and on three telescopic rods on the passenger doors in accordance 
with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin No. A320-52-1057, dated July 
26, 1994.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 30, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-27306 Filed 11-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U