[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6927-6928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3614]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-77-AD; Amendment 39-9518; AD 96-04-06]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires 
replacement of the relays in the forward electronics rack of the 
braking system of the landing gear with new relays. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of loss of the systems of the braking/steering 
control unit (BSCU) on these airplanes due to electrical overvoltage of 
the relays. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such electrical overvoltage of the relays, which could result in the 
loss of the BSCU systems, and subsequent loss of the antiskid functions 
and nose wheel steering of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 25, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 25, 1996.

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 

[[Page 6928]]
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles D. 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 20, 1995 (60 
FR 54202). That action proposed to require replacement of certain 
relays in the forward electronics rack 90VU of the braking system of 
the landing gear with new relays.
    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.
    The commenters support the proposed rule.
    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 87 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,440, or 
$120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-04-06  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9518. Docket 95-NM-77-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 23611 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1115) 
has not been installed, certificated in any category.

    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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent an electrical overvoltage of the relays, which could 
result in the loss of the braking/steering control unit (BSCU) 
systems, and subsequent loss of the antiskid functions and nose 
wheel steering of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace relays 24 GG and 25 GG in the forward electronics rack 90VU 
of zone 120 of the braking system of the landing gear with new 
relays, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1115, 
Revision 2, dated September 21, 1994.
    (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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-32-1115, Revision 2, dated September 21, 1994, 
which contains the following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision                            
                                      level                             
             Page No.               shown on      Date shown on page    
                                      page                              
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1-4, 13...........................         2  Sept. 21, 1994.           
5-12..............................         1  Apr. 22, 1994.            
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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 25, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-3614 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P