[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6931-6932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3836]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-89-AD; Amendment 39-9522; AD 96-04-10]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-231 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 A320-231 series airplanes, that 
requires modification of the fire wall of each engine. This amendment 
is prompted by a report of a fire in the engine of an in-service 
airplane due to the fire wall being improperly sealed during 
production. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
propagation of a fire through a gap (opening) in the fire wall in the 
event of an engine fire, as a result of improperly sealed fire wall.

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 Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

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: 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 A320-231 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 8, 
1995 (60 FR 56270). That action proposed to require modification of the 
fire wall of each engine on these airplanes.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Two commenters support the proposal.
    One commenter requests that the proposal be withdrawn. This 
commenter, International Aero Engines, states that its records indicate 
that all engines installed on affected airplanes worldwide have been 
modified already in accordance with the procedures that were proposed 
in the notice. In light of this, the commenter considers that an AD to 
require modification of the engines is unnecessary.
    The FAA does not concur. This commenter did not provide specific 
data to the FAA to verify that all affected airplanes have been 
modified. Without that data, this AD is necessary to ensure that all 
airplanes currently on the U.S. Register, as well as any airplane later 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register, are modified in accordance 
with the AD. Further, it is the responsibility of the FAA to ensure 
that the configuration that resulted in the addressed unsafe condition 
is corrected and is not reintroduced into the U.S. fleet either through 
production, repair, or overhaul; this AD is the appropriate vehicle for 
doing that.
    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 108 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 operators. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,960, 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:

96-04-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9522. Docket 95-NM-89-AD.

[[Page 6932]]

    Applicability: Model A320-231 series airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 23929 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-78-1009) 
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 
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 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 propagation of a fire through a gap (opening) in the 
fire wall as a result of an improperly sealed fire wall in the event 
of an engine fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the fire wall of each engine in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-78-1009, dated October 14, 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 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 modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-78-1009, dated October 14, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 25, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-3836 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
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