[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 245 (Thursday, December 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66887-66889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31110]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-164-AD; Amendment 39-9849; AD 96-25-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that
currently requires repetitive visual inspections and end-float checks
of the ram air turbine (RAT), and replacement of the RAT, if necessary.
This amendment requires installation of a modified RAT, which
constitutes terminating action for the currently required inspections.
This amendment is prompted by the development of a modification of the
RAT that positively addresses the unsafe condition. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent the RAT from breaking away
from its support leg, which could damage the airplane structure and
systems, and could injure ground personnel.
DATES: Effective January 27, 1997. The incorporation by reference of
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1065, dated February 28, 1995, as
listed in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal
Register as of January 27, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin
A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993, as listed in the regulations, was
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of March
3, 1994 (59 FR 4562, February 1, 1994).
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) by superseding AD 94-01-11,
amendment 39-8793 (59 FR 4562, February 1, 1994), which is applicable
to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, was published in the
Federal Register on September 11, 1996 (61 FR 47829). The action
proposed to require to continue to require repetitive visual
inspections and end-float checks of the ram air turbine (RAT), and
replacement of the RAT, if necessary. The action also proposed to
require the installation of the new modified RAT (Modification 24701)
as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. In addition, the
action proposed to limit the applicability of the AD to only airplanes
on which Modification 24701 has not been installed.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the two comments received.
Both commenters support the proposed rule.
Conclusion
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.
[[Page 66888]]
Cost Impact
There are approximately 94 Airbus Model A320 series airplanes of
U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.
The inspections/checks that are currently required by AD 94-01-11
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact on U.S. operators of the current inspection/check
requirement is estimated to be $5,640, or $60 per airplane, per
inspection/check.
The terminating modification that is required in this AD action
will take approximately 74 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these
figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators of the modification
requirement of this AD is estimated to be $417,360, or $4,440 per
airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
Regulatory Impact
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 removing amendment 39-8793 (59 FR
4562, February 1, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-9849, to read as follows:
96-25-07 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9849. Docket 96-NM-164-AD.
Supersedes AD 94-01-11, Amendment 39-8793.
Applicability: Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, and -232
series airplanes; on which Airbus Industrie Modification 24701 (as
described in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1065, dated February
28, 1995) 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 (e) 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 the ram air turbine (RAT) from breaking away from its
support leg, which could damage the airplane structure and systems,
and could injure ground personnel, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a detailed visual inspection and an end-float check
of the RAT between turbine and leg, in accordance with Airbus
Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993, at
the earliest of the times specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or
(a)(3) of this AD:
(1) Within the next 450 flight hours after March 3, 1994 (the
effective date of AD 94-01-11, amendment 39-8793); or
(2) Before and after the first functional ground check of the
RAT that is performed after March 3, 1994; or
(3) After the first in-flight deployment of the RAT that occurs
after March 3, 1994.
(b) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the detailed visual
inspection and the end-float check after each functional ground
check of the RAT, and after each in-flight deployment of the RAT.
Note 2: Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated
April 13, 1993, references Dowty Aerospace Service Bulletin 600-29-
171, dated January 4, 1993, which provides specific descriptions of
the discrepancies in paragraph 2 of that service bulletin.
Note 3: The discrepancies that are addressed in this AD can only
occur during use of the RAT, and not during stowage of the RAT;
therefore, it is not necessary to perform the repetitive inspections
and end-float checks before each functional ground check of the RAT
if the RAT has not been used since the preceding inspection.
(c) If any discrepancy is detected as a result of any detailed
visual inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight,
accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of
this AD.
(1) Replace the RAT in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service
Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993; and after replacement,
repeat the detailed visual inspection and the end-float check
required by paragraph (a) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the
detailed visual inspection and the end-float check after each
functional ground check of the RAT, and after each in-flight
deployment of the RAT. Or
(2) Install a new modified RAT (Modification 24701) in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1065, dated February
28, 1995. Installation of this modification constitutes terminating
action for the repetitive visual inspections and end-float checks
required by this AD.
(d) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, install
a new modified RAT (Modification 24701) in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-29-1065, dated February 28, 1995. Installation
of this modification constitutes terminating action for the
repetitive visual inspections and end-float checks required by this
AD.
(e) 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, 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(f) 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.
(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus
Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993, and
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1065, dated February 28, 1995. The
incorporation by
[[Page 66889]]
reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1065, dated February
28, 1995, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The incorporation
by reference of Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061,
dated April 13, 1993, was approved previously by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51 as of March 3, 1994 (59 FR 4562, February 1, 1994). 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.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31110 Filed 12-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U