[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]


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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.

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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