[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50129-50130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24901]
[[Page 50129]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-15-AD; Amendment 39-10770; AD 98-20-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
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 A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes, that requires replacing certain toilet rinse valves with
modified rinse valves. This amendment is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent water contamination of the avionics computers, which could
result in the display of erroneous or misleading information to the
flightcrew, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 26, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 26, 1998.
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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 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 A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
March 20, 1998 (63 FR 13570). That action proposed to require replacing
certain Monogram toilet rinse valves with modified rinse valves.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
Two commenters express their concerns that additional sources of
fluid contamination of avionics computers exist. One commenter
specifies that other possible fluid sources include water supply and
drain lines, coffee makers, water boilers, water filters, hot-cups,
beverage containers, trash cans, rain, snow, waste tanks, waste tank
rinse systems, hydraulic lines, fuel lines, and de-icing fluid systems.
The other commenter states that, since the avionics computers probably
have cooling air holes in their cases and are not intrinsically
tolerant of moisture ingress, it may be desirable to provide additional
protection of the avionics computers such as installing drip shields.
The commenter further suggests that the need for such additional
protection could be verified by a safety analysis conducted to consider
the probability of failure of the rinse valve, the probability of
overflow fluids entering the computers, and the probability of
hazardous malfunction of the computers due to moisture ingress.
The FAA acknowledges the commenters' concern that other potential
sources of fluid contamination may exist. However, an existing unsafe
condition (water contamination of the avionics computers due to
malfunction of the toilet rinse valve) has been identified and a
corrective action required in this rule. The FAA finds that to delay
issuance of this final rule would be inappropriate, since issuance of
an AD is the means by which the identified unsafe condition will be
addressed. Therefore, no change to this final rule is necessary.
However, the FAA has been advised that additional safety analyses
have been conducted to address other probabilities of contamination of
the avionics computers. Additionally, the FAA is reviewing additional
information received from the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile
(DGAC), the airworthiness authority for France, concerning
contamination of the avionics computers. After review of the findings
of this information, the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 16 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided 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 $5,760, or
$360 per airplane.
The 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.
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:
[[Page 50130]]
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:
98-20-04 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10770. Docket 98-NM-15-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes;
equipped with Monogram rinse valves having part number (P/N) 15800-
348, Revision C; and on which Airbus Modification 26145 (reference
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-38-1049) 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 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 water contamination of the avionics computers, which
could result in the display of erroneous or misleading information
to the flightcrew, and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace all Monogram toilet rinse valves having P/N 15800-348,
Revision C, with modified rinse valves, in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-38-1049, dated January 22, 1997.
(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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-38-1049, dated January 22, 1997. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-269-103(B), dated September 24, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 26, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 11, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24901 Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]
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