[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50492-50493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25028]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-61-AD; Amendment 39-10777; AD 98-20-10]
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 relocation of the engine/master 1 relay from 
relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the avionics bay. 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 a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel 
supply to both engines, which could result in a loss of engine power 
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective October 27, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 27, 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 May 
12, 1998 (63 FR 26107). That action proposed to require relocation of 
the engine/master 1 relay from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the 
avionics bay.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Three commenters support the proposed rule.

Requests to Reference Latest Airbus Service Bulletin

    Two commenters request that paragraph (a) of the proposed AD be 
revised to reference Revision 02 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-
1092, dated March 9, 1998. However, one of these commenters requests 
that the FAA cite only Revision 02 as the appropriate source of service 
information for accomplishment of the proposed relocation, rather than 
citing the original version or Revision 01 of the service bulletin as 
proposed in the NPRM. This commenter states that the relocation cannot 
be accomplished in accordance with the original version or Revision 01 
of the referenced service bulletin, but provides no additional 
information regarding errors in these revisions.
    The FAA concurs with the commenters' request to reference Revision 
02 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-23-1092, dated March 9, 1998, in the 
final rule as an additional source of service information for 
accomplishment of the relocation. However, the FAA does not concur with 
the one commenter's request to cite only Revision 02 of the subject 
service bulletin. The FAA points out that Revision 02 of the service 
bulletin states that no further work is necessary on airplanes modified 
in accordance with the original version or Revision 01 of the service 
bulletin. In addition, the FAA has reviewed Revision 02 of the subject 
service bulletin and finds that the relocation procedures are identical 
to those described in the original version and Revision 01 of the 
subject service bulletin. The only relevant

[[Page 50493]]

change is to the work hour estimate, which has been increased from 16 
work hours to 61 work hours per airplane. Therefore, the FAA has 
revised paragraph (a) and the cost impact information of the final rule 
accordingly.

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 with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 120 Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 61 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $209 or $961 per airplane, 
depending on the service kit purchased. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be as low as 
$3,869 per airplane, or as high as $4,621 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.

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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-20-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10777. Docket 98-NM-61-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; on 
which Airbus Modification 26065 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-24-1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997) 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 a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to both 
engines, which could result in a loss of engine power and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
relocate the engine/master 1 relay (11QG) from relay box 103VU to 
shelf 95VU in the avionics bay, in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Revision 01, dated 
December 24, 1997; or Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998.
    (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 relocation shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 02, dated March 9, 
1998. 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 97-360-111(B), dated November 19, 1997.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25028 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P