[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69188-69189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33103]



[[Page 69188]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-302-AD; Amendment 39-10944; AD 98-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A321 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A321 series airplanes. This action 
requires modification and re-identification of the evacuation slide 
systems at left-and right-hand emergency exits 2 and 3. This amendment 
is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent the loss of the evacuation 
slides during flight, which could result in damage to the empennage, or 
inability of airplane occupants to use certain exit doors during an 
emergency.

DATES: Effective December 31, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 31, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-302-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    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 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.

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: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the 
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A321 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that two operators of Model A321 
series airplanes reported the loss of an evacuation slide during 
flight. The loss of the slide was attributed to a leak of pressurized 
cabin air into the inflation line of the evacuation slide, which 
resulted in detachment of the door to the container in which the slide 
was stored (``blow out door''). Deployment or separation from the 
airplane of an evacuation slide during flight could result in damage to 
the empennage, or inability of airplane occupants to use certain exit 
doors during an emergency.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    On January 3, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-01-09, amendment 39-9880 
(62 FR 2009, January 15, 1997), which requires repetitive inspections 
to detect cracking and delamination of the doors that contain the left 
and right emergency evacuation slides, and repair or replacement, if 
necessary. That AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1167, dated June 24, 1996, which, among 
other things, includes procedures for modification of the escape slide 
system, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements in that AD.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1199, dated March 25, 
1998, which describes procedures for modification and re-identification 
of the emergency evacuation slide systems at left- and right-hand 
emergency exits number 2 and 3. The modification includes replacement 
of the pressure check valve and the O-ring on the aspirator with new or 
serviceable components. (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1199, dated 
March 25, 1998, references Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 005-25-
07, dated September 2, 1997, as an additional source of service 
information for accomplishment of the modification and re-
identification.) Accomplishment of the action specified in the Airbus 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition.
    The DGAC classified the Airbus service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive 98-292-117(B), dated July 29, 
1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent the loss of 
the evacuation slides during flight, which could result in damage to 
the empennage, or inability of airplane occupants to use certain exit 
doors during an emergency. This AD requires accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the Airbus service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule 
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; 
therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, 
the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes 
are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 8 work hours (4 
doors at 2 hours each) to accomplish the required modification, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the modification proposed by this AD 
would be $480 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic

[[Page 69189]]

impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior 
notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment 
may be made effective in less than 30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-NM-302-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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:

98-26-03  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10944. Docket 98-NM-302-AD.

    Applicability: Model A321 series airplanes, except those on 
which Airbus Modification 27036 has been installed; or on which the 
action described in Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-25-1199, 
dated March 25, 1998, has 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 (d) 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 loss of the evacuation slides during flight, 
which could result in damage to the empennage, or inability of 
airplane occupants to use certain exit doors during an emergency; 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Accomplish the modification and re-identification of the evacuation 
slide systems at left- and right-hand emergency exits 2 and 3, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1199, dated March 
25, 1998.
    (b) The modification required by paragraph (b) of AD 97-01-09, 
amendment 39-9880 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1167, 
dated June 24, 1996), must be accomplished prior to or 
simultaneously with the modification required by this AD.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1199, dated March 25, 
1998, references Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 005-25-07, dated 
September 2, 1997, as an additional source of service information 
for accomplishment of the modification and re-identification of the 
evacuation slide systems specified in this AD.

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane, an evacuation slide system having part number 
62292-101, 62292-102, 62293-101, 62293-102, 62292-103, 62292-104, 
62293-103, or 62293-104.
    (d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1199, dated March 25, 1998. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-292-117(B), dated July 29, 1998.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 31, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 8, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-33103 Filed 12-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U