[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12252-12254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5989]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-105-AD; Amendment 39-11073; AD 99-06-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 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 A320 series airplanes, that requires 
an electrical continuity test of the discharge circuit for the cargo 
compartment fire extinguisher bottle to detect any cross-connection of 
the electrical wires in the cargo compartment discharge circuit, and 
corrective actions, if necessary. 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 incorrect distribution of fire extinguishing 
chemicals in the event of a fire in the cargo compartment, which, if 
unconfined, could spread beyond the cargo compartment.

DATES: Effective April 16, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 16, 1999.

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

[[Page 12253]]

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 A320 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 20, 1998 (63 FR 
27687). That action proposed to require an electrical continuity test 
of the discharge circuit for the cargo compartment fire extinguisher 
bottle to detect any cross-connection of the electrical wires in the 
cargo compartment discharge circuit, and corrective actions, if 
necessary.

Comments

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

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter, the manufacturer, supports the proposal.

Request To Exclude Certain Airplanes From the Applicability

    One commenter requests that the applicability of the proposed AD be 
revised to exclude airplanes on which the actions specified in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-26-1034 have been accomplished. The commenter 
states that accomplishment of this service bulletin will prevent 
inadvertent cross-connection of the fire extinguisher wiring.
    The FAA concurs. The FAA has reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
26-1034, dated May 9, 1995; Revision 1, dated September 13, 1995; 
Revision 2, dated April 1, 1996; and Revision 3, dated December 5, 
1997. This service bulletin and its revisions describe procedures for 
modification of the wiring routing to connectors to the fire 
extinguisher bottle of the cargo compartment. The FAA finds that 
accomplishment of this modification also adequately addresses the 
identified unsafe condition. Therefore, the FAA finds that airplanes on 
which the modification specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-
1034 has been accomplished are not subject to the requirements of this 
AD. The FAA has revised the applicability of the final rule 
accordingly.

Request To Include Certain Airplanes in the Applicability

    One commenter requests that the applicability of the proposed AD be 
revised to include airplanes on which the modification specified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1051 (which describes procedures for 
the installation of a fire extinguishing system in the forward cargo 
compartment) has been accomplished. The commenter asserts that Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-26-1051 accomplishes the same technical intent as 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1020 (which specifies such installation 
in both the forward and aft cargo compartments). The commenter 
concludes that airplanes on which Service Bulletin A320-26-1051 has 
been accomplished also should be subject to the requirements of the 
proposed AD.
    The FAA does not concur. If operators elect to accomplish optional 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1051, that service bulletin specifies 
accomplishment of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1034. Because the 
actions specified by Service Bulletin A320-26-1034 are to be 
accomplished prior to or concurrently with those specified by Service 
Bulletin A320-26-1051, it will not be necessary to include in the final 
rule airplanes on which Service Bulletin A320-26-1051 has been 
accomplished. As discussed above, airplanes on which the modification 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1034 has been accomplished 
are not subject to the requirements of this AD.

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

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 118 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,080, or $60 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:
99-06-09  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11073. Docket 98-NM-105-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes having manufacturer 
serial numbers 002 through 402 inclusive, on which Airbus 
Modification 20071 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1020, 
Revision 1, dated

[[Page 12254]]

January 4, 1993) has been accomplished; except those airplanes on 
which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1034, dated May 9, 1995; 
Revision 1, dated September 13, 1995; Revision 2, dated April 1, 
1996; or Revision 3, dated December 5, 1997; 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 (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 incorrect distribution of fire extinguishing 
chemicals in the event of a fire in the cargo compartment, which, if 
unconfined, could spread beyond the cargo compartment, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time electrical continuity test of the discharge 
circuit for the cargo compartment fire extinguisher bottle to detect 
any cross-connection of the electrical wires in the cargo 
compartment discharge circuit, in accordance with Airbus All 
Operator Telex (AOT) A320/AOT 26-10, dated April 5, 1993. If any 
anomaly is detected, prior to further flight, accomplish corrective 
actions in accordance with the AOT.
    (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 All 
Operator Telex A320/AOT 26-10, dated April 5, 1993. 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 94-056-051(B), dated March 16, 1994.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 16, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 4, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5989 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U