[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34588-34590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16328]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-48-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model 
A320 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the 
disc valve and spring in the low pressure non-return valve of the 
airborne ground check module (AGCM) of the ram air turbine (RAT). This 
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent malfunction of the 
low pressure non-return valve in the AGCM. If the RAT is being used due 
to the loss of other systems, a malfunction of the valve could result 
in loss of the blue hydraulic system, and consequent loss of certain 
flight control and electrical systems of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 28, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-48-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The Airbus Industrie service bulletin referenced in the proposed 
rule may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. The Sundstrand service bulletin 
referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Sundstrand 
Aerospace, 4747 Harrison Avenue, P.O. Box 7002, Rockford, Illinois 
61125-7002. These service bulletins may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-48-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

[[Page 34589]]

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-48-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 Industrie Model A320 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during two in-flight events and 
during one functional test of the airborne ground check module (AGCM) 
of the ram air turbine (RAT), a blockage of the low pressure check 
valve was observed. Investigation revealed that the blockage was caused 
by a malfunction of the low pressure non-return valve in the AGCM. If 
the RAT is being used due to the loss of other systems, the malfunction 
of the valve could result in loss of the blue hydraulic system, and 
consequent loss of certain flight control and electrical systems of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletin A320-29-1086, dated 
October 19, 1998, and Revision 01, dated March 9, 1999, which describes 
procedures for replacement of the disc valve and spring in the low 
pressure non-return valve of the AGCM of the RAT. This service bulletin 
references Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS13GCM-29-3, dated June 24, 
1998, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment 
of the replacement.
    Accomplishment of the action specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified the Airbus Industrie service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive 98-537-124(B), dated December 30, 
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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) 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 Proposed 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, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the action specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 165 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $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 proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $9,900, or $60 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-48-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, except those 
airplanes on which
    Airbus Industrie modification 27728 has been installed in 
production, or on which Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-
1086 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 malfunction of the low pressure non-return valve in 
the airborne ground check module (AGCM) of the ram air turbine 
(RAT), which could result in loss of the blue hydraulic system, and 
consequent loss of certain flight control and electrical systems, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the disc valve and spring in the low pressure non-return 
valve in the AGCM with a new poppet, and re-identify the AGCM name 
plate, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-
1086, dated October 19, 1998, or Revision 01, dated March 9, 1999; 
and Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS13GCM-29-3, dated June 24, 1998.

[[Page 34590]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-537-124(B), dated December 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-16328 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U