[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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