[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37915-37916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17861]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-103-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330, 
and A340 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 all Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, 
A330, and A340 series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive 
inspections to detect missing and incorrectly installed parts of the 
footrest actuator assembly, and replacement of discrepant parts with 
new parts. This AD also would provide for optional terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections. 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 detachment of the footrest assembly actuator, which 
could result in partial blockage of the rudder pedals and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-103-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 service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

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-103-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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-103-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 all Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and 
A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that retaining rings (also 
called retaining clips) used to secure the pins of the footrest 
actuator installation, if missing or broken, can result in detachment 
of the footrest actuator. One operator reported such an occurrence on a 
Model A320 series airplane. Subsequent inspections conducted on the 
operator's fleet of Airbus Model A320 and A340 series airplanes 
revealed 7 broken or missing retaining rings on Model A320 series 
airplanes and 2 broken or missing retaining rings on Model A340 series 
airplanes. The footrest assembly is of similar design on Model A319, 
A320, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes. A detached footrest 
actuator can hang down into the rudder pedals, partially blocking their 
movement. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operator Telex (AOT) 25-14 (for Model A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes), and AOT 25-13 (for Model A330 and 
A340 series airplanes); both dated December 17, 1998; which describe 
procedures for repetitive inspections to detect missing and incorrectly 
installed parts of the footrest actuator assembly, and replacement of 
discrepant parts with new parts. The AOT's also describe procedures for 
the removal of the footrest assembly, which would eliminate the need 
for the repetitive inspections. The DGAC classified these AOT's as 
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 1999-047-110(B) 
(for Model A340 series airplanes) and 1999-048-090(B) (for Model A330 
series airplanes), both dated February 10, 1999; and 1999-074-127(B), 
dated February 24, 1999 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes); in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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 actions specified in the AOT's described previously. This proposed 
AD also would provide for optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections.

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Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will 
positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD and allow 
for the footrest assembly to remain installed. Once this modification 
is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may consider further 
rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 208 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$37,440, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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, Airplane, 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: Docket 99-NM-103-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and A340 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 (c) 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 detachment of the footrest assembly actuator, which 
could result in partial blockage of the rudder pedals and reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a detailed visual inspection of the footrest actuator 
assembly for discrepancies (including bent pins and missing or 
incorrectly installed retaining rings and pins), in accordance with 
All Operator Telex (AOT) 25-14, paragraph 4.2.1 (for Model A319, 
A320 and A321 series airplanes), and AOT 25-13, paragraph 4.2.1 (for 
Model A330 and A340 series airplanes); both dated December 17, 1998.
    (1) If no discrepancy is detected: Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 months.
    (2) If any discrepancy is detected: Accomplish the actions of 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii).
    (i) Prior to further flight, remove the actuator system from the 
footrest assembly and conduct a detailed visual inspection of the 
pins for damage, distortion, or wear, in accordance with paragraph 
4.2.2 of the applicable AOT. If any damage, distortion, or wear of 
the pin, or any discrepancy of the pin or the ring is detected, 
prior to further flight, replace that pin or ring with a new part, 
in accordance with paragraph 4.2.3 of the applicable AOT. And
    (ii) Repeat the detailed visual inspection of the footrest 
actuator assembly to detect discrepancies at intervals not to exceed 
15 months.
    (b) Removal of the footrest assembly constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and 
elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 1999-047-110(B) (for Model A340 series 
airplanes) and 1999-048-090(B) (for Model A330 series airplanes), 
both dated February 10, 1999; and 1999-074-127(B), dated February 
24, 1999 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-17861 Filed 7-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U