[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]
[[Page 37915]]
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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.
[[Page 37916]]
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