[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51684-51686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24847]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-270-AD; Amendment 39-11335; AD 99-20-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
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 A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes, that requires modification of the 90VU electronics rack 
umbrellas, the 91VU upper shelf assembly, the cockpit drain circuit, 
and the electrical wire routing above the 90VU electronics rack. 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 damage to computer 
electrical connectors due to ingress of water into the avionics bay, 
which could result in malfunctioning of the avionics computers.

DATES: Effective October 29, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 29, 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 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 A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 
2, 1999 (64 FR 29607).

[[Page 51685]]

That action proposed to require modification of the 90VU electronics 
rack umbrellas, the 91VU upper shelf assembly, the cockpit drain 
circuit, and the electrical wire routing above the 90VU electronics 
rack.

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.
    One commenter supports the proposal. Another commenter states that 
it has no objection to the requirements of the proposed rule or the 
compliance period.

Later Revision of Service Bulletin

    One commenter, an operator, states that it plans to accomplish 
removal of shelves to improve access to the area in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1186, Revision 02, dated April 27, 
1999. Revision 01 of this service bulletin, dated September 23, 1998, 
was cited in the proposed AD as the appropriate source of service 
information. The FAA has reviewed Revision 02 of the service bulletin 
and has determined that it is essentially the same as the previous 
revision except in allowing for removal of certain shelves to allow 
easier access to the area. The FAA has revised paragraph (a) of the AD 
to require accomplishment of the modification in accordance with 
Revision 02 of the service bulletin, and has revised NOTE 2 to give 
credit to operators who may have previously accomplished the 
modification in accordance with Revision 01.

Request To Revise Compliance Time

    One commenter, an operator, requests that the compliance time for 
modification of the moisture shroud (umbrella) in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1186, which is ``two years after the 
effective date of this AD,'' be revised to have the same compliance 
deadline as that specified in FAA AD 99-02-03, amendment 39-10992 (64 
FR 2552, January 15, 1999). Accomplishment of A320-24-1054 is required 
by AD 99-02-03 within three years after the effective date of that AD, 
resulting in a compliance date of February 19, 2002. The commenter 
notes that it is necessary to install the moisture shroud as described 
in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1054, on airplanes delivered without 
the shroud, prior to accomplishing the modification of the shroud 
described in A320-25-1186.
    The FAA concurs. The FAA has determined that the compliance time in 
this AD for modification of the moisture shroud as described in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-25-1186, Revision 02, dated April 27, 1999, 
should be revised to allow for prior or concurrent accomplishment of 
the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1054, Revision 
02, dated September 22, 1993. The FAA has extended the compliance time 
for modification of the shroud as required by this AD by 6 months, 
which will provide operators with adequate time to schedule and 
accomplish the requirements of AD 99-02-03 prior to or concurrent with 
the requirements of this AD. The FAA has determined that such an 
extension will have no adverse effect on safety. Paragraph (a) of this 
AD has been revised to specify the extended compliance time of 30 
months.

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

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 140 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 19 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $159,600, or 
$1,140 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:

99-20-05  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11335. Docket 98-NM-270-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, on which Airbus Modification 25995 has 
not been accomplished.

    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 damage to computer electrical connectors due to 
ingress of water into the avionics bay, which could result in 
malfunctioning of the avionics computers, accomplish the following:

[[Page 51686]]

Modification

    (a) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the 90VU electronics rack umbrellas, the 91VU upper shelf assembly, 
the cockpit drain circuit, and the electrical wire routing above the 
90VU electronics rack; in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1186, Revision 02, dated April 27, 1999.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the modification required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1186, dated December 1, 1997, or Revision 01, dated September 23, 
1998, prior to the effective date of this AD, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

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 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

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin
    A320-25-1186, Revision 02, dated April 27, 1999. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-178-115(B), dated May 6, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 29, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 17, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24847 Filed 9-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U