[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 203 (Thursday, October 21, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56715-56717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27566]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-254-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes, that currently requires relocation of 
the engine/master 1 relay from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the 
avionics bay. This action would continue to require the relocation 
using new electrical contacts, and, for certain airplanes, would add a 
requirement to replace certain contacts installed in shelf 95VU during 
relocation of the relay with new contacts. 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 a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to 
both engines, which could result in a loss of engine power and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-254-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-254-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-254-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On September 14, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-20-10, amendment 39-
10777 (63 FR 50492, September 22, 1998), applicable to certain Airbus 
Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, to require relocation of 
the engine/master 1 relay from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the 
avionics bay. That action was prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent a 
simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to both engines, which could 
result in a loss of engine power and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the Direction Generale de l'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has 
advised that the airplane manufacturer discovered that a number of the 
modification kits referenced in the service bulletin contained 
incorrect contact parts.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 03, dated 
September 16, 1998. The modification procedures described in this 
service bulletin are essentially identical to those described in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Revision 01, dated 
December 24, 1997; and Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998; which were 
referenced in AD 98-20-10 as appropriate sources of service 
information. However, Revision 03 of the service bulletin includes new 
modification kit numbers and, for airplanes modified in accordance with 
the original issue, Revision 01, or Revision 02 of the service 
bulletin, describes procedures for replacement of the contacts on lines 
20 through 23 in shelf 95VU with new contacts. Accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified Revision 
03 of this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 1999-263-134(B), dated June 30, 1999, 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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral

[[Page 56716]]

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 supersede AD 98-20-10 to 
continue to require relocation of the engine/master 1 relay from relay 
box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the avionics bay. This proposed AD would add 
a requirement to replace certain contacts installed in shelf 95VU 
during relocation of the relay, with new contacts. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with Revision 03 of the 
service bulletin described previously.

Explanation of Applicability

    The applicability of AD 98-20-10 specifies airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 26065 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-
1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997) has not been accomplished. 
As described above, this proposed AD would require additional action 
for airplanes modified in accordance with the original issue, Revision 
01, or Revision 02 of the service bulletin. Therefore, the FAA has 
revised the applicability statement of this proposed AD to specify that 
this AD would apply to airplanes listed in Revision 03 of the service 
bulletin.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 120 airplanes of U.S. registry that would 
be affected by this proposed AD.
    The modification that is currently required by AD 98-20-10, and 
retained by this proposed AD, takes approximately 61 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts cost approximately $209 or $961 per airplane, depending 
on the modification kit purchased. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be as low as $3,869 per airplane, or as high as $4,621 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the replacement of 
certain contacts that is proposed in this AD action, it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be supplied by 
the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed replacement on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 removing amendment 39-10777 (63 FR 
50492, September 22, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-254-AD. Supersedes AD 98-20-10, 
Amendment 39-10777.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; as 
listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 03, dated 
September 16, 1998; 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 a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to both 
engines, which could result in a loss of engine power and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 18 months after October 27, 1998 (the effective date 
of AD 98-20-10, amendment 39-10777), relocate the engine/master 1 
relay (11QG) from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the avionics bay, 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 
26, 1997; Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; Revision 02, dated 
March 9, 1998; or Revision 03, dated September 16, 1998. After the 
effective date of this AD, only Revision 03 shall be used.
    (b) For airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, 
dated March 26, 1997; Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; or 
Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998; has been accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD: Within 500 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the contacts on lines 20 through 
23 in shelf 95VU with new contacts, in accordance with paragraph 
B.(2)(m) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 03, dated September 16, 1998.

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.


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    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

    (d) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-263-134(B), dated June 30, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 15, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27566 Filed 10-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P