[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72533-72534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33290]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-92-AD; Amendment 39-11481; AD 99-26-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 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 and A320 series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking and delamination of 
the containers in which the off-wing emergency evacuation slides are 
stored, and corrective actions, if necessary. The AD also requires 
eventual modifications of the slides, which terminates the requirement 
for repetitive inspections. 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 the loss of the escape slides during flight, which could 
make the emergency exits located over each wing unusable and result in 
damage to the fuselage.

DATES: Effective February 1, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 1, 2000.

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 Airubus Model A319 and 
A320 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on October 14, 1999 
(64 FR 55642). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections 
to detect cracking and delamination of the containers in which the off-
wing emergency evacuation slides are stored, and corrective actions, if 
necessary. That action also proposed to require eventual modifications 
of the slides, which would terminate the requirement for repetitive 
inspections.

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.

Support for Terminating Modification

    Two commenters agree with the proposal to mandate eventual 
modifications of the off-wing escape slides within 5 years in order to 
terminate the repetitive inspections.

Request To Allow Flight With Certain Discrepancies

    Two commenters request that paragraph (b) of the proposed AD be 
revised to allow continued flight if discrepancies are detected that do 
not exceed the limits specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1161, Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999. The commenters state that 
the intent of the Airbus service bulletin and the related Air Cruisers 
Service Bulletin 004-25-38 is to allow further flight until the next 
scheduled maintenance of the airplane, provided cracks (or 
delamination) in the enclosure and door do not exceed the limits 
specified.
    The FAA partially concurs. The FAA acknowledges the manufacturer's 
conclusion that continued flight with cracking or delamination within 
the limits specified in the referenced service bulletins is acceptable 
for a period of time. The FAA has determined that discrepancies within 
the specified limits would not constitute a hazard to the airplane for 
a short period of time prior to repair. However, the FAA does not 
concur with the commenters' suggestion that such repair may be 
performed at the next scheduled maintenance interval, since no 
definitive time is specified by which the repair must be accomplished. 
The FAA has determined that, following detection of discrepancies 
within specified limits, repair must be accomplished within 90 days, 
and has revised paragraph (b) of the final rule accordingly.

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

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 121 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $36,300, or $300 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $170 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the required modification on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $64,130, or $530 per airplane, The cost 
impact figures discussed above are 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

[[Page 72534]]

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:

99-26-22 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11481. Docket 96-NM-92-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except airplanes on which Airbus 
Modifications 24850 and 25844 have been installed in production, or 
on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999, has 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 (e) 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 the loss of the escape slides during flight, which 
could make the emergency exits located over each wing unusable and 
result in damage to the fuselage, accomplish the following:

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (a) At the latest of the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable: Perform a detailed 
visual inspection to detect cracking and delamination of each off-
wing escape slide container, including the container door, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, 
dated February 2, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 18 months, until accomplishment of the 
actions required by paragraph (d) of this AD.
    (1) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Within 18 months after the last inspection in accordance 
with Airbus All Operator Telex 25-09, dated January 2, 1995, or 
Revision 1, dated February 16, 1995; or Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1161, dated June 21, 1995; if accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD.
    (3) Within 18 months after modification of the off-wing escape 
slides in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, 
dated June 21, 1995; if accomplished prior to the effective date 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.''

    (b) If any crack or delamination is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD that does not exceed the limits 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, 
dated February 2, 1999: Within 90 days after detection of the crack 
or delamination, repair in accordance with the service bulletin, and 
continue inspecting in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) If any crack or delamination is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD that exceeds the limits 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, 
dated February 2, 1999: Prior to further flight, replace the 
discrepant container with a serviceable container in accordance with 
the service bulletin, and continue inspecting in accordance with 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

Terminating Modification

    (d) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the off-wing escape slides (i.e., modifications, inspection, repair, 
and repacking) in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1156, Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999. Modification of the 
escape slides constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

    Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999, references Air Cruisers Service Bulletins 004-25-
37, Revision 2, dated May 29, 1996, and 004-25-42, dated September 
16, 1996, as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishment of the modification of the off-wing escape slides.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 4: 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

    (f) 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

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999, and 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated February 2, 
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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-232-132(B), dated June 2, 1999.

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on February 1, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 17, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33290 Filed 12-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U