[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37017-37019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14311]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-331-AD; Amendment 39-11769; AD 2000-11-21]
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 a one-time general visual inspection to 
determine the part number and serial number of the spoiler 
servocontrol, and corrective action, if necessary. 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 failure of the spoiler servocontrol 
piston rod, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective July 18, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director

[[Page 37018]]

of the Federal Register as of July 18, 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 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 
December 22, 1999 (64 FR 71696). That action proposed to require a one-
time general visual inspection to determine the part number and serial 
number of the spoiler servocontrol, and corrective action, if 
necessary.

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.
    The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, on behalf of two of 
its members, states that both members support the intent of the 
proposed AD. One member is already accomplishing the relevant service 
bulletin. The other member is carrying out the one-time inspection of 
the affected aircraft to ensure the correct spoiler servocontrols are 
installed on their aircraft.

Request to Revise the Compliance Time for the Corrective Actions

    One commenter requests that the proposed AD be revised to allow 
more flexibility in accomplishing the corrective actions specified in 
the proposal. The commenter states that there will be times when 
replacement spoiler servos are unavailable due to the large number of 
spoiler servocontrol units that are affected in the Airbus fleet. With 
this in mind, the commenter suggests revising paragraph (a) of the 
proposed AD to read as follows:

    ``At the time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), 
accomplish the inspection and corrective action per SB A320-27-1127 
or A320-27-1126 as applicable.''

    The FAA does not concur. Discussions with the manufacturer have not 
identified a supply problem with the spoiler servocontrols. 
Additionally, sufficient time has elapsed since the issuance of the 
service bulletins and notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for 
operators to make the necessary planning and logistical supply 
arrangements in advance in order to comply with this amendment. 
Therefore, no change has been made to the final rule.

Request to Revise the Compliance Time for the Inspection

    One commenter requests that the proposed AD be revised to require 
the one-time general visual inspection to determine the part number and 
serial number of the spoiler servocontrol to be accomplished within 18 
months for Airbus Model A319 series airplanes. The commenter states 
that, the proposed AD specifies a fourteen times differential in the 
required compliance threshold (i.e., 2 months versus 28 months) between 
Airbus Model A320 and A319 series airplanes. The commenter questions 
this differential because Model A320 series airplanes have been in 
service longer with an accumulated average of 17,306 total flight hours 
than the Model A319 series airplanes, which have an accumulated average 
of approximately 4,014 total flight hours. Furthermore, the commenter 
states that there are approximately 2.3 times more Model A320 series 
airplanes in service as Model A319 and A321 series airplanes.
    The FAA does not concur. Data provided by the manufacturer 
indicates that an autoland failure of a servocontrol on a Model A319 or 
A321 series airplane would result in a greater maximum transient 
deviation from the runway centerline and maximum transient bank angle 
without triggering the excessive deviation warning. Considering this 
factor, the FAA has determined that the compliance times specified in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of the proposed AD represent the maximum 
time in which the affected airplanes could continue to operate without 
compromising safety. Therefore, no change has been made to the final 
rule.

Explanation of Change to the Proposal

    The FAA notes that it is necessary to clarify that the general 
visual inspection required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD may be 
accomplished in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1126, 
dated April 26, 1999, or Revision 01, dated October 6, 1999. This 
clarification provides credit for those operators that may have 
previously accomplished the required action in accordance with that 
service bulletin.

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 210 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $25,200, or $120 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the modification, it 
will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts would be free of 
charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification is 
estimated to be $240 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 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

[[Page 37019]]

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:

2000-11-21  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11769. Docket 99-NM-331-
AD.
    Applicability: The following models, certificated in any 
category, excluding those on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1126, dated April 26, 1999 (for Model A319 and 321 series 
airplanes); or A320-27-1127, dated April 26, 1999, or Revision 01, 
dated October 6, 1999 (for Model A320 series airplanes); has been 
accomplished:
     Model A319 series airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 0546 
through 0972 inclusive;
     Model A320 series airplanes, S/N 0002 through 0842 
inclusive, 0846 through 0859 inclusive, 0865, 0866, and 0872 through 
0960 inclusive; and
     Model A321 series airplanes, S/N 0364 through 0974 
inclusive.

    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 (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 failure of the servocontrol piston rod, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) At the applicable time specified by paragraph (a)(1) or 
(a)(2) of this AD: Perform a general visual inspection to determine 
the part number and serial number for the spoiler servocontrols, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1126, April 26, 
1999, or Revision 01, dated October 6, 1999 (for Model A319 and A321 
series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1127, dated 
April 26, 1999, or Revision 01, dated October 6, 1999 (for Model 
A320 series airplanes); as applicable. If the part number and serial 
number are identified in paragraph 2.B.(1)(b) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service bulletin, prior to further 
flight, perform applicable corrective actions (including removal, 
reidentification of the servocontrol, and replacement of the 
servocontrol with a modified part) as specified in the applicable 
service bulletin.
    (1) For Model A319 and A321 series airplanes: Inspect within 2 
months after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For Model A320 series airplanes: Inspect within 28 months 
after the effective date of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a spoiler servocontrol having part number 31077-050, 
31077-060, or 31077-110; and S/N 0001 to 3499, except those serial 
numbers excluded in paragraph 2.B.(1)(b)1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1126, dated April 
26, 1999, or Revision 01, dated October 6, 1999; unless that 
servocontrol has been inspected, and corrective actions have been 
performed, in accordance with the requirements of this AD.

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 
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

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin
    A320-27-1126, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated April 26, 
1999; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1126, Revision 01 including 
Appendices 01 and 02, dated October 6, 1999; Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-27-1127, including Appendices 01 and 02, dated April 26, 1999; 
or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1127, Revision 01 including 
Appendices 01 and 02, dated October 6, 1999; as applicable. 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 1999-362-139(B), dated September 8, 1999.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 1, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14311 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
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