[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48993-48995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23843]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-255-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 adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of 
the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply with a 
modified valve. This action is necessary to prevent faulty operation of 
the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply, which could 
prevent oxygen from being supplied to the airplane crew when needed, 
such as in the event of smoke in the cabin or rapid depressurization of 
the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-255-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-255-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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

[[Page 48994]]

considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals 
contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments 
received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-255-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. 2001-NM-255-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 certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that the low-pressure solenoid valve for 
the crew oxygen supply may not operate correctly. In one reported 
incident, the oxygen supply for the airplane crew was found to be 
inoperative following an in-flight test. Analysis of certain valves 
revealed a discrepancy between the position of the valve and the switch 
for the crew oxygen supply. In some conditions, the solenoid valve 
would not change position (i.e., open or close) when the push-button 
switch on the cockpit overhead panel was pressed. Such faulty operation 
of the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply, if not 
corrected, could prevent oxygen from being supplied to the airplane 
crew when needed, such as in the event of smoke in the cabin or rapid 
depressurization of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A320-35-1003, Revision 1, dated 
January 28, 1993; and A320-35-1016, dated July 31, 1996. Both service 
bulletins describe procedures for replacement of the existing low-
pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply with a modified 
valve. The modified valves incorporate a new electronic card. Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, refers to EROS Service 
Bulletin DVE90-35-40, dated September 10, 1991, and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-35-1016 refers to EROS Service Bulletin DVE90-35-49, 
dated January 31, 1995, as the appropriate sources of service 
information for accomplishment of the modification of the valve.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletins 
A320-35-1003, Revision 1, and A320-35-1016 is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these 
service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness 
directive 2001-237(B) R1, dated July 25, 2001, 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 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 applicable Airbus service bulletins 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 111 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,660, 
or $60 per airplane.
    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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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

[[Page 48995]]

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 Industrie: Docket 2001-NM-255-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; on 
which Modification 21946 (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003) or 
21999 has not been accomplished; certificated in any category.

    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 faulty operation of the low-pressure solenoid valve 
for the oxygen supply, which could prevent oxygen from being 
supplied to the airplane crew when needed, such as in the event of 
smoke in the cabin or rapid depressurization of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the low-pressure solenoid valve, part number (P/N) DVE90-04, 
for the crew oxygen supply with a modified valve, P/N DVE90-05 or 
DVE90-06, as applicable. Do the replacement according to Airbus 
Service Bulletins A320-35-1003, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1993; 
or A320-35-1016, dated July 31, 1996; as applicable.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, refers 
to EROS Service Bulletin DVE90-35-40, dated September 10, 1991, as 
the appropriate source of service information for modifying the low-
pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply.


    Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1016 refers to EROS 
Service Bulletin DVE90-35-49, dated January 31, 1995, as the 
appropriate source of service information for modifying the low-
pressure solenoid valve for the oxygen supply.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a low-pressure oxygen valve, part number DVE90-04, on any airplane.

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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

    (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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-237(B) R1, dated July 25, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 18, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-23843 Filed 9-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U