[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 491-492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-132-AD; Amendment 39-12586; AD 2001-26-20]
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 inspection of the forward and aft 
lower bogies of the left- and right-hand sliding windows of the 
flightcrew compartment for the presence of a lock pin. If the lock pin 
is missing, this amendment requires corrective action. This action is 
necessary to prevent the inability of the flightcrew to open the left- 
or right-hand sliding window for evacuation in an emergency, due to a 
window jamming in the closed position. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 8, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 8, 2002.

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: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2141; 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 
October 26, 2001 (66 FR 54173). That action proposed to require a one-
time inspection of the forward and aft lower bogies of the left- and 
right-hand sliding windows of the flightcrew compartment for the 
presence of a lock pin. If the lock pin is missing, that action also 
proposed to require corrective action.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request To Allow Credit for Previously Accomplished Work

    The manufacturer requests that the FAA give credit for the 
inspection and corrective actions accomplished prior to the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with the original issue of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-56-1007, dated January 21, 2000.
    The FAA concurs. The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has approved 
this service bulletin for the accomplishment of the inspection and 
corrective actions. The FAA finds that the procedures in the original 
issue of the service bulletin are identical to those in Revision 01 of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1007, dated February 9, 2001 (which is 
listed as the appropriate source of service information for 
accomplishment of the actions in this AD). Therefore, we have added a 
new Note 3 in this final rule to give credit to operators that may have 
accomplished the required actions prior to the effective date of this 
AD in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin. We 
have renumbered the succeeding notes accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
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 77 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,620, or $60 
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. 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 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

[[Page 492]]

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:

2001-26-20  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12586. Docket 2001-NM-
132-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-56-1007, Revision 01, dated February 9, 2001.

    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 the inability of the flightcrew to open the left- or 
right-hand sliding window for evacuation in an emergency, due to a 
window jamming in the closed position, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a one-time detailed visual inspection of the forward and aft lower 
bogie of the left-hand and right-hand sliding windows to check for 
the presence of a lock pin, in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-56-1007, Revision 01, dated February 9, 2001.

    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.''

Corrective Action

    (b) If the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
reveals that a lock pin is missing: Prior to further flight, perform 
the action required by either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Install a new bogie equipped with a lock pin, in accordance 
with paragraph C.(1) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-56-1007, Revision 01, dated February 9, 2001, 
or
    (2) Perform a temporary repair in accordance with paragraph 
C.(2) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-56-1007, Revision 01, dated February 9, 2001. Within 500 flight 
hours of the temporary repair, install a new bogie equipped with a 
lock pin, in accordance with paragraph C.(1) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.

    Note 3: Inspection and corrective actions accomplished prior to 
the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-56-1007, dated January 21, 2000, is considered 
acceptable for compliance 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, 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-56-1007, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated 
February 9, 2001. 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 2000-518-157(B), dated December 13, 2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 26, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-9 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
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