[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 41 (Friday, March 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9392-9394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4719]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-252-AD; Amendment 39-12667; AD 2002-04-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 Series Airplanes and 
A320-200 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 series airplanes and A320-200 
series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect loose 
or missing rivets in specified areas of the door frames of the overwing 
emergency exits and corrective action, if necessary. This AD also 
requires measurement of the grip length of all rivets in the specified 
areas and corrective action, if necessary, which terminates the 
repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information from a foreign airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and 
correct loose or missing rivets or discrepant rivets, which could lead 
to reduced structural integrity of the overwing emergency exit door 
frames. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective April 5, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 5, 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: 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: 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 Model A319 series 
airplanes and A320-200 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on November 23, 2001 (66 FR 58682). That action proposed to 
require repetitive inspections to detect loose or missing rivets in 
specified areas of the door frames of the overwing emergency exits and 
corrective action, if necessary. That action also proposed to require 
measurement of the grip length of all rivets in the specified areas and 
corrective action, if necessary, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 168 Model A319 and A320-200 series 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 this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $10,080, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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

[[Page 9393]]

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 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:

2002-04-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12667. Docket 2001-NM-
252-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319 series airplanes and A320-200 series 
airplanes, as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1147, dated 
September 22, 2000; 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 (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 detect and correct loose, missing, or discrepant rivets in 
specified areas of the door frames of the overwing emergency exits, 
which could lead to reduced structural integrity of the door frames, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection and Measurement

    (a) Within 3,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD: Conduct a detailed visual inspection of the specified areas of 
the door frames of the overwing emergency exits for loose or missing 
rivets, in accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions 
and Figure 5 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1147, dated 
September 22, 2000. If no loose or missing rivets are found, repeat 
the detailed visual inspection and the measurement at intervals not 
to exceed 3,500 flight cycles until the requirements of paragraph 
(d) have been accomplished.

    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 there are loose or missing rivets: Prior to further 
flight, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (b)(1) or 
(b)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Measure the grip length of all rivets in the specified areas 
in which the loose or missing rivets were detected and perform 
corrective action (e.g., inspecting rivet holes for cracks, opening 
up rivet holes, repairing cracks at rivet holes, and installing new 
rivets) as applicable, in accordance with Part C of the 
Accomplishment Instructions and Figure 5 of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-53-1147, dated September 22, 2000, except as specified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD. Repeat the detailed visual inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 
3,500 flight cycles until the requirements of paragraph (d) have 
been accomplished.
    (2) Measure the grip length of all rivets in all specified areas 
and perform corrective action (e.g., inspecting rivet holes for 
cracks, opening up rivet holes, repairing cracks at rivet holes, and 
installing new rivets) as applicable, in accordance with Part C of 
the Accomplishment Instructions and Figure 5 of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-53-1147, dated September 22, 2000, except as specified 
in paragraph (c) of this AD.
    (c) If Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1147, dated September 22, 
2000, recommends contacting the manufacturer for instructions 
concerning certain repairs, perform those repairs in accordance with 
a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, or by the Direction Generale de 
l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) or its delegated agent. For a repair method 
to be approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, as 
required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.

Terminating Action

    (d) Prior to the accumulation of 24,000 total flight cycles or 
within 3,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Accomplish the requirements of paragraph 
(b)(2) of this AD. Accomplishment of paragraph (b)(2) of this AD 
constitutes terminating action for the purpose of this AD.

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. 
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

    (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-
1147, dated September 22, 2000. 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

[[Page 9394]]

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 2001-241(B), dated June 27, 2001.

Effective Date

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on April 5, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 21, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-4719 Filed 2-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U