[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4255-4257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1908]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-63-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 a 
certain transformer rectifier unit (TRU) with a certain new TRU. This 
action is necessary to prevent ignition of the input filter capacitors 
of the TRU in position 2 of the avionics compartment, which could 
potentially result in smoke in the cockpit. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-63-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2003-NM-63-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 or 2000 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 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.

[[Page 4256]]

     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 2003-NM-63-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. 2003-NM-63-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 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 it has received reports of 
smoke and/or smoke smells in the cockpit. Investigation revealed that 
ignition of the input filter capacitors of the transformer rectifier 
unit (TRU) in position 2 of the avionics compartment was the origin of 
the smoke generation. This condition, if not corrected, could 
potentially result in smoke in the cockpit.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02, dated 
February 11, 2003, which describes procedures for replacement of a 
certain TRU with a certain new TRU. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2002-554(B), 
dated November 13, 2002, to ensure 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 
Sec. 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 service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 553 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 actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the airplane manufacture at no cost to the operators. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $35,945, or $65 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 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 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: Docket 2003-NM-63-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 30737 has been accomplished in production (reference 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02, dated February 
11, 2003, in service):
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent ignition of the input filter capacitors of the 
transformer rectifier unit (TRU) in position 2 of the avionics 
compartment, which could potentially result in smoke in the cockpit, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total flight hours, or 
within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, replace the TRU, part number Y005-2, with a new TRU, 
part number Y005-3, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02, 
dated February 11, 2003.

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    (b) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, dated March 5, 2002; or 
Revision 1, dated July 26, 2002; are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD no person shall install 
a TRU, part number Y005-2, within position 2 of the avionics 
compartment on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-544(B), dated November 13, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1908 Filed 1-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P