[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 48 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11547-11549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5447]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 48 / Thursday, March 11, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 11547]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-201-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, and 
-114; A320-111, -211, -212, and -214; and A321-111, -112, and -211 
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 a one-time 
inspection to identify the serial number of the actuator of the thrust 
reverser blocker door, and corrective action if necessary. This action 
is necessary to prevent inadvertent deployment of the thrust reverser 
door, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-201-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. 2002-NM-201-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 Rohr, Inc., 850 Lagoon Drive, Chula Vista, California 
91910-2098. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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:

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.
     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 2002-NM-201-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. 2002-NM-201-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, during routine 
maintenance on the actuator of a thrust reverser blocker door, the 
chrome plating on the piston rod was found to extend up to the 
hydraulic feed holes. The actuator supplier discovered this quality 
concern and identified numerous suspect units during rework. The 
overextended chrome plating could contribute to decreased fatigue 
capability of the actuator and, in combination with other misrigging 
problems, could result in an inadvertent thrust reverser door 
deployment and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The actuator manufacturer has issued Rohr CFM56-5A/-5B Service 
Bulletin RA32078-112, Revision 1, dated February 6, 2002, which 
describes procedures for inspecting the actuator (part number 
D23090000-6) of the thrust reverser blocker door to identify the serial 
number, and replacing affected actuators with reworked actuators. 
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 2002-337(B) R1, dated July 24, 2002, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

[[Page 11548]]

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 service bulletin described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Difference Between Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive

    The applicability of the French airworthiness directive excludes 
airplanes on which the particular actuator has never been overhauled by 
TRW--Lucas Repair Center. U.S. operators are required to maintain 
records of only the date of overhaul--not the identity of the facility 
doing the overhaul. Therefore, this proposed AD would require 
inspection of all actuators having the particular part number, unless 
the maintenance records positively determine that TRW has never 
overhauled that actuator.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 551 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this proposed AD. It would take about 4 work hours per airplane to 
identify the actuator part numbers, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $143,260, or $260 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 
plan, gain access and close up, or perform 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 2002-NM-201-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319-111, -112, -113, and -114; A320-111, -
211, -212, and -214; and A321-111, -112, and -211 series airplanes; 
certificated in any category; powered by CFM56-5A or -5B engines 
having any thrust reverser blocker door actuator part number 
D23090000-6.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent deployment of the thrust reverser door, 
which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Repair History

    (a) If, from a review of the maintenance records, it can be 
positively determined that the thrust reverser blocker door actuator 
was never overhauled by ``TRW--Lucas Repair Center--Englewood, New 
Jersey,'' then no further work is required by this AD.

Inspection

    (b) Before the actuator of the thrust reverser blocker door 
accumulates 7,000 total flight cycles since its last overhaul, or 
within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Do a general visual inspection to identify 
the part number and serial number of the actuator, in accordance 
with Rohr CFM56-5A/-5B Service Bulletin RA32078-112, Revision 1, 
dated February 6, 2002. Look for affected serial numbers as listed 
in paragraph 1.A(1) of the service bulletin.

    Note 1: 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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.''

    (1) If no affected serial number is found, no more work is 
required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any affected serial number is found: Before further 
flight, replace the affected actuator with a reworked part in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (c) An inspection and rework done before the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with Rohr CFM56-5A/-5B Service Bulletin 
RA32078-112, dated October 22, 2001, is acceptable for compliance 
with the applicable requirements of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, an actuator of the thrust reverser blocker door 
having a part number and serial number listed in paragraph 1.A.(1) 
of Rohr CFM56-5A/-5B Service Bulletin RA32078-112, Revision 1, dated 
February 6, 2002, unless the actuator has been reworked in 
accordance with the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-337(B) R1, dated July 24, 2002.



[[Page 11549]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5447 Filed 3-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P