[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12596-12598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5968]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-224-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -232 
and -233 Series Airplanes and Model A321-211, -231 and -232 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 A320-211, -
212, -214, -232 and -233 series airplanes and Model A321-211, -231 and 
-232 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
ultrasonic inspection of certain floor crossbeams to determine if they 
are of nominal thickness; and a structural modification to reinforce 
any crossbeam that is not of nominal thickness. This action is 
necessary to prevent reduced structural integrity of the floor in the 
event of rapid depressurization or rapid vertical acceleration. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 16, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-224-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-224-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, 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.
     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-224-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-224-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 A320-211, -212, -
214, -232 and -233 series airplanes and Model A321-211, -231 and -232 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that an Airbus quality check 
revealed that, due to a process discrepancy during production, certain 
floor structural crossbeams were manufactured that were not of nominal 
thickness and were installed in certain airplanes before the 
discrepancy was discovered. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in reduced

[[Page 12597]]

structural integrity of the floor in the event of rapid 
depressurization or rapid vertical acceleration.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-53A1162, including Appendix 
01 and Appendix 02, dated June 25, 2002, which describes procedures for 
a one-time ultrasonic inspection of certain floor crossbeams for 
nominal thickness. Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A320-
53A1163, dated June 25, 2002, which describes procedures for 
reinforcement of crossbeams found not at nominal thickness. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 2002-418(B), on August 7, 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 
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 service bulletins described 
previously, except as described below.

Difference Between Proposed Rule and Referenced Service Bulletins

    Operators should note that, although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
53A1162, including Appendix 01 and Appendix 02, dated June 25, 2002, 
describes procedures for submitting inspection results to the 
manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require that action.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 25 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    The ultrasonic inspection required by this proposed AD would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,625, or $65 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 2002-NM-224-AD.

    Applicability: This AD applies to the airplanes specified in 
Table 1 of this AD; certificated in any category.

                                 Table 1
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                                  Manufacturer's
           For model              Serial  Number       Except for MSN
                                      (MSN)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A320-211, -212, -214, -232,     1516 to 1754       1624, 1655, 1665,
 and -233 series airplanes.      inclusive.         1676, 1694, 1697,
                                                    1708, 1730, 1732 and
                                                    1736
A321-211, -231 and -232 series  1572 to 1711       1675 and 1681
 airplanes.                      inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of the floor in the 
event of rapid depressurization or rapid vertical acceleration, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 450 flight hours from the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time ultrasonic inspection of the specified floor 
crossbeams for nominal thickness, as defined in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-53A1162, including Appendix 01 and Appendix 02, as 
applicable, dated June 25, 2002. Do the inspection per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the Service Bulletin.
    (1) If both floor crossbeams are found to be at the nominal 
thickness, no further action is required by this AD.

[[Page 12598]]

    (2) If any floor crossbeam is found to not be at the nominal 
thickness, within 50 flight hours after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, reinforce the crossbeam in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
53A1163, dated June 25, 2002, as applicable.

Difference Between Proposed Rule and Referenced Service Bulletins

    (b) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-418(B), dated August 7, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 10, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5968 Filed 3-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P