[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38818-38819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14530]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-187-AD; Amendment 39-13688; AD 2004-13-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 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 and A320 series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive detailed inspections to detect cracks in the keel 
beam side panels, and repair if necessary. Accomplishment of the repair 
ends the repetitive inspections for that repaired area. This action is 
necessary to detect and correct fatigue cracks on the side panels of 
the keel beams, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective August 3, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 3, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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 National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 and A320 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2004 
(69 FR 17103). That action proposed to require repetitive detailed 
inspections to detect cracks in the keel beam side panels, and repair 
if necessary. Accomplishment of the repair ends the repetitive 
inspections for that repaired area.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Two commenters request that the notice of proposed rulemaking 
action (NPRM) be revised to reference the latest service bulletin 
(i.e., Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1060, Revision 01, dated April 
2, 2004). The commenters state that Revision 01 only changes the 
compliance to mandatory.
    The FAA agrees. Since issuance of the NPRM, the Direction 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, classified Revision 01 of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-53-1060 as mandatory. No additional work is 
required for airplanes modified by the original issue of the service 
bulletin (referenced in the NPRM as the appropriate source of service 
information). Therefore, we have revised the final rule to reference 
Revision 01 of the service bulletin as the appropriate source of 
service information for accomplishing the required actions and added a 
new paragraph to give credit to operators that accomplished the 
original issue of the service bulletin before the effective date of 
this AD.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    We estimates that 400 Model A319 and A320 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 
13 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$338,000, or $845 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 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

0
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:

[[Page 38819]]

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-13-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-13688. Docket 2003-NM-187-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 30355 has been incorporated in production.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct fatigue cracks on the side panels of the 
keel beams, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:

Service Bulletin

    (a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1060, 
Revision 01, dated April 2, 2004.

Initial Inspection

    (b) Perform a detailed inspection to detect cracks in the keel 
beam side panels, in accordance with the service bulletin, at the 
time specified in either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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 a 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and 
elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    (1) For airplanes that have not been inspected per Maintenance 
Review Board (MRB) task 53-31-42: Inspect at the later of the times 
specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Prior to the accumulation of 24,200 total flight cycles, or 
48,400 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) Within 3,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have been inspected per MRB task 53-31-
42: Inspect at the later of the times specified in paragraph 
(b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Within 4,300 flight cycles or 9,600 flight hours after the 
last inspection per MRB task 53-31-42, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) Within 3,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD.

Repetitive Inspections

    (c) Repeat the detailed inspection required by paragraph (b) of 
this AD at intervals not to exceed 4,300 flight cycles or 9,600 
flight hours, whichever occurs first.

Corrective Actions

    (d) If any crack is found in ``Area A'' during any inspection 
required by this AD, before further flight, repair the affected area 
in accordance with the service bulletin. Once a repair has been 
accomplished to ``Area A,'' the repetitive inspections of ``Area A'' 
required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD are no longer required 
for that side of the keel beam.
    (e) If any crack is found in ``Area B'' during any inspection 
required by this AD, before further flight, repair the affected 
structure per a method approved by either the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the 
Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated 
agent).

Credit for Accomplishing Original Issue of Service Bulletin

    (f) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1060, dated June 19, 2002, are 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable requirements of this 
AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (h) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1060, 
Revision 01, dated April 2, 2004. 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, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2003-146(B), dated April 16, 2003 (a 
correction was issued May 14, 2003).

Effective Date

    (i) This amendment becomes effective on August 3, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14530 Filed 6-28-04; 8:45 am]
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