[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60098-60100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22565]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19264; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-90-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require modification of certain auxiliary power unit 
(APU) alternating current (AC) generators. This proposed AD is prompted 
by a report of an explosion in the APU compartment, which blew open the 
compartment doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent oil vapor 
leakage from the APU AC generator, which, when combined with an 
electric arc at the electrical receptacle, could result in a fire or 
explosion in the APU compartment during flight.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 22, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on 
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your

[[Page 60099]]

comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. 
FAA-2004-19264; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-90-AD'' in the subject 
line of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, one operator reported an 
explosion in the auxiliary power unit (APU) compartment when passengers 
were disembarking, which blew open the compartment doors. Analysis 
revealed that, due to vibrations in the APU alternating current (AC) 
generators, the retaining bolts of the electrical receptacle had 
loosened, causing oil vapor leakage. The DGAC also advises that 
additional reports were received of loose retaining bolts found during 
maintenance inspections. Oil vapor leakage, combined with an electric 
arc at the electrical receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion 
in the APU compartment during flight.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106, dated May 
26, 2003 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes). The service 
bulletin describes procedures for modification of certain APU AC 
generators. The modification includes replacing the retaining bolts of 
the electrical receptacle with new, improved retaining bolts, locking 
the new bolts with tie wire; installing a new nameplate; and performing 
an operational test. The service bulletin also specifies modifying the 
APU AC generator, prior or concurrently with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-24-1082, Revision 01, dated March 15, 1996 (for Model A320 and 
A321 series airplanes). Accomplishing the actions specified in the 
Airbus service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition.
    The DGAC mandated the Airbus service information and issued French 
airworthiness directive F-2004-019, dated February 4, 2004, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    Service Bulletin A320-24-1106 refers to Hamilton Sundstrand Service 
Bulletin 90EGS01AG-24-18, dated February 13, 2003, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishment of the modification.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. We have examined the DGACs findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
modification of certain APU AC generators. The proposed AD would 
require you to use the Airbus service information described previously 
to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 537 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    For airplanes listed in Service Bulletin A320-24-1106: The proposed 
modification would take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be free of 
charge. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed 
modification for U.S. operators is $174,525, or $325 per airplane.
    For airplanes listed in Service Bulletin A320-24-1082: The 
concurrent modification, if done, would take about 5 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
would be free of charge. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of 
the proposed modification for U.S. operators is $174,525, or $325 per 
airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 60100]]

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2004-19264; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
90-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by November 22, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped 
with any Hamilton Sundstrand Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) alternating 
current (AC) generator having part number 5906732, 5909006, or 
5910047; with up to amendment 17 included; on which Airbus 
Modification 32614 has not been done.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of an explosion in the APU 
compartment which blew open the compartment doors. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent oil vapor leakage from the APU AC generator, 
which, when combined with an electric arc at the electrical 
receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion in the APU 
compartment during flight.
    Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions 
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Modification

    (f) For all airplanes: Within 20 months after the effective date 
of this AD, modify the APU AC generator by doing all the actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-24-1106, dated May 26, 2003. Do the actions in 
accordance with the service bulletin.

Concurrent Actions

    (g) For Model A320 and A321 series airplanes: Prior to or 
concurrently with accomplishing the modification required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD, do the modification of the APU AC 
generator specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1082, 
Revision 01, dated March 15, 1996; by doing all the actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions in accordance with the 
service bulletin. Prior accomplishment of the modification in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1082, dated 
September 30, 1994, meets the requirements of this paragraph.

Additional Source of Service Information

    Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106 refers to Hamilton 
Sundstrand Service Bulletin 90EGS01AG-24-18, dated February 13, 
2003, as an additional source of service information for 
accomplishment of the modification required by paragraph (f) of this 
AD.

Part Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an APU AC generator having a part number listed in the old part 
number column specified in Paragraph 1.L. of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-24-1106, dated May 26, 2003; on any airplane, unless that 
generator has been modified in accordance with paragraphs (f) and 
(g) of this AD, as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, International Branch, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) French airworthiness directive F-2004-019, dated February 4, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 30, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22565 Filed 10-6-04; 8:45 am]
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