[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70568-70571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26797]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19762; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-168-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require an inspection of the spoiler servo control 
for certain part numbers and corrective action if necessary. This 
proposed AD is prompted by a report of a broken piston rod bearing of 
the spoiler servo control. We are proposing this AD to prevent breakage 
of the piston rod bearing, which could cause loss of the associated 
hydraulic system and spoiler extension, and could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 6, 2005.

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 in person 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. This docket 
number is FAA-2004-19762; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-168-AD.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets

[[Page 70569]]

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 comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19762; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-168-AD'' at the beginning 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 our 
docket website, 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 the 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 all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 
A321 series airplanes fitted with GOODRICH spoiler actuators part 
number (P/N) 31077-050, -060, -070, -110 or -112. The DGAC advises that 
an incorrect manufacturing process resulted in the seal groove radii of 
the piston rod bearing of the spoiler servo control being smaller than 
the drawing specification. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in reduced fatigue life of the piston rod bearing and consequent 
breakage, which could cause loss of the associated hydraulic system and 
spoiler extension, and could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-27-1158; and Service 
Bulletin A320-27-1159; both including Appendices 01 and 02; both dated 
May 26, 2004. The service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting 
the spoiler servo control for part numbers 31077-050, -060, -070, -110, 
and -112, and corrective action if necessary. The corrective action 
includes replacing the spoiler servo control with a new or modified 
spoiler servo control.
    The inspections are to be done at the following positions:
     For Model A318, A319, and A321 series airplanes: Positions 
1 through 5
     For Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus 
modification 26335 and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1115, dated 
October 27, 1997; and Revision 01, dated June 22, 1999; has not been 
done: Positions 1, 2, and 3
     For Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus 
modification 26335 or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1115, dated 
October 27, 1997; or Revision 01, dated June 22, 1999; has been done: 
Positions 1 through 5
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated 
the service information and issued French airworthiness directive F-
2004-122, dated July 21, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France.
    Airbus Service Bulletins A320-27-1158 and A320-27-1159, both dated 
May 26, 2004, refer to Goodrich Service Bulletin 31077-27-14, dated May 
24, 2004, as an additional source of service information for modifying 
the spoiler servo control.

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 
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. We have examined the DGAC's 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 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between 
the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

    Operators should note that Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1158; 
and Service Bulletin A320-27-1159; both dated May 26, 2004; specify to 
contact Goodrich if the part number of the servo control is missing. 
However, this proposed AD requires operators to replace the spoiler 
servo control with a new or modified spoiler servo control if operators 
are unable to determine the part number.
    Although the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletins A320-27-1158 and A320-27-1159 describe procedures for 
reporting certain information to the manufacturer, this proposed AD 
would not require that action.

Clarification of Inspection Type

    Airbus Service Bulletins A320-27-1158 and A320-27-1159 specify to 
do a ``visual inspection'' to determine the part number of the spoiler 
servo controls. This proposed AD would require a ``general visual 
inspection'' for these actions. We have included the definition for a 
general visual inspection in a note in this proposed AD.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive

    French airworthiness directive F-2004-122, dated July 21, 2004, has 
an effectivity of ``AIRBUS A318, A319,

[[Page 70570]]

A320 and A321 aircraft, all certified models, all serials numbers, 
fitted with GOODRICH spoiler actuators P/N 31077-050, -060, -070, -110 
or -112.'' However, because spoiler actuators are interchangeable on 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, airplanes not 
fitted with the spoiler actuators P/N 31077-050, -060, -070, -110 or 
``112 may have a spoiler actuator P/N 31077-050, -060, -070, -110 or 
``112 installed in the future by operators during normal maintenance. 
Therefore, the applicability of this proposed AD includes all Airbus 
Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. Both the proposed AD 
and French airworthiness directive require an inspection for the part 
number of the spoiler actuator (spoiler servo control).

Clarification of Actions in Proposed AD and the Service Bulletins

    Although the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-27-1158 do not specify procedures for Model A318 and A319 series 
airplanes, those models are specified in the Reason/Description/
Operational Consequences section of the service bulletin, which 
recommends inspecting positions 2, 3, 4, and 5 for those models. Those 
models are also specified in the note within the Effectivity, section 
1.A., of the service bulletin. This proposed AD would require 
inspections for Model A318 and A319 series airplanes at positions 2, 3, 
4, and 5; and corrective actions if necessary.
    Although the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-27-1159 do not specify procedures for Model A318 and A319 series 
airplanes, those models are specified in the Reason/Description/
Operational Consequences section of the service bulletin, which 
recommends inspecting position 1 for those models. Those models are 
also specified in the note within the Effectivity, section 1.A., of the 
service bulletin. This proposed AD would require inspections for Model 
A318 and A319 series airplanes at position 1 and corrective actions if 
necessary.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  Number of U.S.-
                            Action                                Work hours     Average labor       Cost per        registered          Fleet cost
                                                                                 rate per hour       airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................................................             3-5              $65        $195-$325              648      $126,360-$210,600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for this Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting 
safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
proposed AD.

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:

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-2004-19762; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
168-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by January 6, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 
A321 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of a broken piston rod 
bearing of the spoiler servo control. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent breakage of the piston rod bearing, which could cause loss 
of the associated hydraulic system and spoiler extension, and could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

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.

Phase 1 Inspection

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection for the part number of the spoiler servo 
control at the applicable locations specified in Table 1 of this AD, 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1158, including 
Appendices 01 and 02, dated May 26, 2004.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure or 
irregularity. This level of

[[Page 70571]]

inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise 
specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all 
surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made 
under normal 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.''


           Table 1.--Phase 1 Spoiler Servo Control Inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Inspect spoiler servo controls
           For Airbus model--                          at--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A318 and A319 series airplanes.........  Positions 2, 3, 4, and 5.
A320 series airplanes..................  Position 2.
A321 series airplanes..................  Positions 2, 3, and 4.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phase 2 Inspection

    (g) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection for the part number of the spoiler servo 
control at the applicable locations specified in Table 2 of this AD, 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1159, including 
Appendix 01 and 02, dated May 26, 2004.

           Table 2.--Phase 2 Spoiler Servo Control Inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Inspect spoiler servo
              For Airbus model--                     controls at--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A318 and A319 series airplanes...............  Position 1.
A320 series airplanes on which Airbus          Positions 1 and 3.
 modification 26335 and Airbus Service
 Bulletin A320-27-1115, dated October 27,
 1997; and Revision 01, dated June 22, 1999;
 has not been done.
A320 series airplanes on which Airbus          Positions 1, 3, 4, and 5.
 modification 26335 or Airbus Service
 Bulletin A320-27-1115, dated October 27,
 1997; or Revision 01, dated June 22, 1999;
 has been done.
A321 series airplanes........................  Positions 1 and 5.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corrective Action

    (h) If, during any inspection specified in paragraph (f) or (g) 
of this AD, part number (P/N) 31077-050, -060, -070, -110, or -112 
is found or if unable to determine the P/N, before further flight, 
replace the spoiler servo control with a new or modified spoiler 
servo control, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1158; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1159; both including 
Appendices 01 and 02; both dated May 26, 2004; as applicable.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletins A320-27-1158 and A320-27-1159 
refer to Goodrich Service Bulletin 31077-27-14, dated May 24, 2004, 
as an additional source of service information for modifying the 
spoiler servo control.

Reporting Not Required

    (i) Although Airbus Service Bulletins A320-27-1158 and A320-27-
1159 specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this 
AD does not include that requirement.

Parts Installation

    (j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
spoiler servo control, P/N 31077-050, -060, -070, -110, or -112, on 
any airplane, unless it has been modified according to Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-27-1158; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1159; both including Appendices 01 and 02; both dated May 26, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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

    (l) French airworthiness directive F-2004-122, dated July 21, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 26, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26797 Filed 12-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P