[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56381-56383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19232]



[[Page 56381]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22528; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-125-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 
Series Airplanes; A320-111 Airplanes; A320-200 Series Airplanes; and 
A321-100 and A321-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (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 A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes; A320-
111 airplanes; A320-200 series airplanes; and A321-100 and A321-200 
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection 
of the horizontal hinge pin of the 103VU electrical panel in the 
avionics compartment to determine if the hinge pin can move out of the 
hinge, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. 
This proposed AD results from a report indicating that electrical wire 
damage was found in the 103VU electrical panel due to contact between 
the hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent contact between the horizontal hinge pin 
and the adjacent electrical wire harness, which could result in damage 
to electrical wires, and consequent arcing and/or failure of associated 
systems.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 27, 
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.
     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.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.

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

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22528; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-125-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 received 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may 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 Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale 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 A318-100 and A319-100 
series airplanes; A320-111 airplanes; A320-200 series airplanes; and 
A321-100 and A321-200 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that 
electrical wire damage was found in the 103VU electrical panel, which 
is located in the avionics compartment. Investigation revealed contact 
between the horizontal hinge pin and an adjacent electrical wire 
harness, due to migration of the hinge pin. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in damage to electrical wires, and consequent 
arcing and/or failure of associated systems.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) 25A1440, dated February 
15, 2005. The AOT describes procedures for inspecting the 103VU 
electrical panel horizontal hinge pin to determine if the pin can move 
out of the hinge. If there is no hinge movement, the AOT states that no 
further action is required. If there is movement, the AOT states that 
operators should do the related investigative action of inspecting for 
damage to the adjacent electrical harness, and do all necessary 
corrective actions. The corrective actions include reworking the hinge, 
and repairing any damage to the electrical harness. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the AOT and issued 
French airworthiness directive F-2005-052 R1, dated April 13, 2005, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

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 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 issuing this AD to require accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information described previously.

[[Page 56382]]

Clarification of Inspection Language

    The service bulletin and the French airworthiness directive request 
that operators ``inspect'' for hinge pin movement. This proposed AD 
defines that inspection as a ``general visual inspection.'' This 
inspection is defined in Note 1 of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                        Number of
                                                Average                   Cost per        U.S.-
            Action              Work hours    labor rate      Parts       airplane     registered    Fleet cost
                                               per hour                                 airplanes
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Inspection...................            1           $65   None.......          $65           696       $45,240
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. 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.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA 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 
rulemaking action.

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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-22528; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
125-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 
27, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111 and -112; A319-111, 
-112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-111, -211, -212, 
-214, -231, -232, and -233; and A321-111, -112, -131, -211 and -231 
airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers (S/Ns) 1 
through 2396 inclusive, except S/Ns 2104, 2143, 2248, 2270, 2347, 
2366, 2372, 2376, 2384, 2386, 2388, 2390, 2391, 2393, and 2395.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that electrical 
wire damage was found in the 103VU electrical panel due to contact 
between the hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent contact between the horizontal 
hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness, which could 
result in damage to electrical wires, and consequent arcing and/or 
failure of associated systems.

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.

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do a general visual inspection of the horizontal hinge pin of the 
103VU electrical panel in the avionics compartment to determine if 
the pin can move out of the hinge, and do any applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, including repair of any 
damaged electrical wires, before further flight. Do all the actions 
in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex 25A1440, dated 
February 15, 2005.


    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 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 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.''

No Reporting

    (g) Although All Operators Telex 25A1440, dated February 15, 
2005, specifies that operators should send the results of 
inspections to the manufacturer, that action is not required by this 
AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-052 R1, dated April 
13, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.


[[Page 56383]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 16, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19232 Filed 9-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P