[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68384-68386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22443]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22919; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-087-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-100, A320-200, 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 A319-100, A320-200, A321-100, and A321-200 
series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections 
for corrosion in the inside and outside lower walls of each type A, D, 
E, and F lavatory wall that has at least one wall-mounted cabin 
attendant seat, and related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary. The repetitive inspections may be terminated by repairing 
the wall with composite material, or replacing the entire wall with a 
new wall made of composite material. This proposed AD results from 
reports of corrosion in the lower part of the lavatory walls due to 
water ingress. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion 
and damage on the lower part of the lavatory walls, which could 
compromise the structural integrity of the cabin attendant seat 
attachments, and cause injury to the cabin attendants during a crash 
landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 12, 
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-2005-22919; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2005-NM-087-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 under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22919; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-087-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 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 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.

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 Docket Management System 
(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 A319-100, A320-200, 
A321-100, and A321-200 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that an 
operator reported cracks in the lavatory floor pans of the affected 
airplanes in its fleet. Further investigation showed that the cracks 
resulted from corrosion in the lower part of the lavatory wall, 
possibly caused by liquid that entered during cleaning and operation, 
and by rain entering through the main entry door. Extensive corrosion 
of the lower part of the lavatory wall could compromise the structural 
integrity of the cabin attendant seat (CAS) attachments. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in injury to the cabin 
attendants during a crash landing.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1365, dated February 18, 
2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing a repetitive 
detailed visual inspection for corrosion

[[Page 68385]]

and damage in the inside and outside lower walls of each type A, D, E, 
and F lavatory wall that has at least one wall-mounted CAS. The service 
bulletin also describes procedures for related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary, including any supporting non-
destructive testing. The related investigative and corrective actions 
are as follows:
    If no corrosion is detected, the service bulletin describes 
procedures for repeating the inspection. If any corrosion or damage is 
detected during any inspection that does not exceed the allowable 
limits specified in the service bulletin, the service bulletin gives 
procedures for cleaning the area with cleaning agent, protecting 
against further corrosion, operating the CAS within specified limits, 
repeating the inspection, and, within a specified amount of time, 
repairing the corroded wall.
    If any corrosion or damage is detected during any inspection that 
does exceed the allowable limits specified in the service bulletin, the 
service bulletin gives procedures for repairing the wall within a 
specified amount of time, and specifies not to use the affected CAS 
until the wall is repaired.
    The repair depends on the extent of damage and includes doing one 
of the following, as applicable:
     Installing a temporary aluminum repair for the existing 
aluminum lavatory wall in accordance with procedures in the service 
bulletin;
     Repairing the lower attachments of the existing aluminum 
lavatory walls in accordance with the lavatory component maintenance 
manual (CMM);
     Repairing the existing aluminum lavatory wall with 
composite material in accordance with the lavatory CMM (the service 
bulletin specifies that no further action is necessary after this 
repair); or
     Replacing the existing aluminum lavatory wall with a 
composite wall in accordance with the lavatory CMM, or in accordance 
with additional Airbus service bulletins described below, as 
applicable. (The service bulletin specifies that no further action is 
necessary after this repair).
    Doing the temporary aluminum repair in accordance with the service 
bulletin ends the repetitive inspections in the service bulletin. 
However, the service bulletin specifies that operators who do the 
temporary aluminum repair should, within 18 months, repair the wall 
with composite material, or permanently replace the aluminum wall with 
a new wall made of composite material. For lavatories that have the 
repair to the lower attachments of the aluminum lavatory wall in 
accordance with the lavatory CMM, the service bulletin specifies that 
operators repeat the detailed visual inspection until the aluminum wall 
has the temporary aluminum repair, or until it is repaired with 
composite material, or until it is permanently replaced with a new wall 
made of composite material.
    The service bulletin notes that the temporary aluminum repair and 
the repair to the lower attachments of the aluminum lavatory walls can 
each be done only one time. If any inspection shows corrosion damage 
after the lower attachments are repaired, the service bulletin states 
that the wall must have the temporary aluminum repair, or the composite 
repair, or be replaced with a new wall made of composite material; as 
applicable to the extent of damage.
    Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1289, Revision 01, 
dated October 29, 2003 (for lavatory A); and Service Bulletin A320-25-
1357, dated July 19, 2004 (for lavatory F). These service bulletins 
describe procedures for replacing the existing aluminum lavatory wall 
for lavatory types A and F respectively, with a wall made of composite 
material.
    The compliance times for doing the inspections and related 
investigative and corrective actions described above are summarized in 
Figure 1 Sheet 1 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1365, dated 
February 18, 2005. The intervals for repeating the detailed inspection 
are from 15 months to 18 months depending on previous repairs. The 
compliance time specified for doing applicable repairs ranges from 600 
flight hours to 18 months, depending on the extent of the damage.
    We have determined that accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service information will adequately address the unsafe condition. 
The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French 
airworthiness directive F-2005-046, dated March 16, 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 proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    In this proposed AD, the ``detailed visual inspection'' specified 
in the Airbus service bulletin is referred to as a ``detailed 
inspection.'' We have included the definition for a detailed inspection 
in a note in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 393 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed inspection would take about 2 work hours per lavatory, at 
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $51,090, or 
$130 per lavatory, per inspection cycle.

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;

[[Page 68386]]

    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-2005-22919; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
087-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by December 12, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, 
-115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -
231, -232, and -233 airplanes; Model A321-111, -112, and -131 
airplanes; and Model A321-211 and -231 airplanes; certificated in 
any category; equipped with the lavatories in Table 1 of this AD, 
onto which at least one cabin attendant seat (CAS) is attached; 
except those airplanes with lavatory walls that have not been 
modified since the application of Airbus Modification 31574 in 
production.

          Table 1.--Lavatory Installations Affected by This AD
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                                                          Installed by
                      Lavatory--                             Airbus
                                                         modification--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type A DASELL........................................              23125
Type D DASELL........................................              22815
Type E DASELL........................................              22819
Type F DASELL........................................              23695
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of corrosion in the lower part 
of the lavatory walls due to water ingress. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct corrosion and damage on the lower part of the 
lavatory walls, which could compromise the structural integrity of 
the CAS attachments, and cause injury to the cabin attendants during 
a crash landing.

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.

Service Bulletin Reference

    (f) For the purposes of this AD, unless otherwise specified, the 
term ``service bulletin'' means the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1365, dated February 18, 2005.

Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (g) Within 2,400 flight hours or 15 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier: Do a detailed inspection 
for corrosion and damage in the inside and outside lower walls of 
each type A, D, E, and F lavatory wall that has at least one wall-
mounted CAS, and do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary, including any supporting non-
destructive testing and related investigative actions. Do all 
actions in accordance with the procedures and time-frames defined in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Repeat the 
inspection at the applicable time specified in Figure 1 Sheet 1 of 
the service bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Optional Terminating Action

    (h) Doing the permanent repair in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of 
this AD terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of this 
AD.
    (1) Repair the aluminum wall with composite material in 
accordance with the lavatory component maintenance manual (CMM).
    (2) Replace the aluminum wall with a new wall made of composite 
material in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service bulletin in paragraph (h)(2)(i), (h)(2)(ii), or 
(h)(2)(iii) of this AD.
    (i) For lavatory A: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1289, 
Revision 01, dated October 29, 2003.
    (ii) For lavatories D and E: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1365, dated February 18, 2005, which references the lavatory CMM as 
an additional source of service information for doing the 
replacement.
    (iii) For lavatory F: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1357, 
dated July 19, 2004.

Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Issue of a Service 
Bulletin

    (i) Replacement of the lavatory A wall done before the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1289, dated October 11, 2002, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(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

    (k) French airworthiness directive F-2005-046, dated March 16, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 31, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-22443 Filed 11-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P