[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6665-6667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1151]


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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; 
Amendment 39-14474; AD 2006-03-10]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting 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 AD requires 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 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 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 16, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 16, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this 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:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to 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. That NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on September 27, 2005 (70 FR 
56381). That NPRM proposed to 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.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.

Statement of Planned Revision to French Airworthiness Directive

    The commenter, the airplane manufacturer, notes that the French 
airworthiness directive F-2005-052 R1, dated April 13, 2005, which was 
cited in the NPRM, will be revised to add Airbus Modification 36115 as 
the final fix for the unsafe condition. The commenter notes that the 
purpose of Airbus Modification 36115 is to ensure that the hinge is 
manufactured to prevent hinge pin migration.
    We infer that the commenter is requesting that we consider 
mandating this modification when the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 
de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) revises French airworthiness directive F-
2005-052. We will consider mandating this modification after the DGAC 
releases its revision. However, we will not delay issuing this AD 
pending release of the new French airworthiness directive and the 
applicable Airbus service bulletin. Operators may request an 
alternative method of compliance under the

[[Page 6666]]

provisions of paragraph (h) of this AD. Once the modification is 
approved and available, we may consider additional rulemaking. We have 
not changed the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

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

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

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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

2006-03-10 Airbus: Amendment 39-14474. Docket No. FAA-2005-22528; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-125-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective March 16, 2006.

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. We 
are 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 Airbus 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.

[[Page 6667]]

Related Information

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

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex 25A1440, dated 
February 15, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy 
of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 26, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1151 Filed 2-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P