[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19136-19138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5476]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24431; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
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, A320, and A321 airplanes. This proposed 
AD would require a detailed inspection for cracks and marks on the 
carbon blades of the ram air turbine (RAT), and replacement of the RAT 
with a new or serviceable RAT if necessary. This proposed AD results 
from a report of three chord-wise cracks on the aft side of one carbon 
blade of a certain RAT. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
cracks and/or marks on the RAT carbon blades, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the carbon blade, and consequent loss 
of the RAT as a source of hydraulic and electrical power in an 
emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.

[[Page 19137]]

     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-2006-
24431; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-011-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 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 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during routine maintenance 
inspections, three chord-wise cracks were found on the aft side of one 
carbon blade of the Sundstrand ram air turbine (RAT), part number (P/N) 
762308. Investigations revealed that the carbon fibers of the carbon 
blades were installed in the incorrect position during manufacturing, 
which reduced the structural integrity of the blades and caused the 
cracks. Cracks and/or marks on the carbon blades of the RAT, if not 
corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the carbon 
blade, and consequent loss of the RAT as a source of hydraulic and 
electrical power during an emergency.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-29-1124, dated November 23, 
2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for a detailed 
inspection for cracks and marks on the carbon blades of the RAT, and 
replacement of the RAT with a new or serviceable RAT if necessary. 
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-
2005-212 on December 21, 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 airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the inspection and replacement if necessary specified in 
the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 34 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $2,720, or $80 
per airplane.

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

[[Page 19138]]

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-2006-24431; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
011-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by May 15, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to airplanes identified in Table 1 of this 
AD, certificated in any category; except those airplanes on which no 
modification/replacement of the RAT has been done since 
incorporating Airbus modification 27014 (installation of a 
Sundstrand ram air turbine (RAT), part number (P/N) 766352) or 28413 
(reinstallation of the Dowty RAT) in production.

                         Table 1.--Applicability
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         Airbus model                        Equipped with
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(1) A320 airplanes...........  A Sundstrand RAT, P/N 762308, installed
                                by incorporating Airbus modification
                                27189 in production.
(2) A319 and A321 airplanes..  A Sundstrand RAT, P/N 762308, installed
                                by incorporating Airbus modification
                                25364 in production or Airbus Service
                                Bulletin A320-29-1075 in service.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of three chord-wise cracks on 
the aft side of one carbon blade of a certain RAT. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct cracks and/or marks on the RAT carbon 
blades, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
carbon blade, and consequent loss of the RAT as a source of 
hydraulic and electrical power in an emergency.

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.

Inspection and Replacement

    (f) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do a detailed inspection for cracks and marks on the carbon blades 
of the RAT, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1124, dated November 23, 2005. If 
any crack or mark is found to be outside the limits specified in the 
service bulletin, before further flight, replace the RAT with a new 
or serviceable RAT in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions 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.''

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
Sundstrand RAT, P/N 762308, on any airplane, unless it has been 
inspected in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD and found to 
be within the limits specified in the referenced service bulletin.

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-2005-212, issued December 
21, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 4, 2006.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-5476 Filed 4-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P