[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 249 (Thursday, December 28, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78105-78107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22280]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26706; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-216-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 installing spacer assemblies at the attachment points 
of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system in the forward and aft 
cargo compartments, as applicable. This proposed AD results from tests 
that have shown that the attachment points of the YZ-latches of the 
cargo loading system fail under maximum loads. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent failure of the attachment points of the YZ-latches, which 
could result in unrestrained cargo causing damage to the fire 
protection system, hydraulic system, electrical wiring, or other 
equipment located in the forward and aft cargo compartments. This 
damage could adversely affect the continued safe flight of the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 29, 
2007.

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 9:00 
a.m. and 5:00 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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-
26706; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-216-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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for the European Union, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
airplanes. The EASA advises that tests have revealed that the 
attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system fail 
under maximum loads. Unrestrained cargo parts, if not corrected, could 
result in damage to the fire protection system, hydraulic system, 
electrical wiring, or other equipment located in the forward and aft 
cargo compartments. This damage could adversely affect the continued 
safe flight of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1294, Revision 01, dated 
March 27, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
installing spacer assemblies (supporting ring with spring ring) at the 
attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system in the 
forward and aft cargo compartments, as applicable. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately 
address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated the service information 
and issued airworthiness directive 2006-0184, dated July 3, 2006, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the European 
Union.

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. As described in FAA 
Order 8100.14A, ``Interim Procedures for Working with the European 
Community

[[Page 78106]]

on Airworthiness Certification and Continued Airworthiness,'' dated 
August 12, 2005, the EASA has kept the FAA informed of the situation 
described above. We have examined the EASA'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 actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between 
the Proposed AD and EASA Airworthiness Directive.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and EASA Airworthiness Directive

    The applicability of EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0184 
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1294 has 
been accomplished in service. However, we have not excluded those 
airplanes in the applicability of this proposed AD; rather, this 
proposed AD includes a requirement to accomplish the actions specified 
in Revision 01 of that service bulletin. This requirement would ensure 
that the actions specified in the service bulletin and required by this 
proposed AD are accomplished on all affected airplanes. Operators must 
continue to operate the airplane in the configuration required by this 
proposed AD unless an alternative method of compliance is approved.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 1 airplane of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 4 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $2,049 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of the proposed AD for the U.S. operator is $2,369.

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-2006-26706; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
216-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January 
29, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, 
certificated in any category. This AD excludes Airbus Model A319, 
A320, and A321 airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD, 
certificated in any category.
    (1) Including airplanes on which one the following has been 
incorporated in production: Airbus Modification 20065, 20040, 24495, 
24848, 24496, 21895, 21896, 25905, 25907, 22601, 22602, 27187, 
28319, 28322, 28330, 28335, or 31797.
    (2) Including airplanes on which one of the following has been 
incorporated in service: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1132, A320-
25-1133, A320-25-1145, A320-25-1175, A320-25-1177, A320-25-1276, 
A320-25-1278, A320-28-1134, or A320-28-1141.
    (3) Excluding airplanes on which both Airbus Modifications 32244 
and 32245, or both Airbus Modifications 32316 and 32317, have been 
incorporated in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from tests that have shown that the 
attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system fail 
under maximum loads. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the attachment points of the YZ-latches, which could result in 
unrestrained cargo causing damage to the fire protection system, 
hydraulic system, electrical wiring, or other equipment located in 
the forward and aft cargo compartments. This damage could adversely 
affect the continued safe flight 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.

Installation

    (f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install spacer assemblies at the attachment points of the YZ-latches 
of the cargo loading system in the forward and aft cargo 
compartments, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1294, Revision 01, 
dated March 27, 2006.

Credit for Actions Done According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1294, dated March 
14, 2003, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements of paragraph (f) of 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 78107]]

Related Information

    (i) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness 
directive 2006-0184, dated July 3, 2006, also addresses the subject 
of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 19, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-22280 Filed 12-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P