[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 23, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78670-78672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30478]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1327; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-161-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    An A320 aircraft experienced an event where it was not possible 
to open the reinforced cockpit door, even after power had been 
removed from the aircraft. Investigation has identified that the 
cockpit door latch/striker assembly may have overheated, causing 
permanent internal damage prior to being electrically isolated by 
the internal thermal fuse. This condition, in case of a rapid 
decompression in the cockpit, would prevent the necessary unlocking/
opening of the door, which may lead to failure of the airplane 
structure.

* * * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 22, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., 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, Airworthiness Office--EAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies 
of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 
425-227-1152.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-1327; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-161-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0151, dated August 5, 2008 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    An A320 aircraft experienced an event where it was not possible 
to open the reinforced cockpit door, even after power had been 
removed from the aircraft. Investigation has identified that the 
cockpit door latch/striker assembly may have overheated, causing 
permanent internal damage prior to being electrically isolated by 
the internal thermal fuse. This condition, in case of a rapid 
decompression in the cockpit, would prevent the necessary unlocking/
opening of the door, which may lead to failure of the airplane 
structure.
    To prevent this, an improved strike package/door bolting system, 
including a Polymer Positive Temperature Coefficient (PPTC) element 
(overheat protection) was introduced by Airbus Modification 35219 in 
production and modification 35218 (Service Bulletin A320-25-1444) 
in-service. The PPTC is a resettable thermistor and is installed on 
the frame of the electrically-operated cockpit door latch/striker 
assembly.
    The in-service implementation of this modification was 
originally managed by an Airbus campaign but the rate of 
installation by operators has not met the expected timescales, 
making mandatory action necessary to address this.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
installation of improved cockpit door latch/striker assemblies.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1444, Revision 02, dated 
August 1, 2006. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

[[Page 78671]]

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 620 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 6 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product. Where the 
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under 
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. 
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some 
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $297,600, or $480 per product.

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 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 this 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2008-1327; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-
161-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by January 22, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -
122; A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-
111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, -233; and A321-111, -112, -131, -
211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 series airplanes; certificated in 
any category; equipped with a cockpit door latch/striker assembly 
having part number AR4714-1 or AR4714-3.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25: 
Equipment/furnishings.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    An A320 aircraft experienced an event where it was not possible 
to open the reinforced cockpit door, even after power had been 
removed from the aircraft. Investigation has identified that the 
cockpit door latch/striker assembly may have overheated, causing 
permanent internal damage prior to being electrically isolated by 
the internal thermal fuse. This condition, in case of a rapid 
decompression in the cockpit, would prevent the necessary unlocking/
opening of the door, which may lead to failure of the airplane 
structure.
    To prevent this, an improved strike package/door bolting system, 
including a Polymer Positive Temperature Coefficient (PPTC) element 
(overheat protection) was introduced by Airbus Modification 35219 in 
production and modification 35218 (Service Bulletin A320-25-1444) 
in-service. The PPTC is a resettable thermistor and is installed on 
the frame of the electrically-operated cockpit door latch/striker 
assembly.
    The in-service implementation of this modification was 
originally managed by an Airbus campaign but the rate of 
installation by operators has not met the expected timescales, 
making mandatory action necessary to address this.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
installation of improved cockpit door latch/striker assemblies.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
all cockpit door latch/striker assemblies having part number AR4714-
1 or AR4714-3 with modified units in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1444, Revision 02, dated August 1, 2006 (Airbus 
Modification 35218).
    (2) Previous accomplishment of the replacement before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1444, dated April 29, 2005, or Revision 01, dated July 19, 
2005, meets the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Send information to ATTN: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

[[Page 78672]]

98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149. Before 
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0151, dated 
August 5, 2008, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1444, Revision 
02, dated August 1, 2006, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, WA, on December 12, 2008.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30478 Filed 12-22-08; 8:45 am]
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