[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40057-40060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15947]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0467; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-023-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports of certain sliding windows that were 
difficult to operate after landing. This proposed AD would require a 
detailed inspection to identify part numbers of sliding windows and 
sliding window seals, and modification if necessary. This proposed AD 
also includes an optional replacement. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct incorrect seals, which could lead to the functional 
loss of the sliding window as an exit, possibly preventing the 
flightcrew from safely evacuating the airplane during an emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 19, 2013.

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 W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For Airbus service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1

[[Page 40058]]

Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 
5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. For PPG Aerospace 
service information identified in this proposed AD, contact PPG 
Aerospace, 12780 San Fernando Road, Sylmar, CA 91342; telephone 818-
362-6711; fax 818-362-0603; Internet http://corporateportal.ppg.com/na/aerospace. You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1405; 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-2013-0467; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-023-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 2013-0011, dated January 15, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Several occurrences have been reported on A320 family aeroplanes 
of PPG sliding windows that were difficult to operate after landing.
    The investigation results revealed that when a seal having Part 
Number (P/N) 22-17-7640-1 or P/N 22-17-7640-2 is installed on a 
sliding window, closure of the window can create a vacuum between 
the 2 tubes of the pressure seal, leading to the window remaining 
stuck to the frame on the fuselage side, due to suction effect.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the 
functional loss of the sliding window as an exit, possibly 
preventing the flight crew from safely evacuating the aeroplane 
during an emergency.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time detailed inspection (DI) of the sliding windows and its seal to 
identify the affected sliding window seals and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of the applicable corrective actions 
[corrective action includes a modification or replacement].

    The subject area on certain Airbus Model A318, A319, and A321 
series airplanes is almost identical to that on the affected Model A320 
series airplanes. Therefore, those Model A318, A319, and A321 series 
airplanes may be subject to the unsafe condition revealed on the Model 
A320 series airplanes. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-56-1015, dated September 
14, 2012; and Service Bulletin A320-56-1016, including Appendices 01 
and 02, dated September 14, 2012. PPG Aerospace has issued Service 
Bulletin 165312-56-001, dated February 29, 2012. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    While paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2013-0011, dated January 15, 2013, 
requires modification of the sliding window seal before further flight, 
this AD requires modification of the sliding window seal within the 
compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. This difference 
has been coordinated with EASA.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 851 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $217,005, or $255 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $0, for a cost of $85 
per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that 
may need these actions.

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

[[Page 40059]]

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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2013-0467; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-
023-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 19, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 
airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -
133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -
233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -
231, and -232 airplanes; certificated in any category; all 
manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 56, Windows.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of certain sliding windows that 
were difficult to operate after landing. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct incorrect seals, which could lead to the 
functional loss of the sliding window as an exit, possibly 
preventing the flightcrew from safely evacuating the airplane during 
an emergency.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Inspection

    Within 750 flight cycles or 750 flight hours, or within 4 
months, after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: 
Do a detailed inspection to identify part numbers (P/Ns) of each 
window and seal of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sliding 
windows and sliding window seals, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1016, 
including Appendices 01 and 02, dated September 14, 2012. A review 
of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the part number of the window and seal of the LH and 
RH sliding windows and sliding window seals can be conclusively 
determined from that review.

(h) Modification

    If a sliding window part number identified in table 1 to 
paragraph (h) of this AD is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, and the part number does not have 
modification amendment M, and does have sliding window seals having 
P/N 22-17-7640-1 or P/N 22-17-7640-2 installed: Within the 
compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, modify the 
sliding window seal, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1015, dated 
September 14, 2012.

   Table 1 to Paragraph (h) of This AD--Affected PPG Aerospace Sliding
                           Window Part Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Left-hand                            Right-hand
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NP165312-1.............................  NP165312-2
NP165312-3.............................  NP165312-4
NP165312-5.............................  NP165312-6
NP165312-7.............................  NP165312-8
NP165312-9.............................  NP165312-10
NP165312-11............................  NP165312-12
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) Optional Replacement

    For sliding windows identified as affected in paragraph (h) of 
this AD, replacement of a sliding window seal having P/N 22-17-7640-
1 L/H or P/N 22-17-7640-2 R/H with a seal having P/N 22-17-7640-3 L/
H or P/N 22-17-7640-4 R/H, respectively done, in accordance with a 
method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent), is an acceptable 
alternative method of compliance with the modification required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: Guidance for replacement of 
a sliding window seal can be found in Page Block 401 of Sub-section 
56-12-11 of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual.

(j) Exceptions to Requirements of Paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD

    (1) Airplanes on which Airbus modification 153512 (installation 
of sliding window with P/N NP165312-13 and P/N NP165312-14 with 
improved seal) or modification 153534 (installation of sliding 
window with P/N NP165312-11 and P/N NP165312-12 with amendment M) 
has been embodied in production are not affected by the requirements 
of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, provided that no sliding 
window or sliding window seal has been replaced since first flight.
    (2) Airplanes on which Airbus modification 39587 (installation 
of affected seal on PPG Aerospace sliding windows) has not been 
embodied in production are not affected by the requirements of 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, provided that no sliding window 
or sliding window seal has been replaced since first flight.

(k) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane any PPG Aerospace sliding window with a part number 
listed in table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD with a seal having P/N 
22-17-7640-1 or P/N 22-17-7640-2, unless the seal has been modified 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-56-1015, dated September 14, 2012; or PPG Aerospace 
Service Bulletin 165312-56-001, dated February 29, 2012.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay 
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (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

[[Page 40060]]

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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0011, dated January 15, 
2013, for related information.
    (2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com. For PPG Aerospace service 
information identified in this AD, contact PPG Aerospace, 12780 San 
Fernando Road, Sylmar, CA 91342; telephone 818 362 6711; fax 818 362 
0603; Internet http://corporateportal.ppg.com/na/aerospace. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 14, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15947 Filed 7-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P