[Federal Register: August 8, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 153)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47216-47218]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08au03-9]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-16-AD; Amendment 39-13260; AD 2003-16-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes equipped with certain cockpit lateral fixed windows
manufactured by PPG Aerospace. This amendment requires detailed
repetitive inspections of the cockpit lateral fixed windows to detect
moisture ingression and delamination, and follow-on/corrective actions,
as applicable. This AD also provides for an optional terminating action
for the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent moisture ingression and delamination of the cockpit
lateral fixed windows, which could result in the loss of the outer
glass ply, and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to people
or damage to property on the ground. This action is intended to address
the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective September 12, 2003. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of September 12, 2003.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes equipped with certain cockpit lateral fixed
windows manufactured by PPG Aerospace was published in the Federal
Register on April 11, 2003 (68 FR 17757). That action proposed to
require detailed repetitive inspections of the cockpit lateral fixed
windows to detect moisture ingression and delamination, and follow-on/
corrective actions, as applicable. That action also proposed an
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. A single comment which concurred with
the proposed AD was submitted.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the
rule as proposed. However, the language in the Summary and the
Supplementary Information sections of this preamble has been revised to
clarify that ``detailed repetition inspections'' rather than ``a
detailed inspection,'' are required until the optional terminating
action is accomplished.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we
have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.
Cost Impact
After the proposed AD was issued, we reviewed the figures we use to
calculate the labor rate to do the required actions. To account for
various inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it
appropriate to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from
$60 per work hour to $65 per work hour. The economic impact information
below has been revised to reflect this increase in the specified hourly
labor rate.
The FAA estimates that 36 Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the detailed
inspections to identify moisture ingression of certain identified
cockpit
[[Page 47217]]
lateral fixed windows, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $4,680, or $130 per airplane, per
inspection cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2003-16-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-13260. Docket 2002-NM-16-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes,
certificated in any category, equipped with PPG Aerospace cockpit
lateral fixed windows having part number (P/N) NP-165313-1 or NP-
165313-2, and having a serial number (S/N) below 95001H0001 (PPG
Aerospace manufacturing date before January 1, 1995).
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent moisture ingression and delamination of the cockpit
lateral fixed windows, which could result in the loss of the outer
glass ply and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to people
or damage to property on the ground, accomplish the following:
Repetitive Inspections and Replacement, if Necessary
(a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
perform a detailed inspection to detect urethane degradation or
delamination of the outer glass ply; per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1009, Revision 01,
including Appendix 01, dated July 4, 2002.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
(1) If no urethane degradation or delamination is found:
Accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or
(a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, until the
replacement specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this AD has been
accomplished; or
(ii) Within 500 flight hours after the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD: Replace the cockpit lateral fixed windows
with new windows having P/N NP-165313-1 or NP-165313-2, and S/N
95001H0001 or above (PPG Aerospace manufacturing date January 1,
1995, or after); or with new windows having P/N NP-165313-3 or NP-
165313-4; per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin. Accomplishment of the replacement terminates the
requirements of this AD.
(2) If any urethane degradation is found: Within 50 flight hours
after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD,
accomplish the replacement specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this
AD.
(3) If any delamination is found: Before further flight, measure
the length of the delamination per the Accomplishment Instructions
of the service bulletin.
(i) If the length of the delamination is less than or equal to
1.0 inch (25.4 millimeters (mm)): Accomplish the actions specified
in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(ii) If the length of the delamination is greater than 1.0 inch
(25.4 mm): Within 50 flight hours after the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
Note 3: The Airbus service bulletin references PPG Aerospace
Service Bulletin NP-165313-56-001, dated May 15, 2001, as an
additional source of service information for accomplishing the
applicable actions required by this AD.
Actions Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(b) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD,
per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1009, dated August 30, 2001, are
considered acceptable for compliance with the actions required by
this AD.
Information Collection
(c) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit information the manufacturer, this AD does not
include such a requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199
[[Page 47218]]
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to
operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD
can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) Unless otherwise specified, the actions shall be done in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1009, Revision 01,
including Appendix 01, dated July 4, 2002. This incorporation by
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2001-632(B), dated December 26, 2001.
Effective Date
(g) This amendment becomes effective on September 12, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 31, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19982 Filed 8-7-03; 8:45 am]
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