[Federal Register: December 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 242)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70210-70213]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17de03-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-239-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes. The proposed AD would require checking the
identification plate on the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator and re-
identifying the actuator or replacing the actuator with one which has
been cleaned and tested by its manufacturer. This proposal is prompted
by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a
foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent jamming of the RAT actuator in an
emergency which requires deployment of the RAT, and consequent loss of
hydraulic and electrical power in the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 16, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-239-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must
[[Page 70211]]
be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Airbus, 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.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 2001-NM-239-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2001-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during a test of an ram
air turbine (RAT) on the final assembly line, the RAT did not deploy
due to contamination of the RAT actuator by machining chips. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in jamming of the RAT
actuator in an emergency which requires deployment of the RAT, and
consequent loss of hydraulic and electrical power in the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, dated
February 20, 2003, which describes procedures for the following steps:
(1) Extending the RAT actuator to check the part number, the serial
number, and the notations on the Amend Block of the identification
plate;
(2) Re-identifying certain RAT actuators; and
(3) Sending certain RAT actuators back to their manufacturer
(Arkwin Industries, Inc.) and replacing them with RAT actuators which
have been cleaned and re-identified by the manufacturer.
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, dated February
20, 2003, refers to Hamilton Sundstrand/Arkwin Industries Service
Bulletin ERPS08A-29-2, dated February 22, 2001, as a secondary source
of service information for these actions.
The DGAC classified Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision
02, dated February 20, 2003, as mandatory. On December 24, 2002, the
DGAC issued French airworthiness directive 2001-236(B) R1 in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Related Rulemaking
For Airbus Models A319 and A321 series airplanes, Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, dated February 20, 2003, specifies
that there is to be prior or concurrent accomplishment of Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-29-1088. Accomplishment of that service bulletin
is required by AD 2000-05-08, amendment 39-11617 (65 FR 12080, March 8,
2000).
FAA's Conclusions
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. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require checking the
identification plate on the RAT actuator and re-identifying the
actuator or replacing it with one which has been cleaned, tested and
re-identified by its manufacturer. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098,
Revision 02, dated February 20, 2003, and Hamilton Sundstrand/Arkwin
Industries Service Bulletin ERPS08A-29-2, dated February 22, 2001.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 195 airplanes of U.S. registry that would
be affected by this proposed AD.
The actions that are proposed in this AD action would take a
maximum of 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor
rate of $65 per work hour. There would be no cost for required parts.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed requirements of
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $63,375 or $325 per
airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
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.
[[Page 70212]]
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 proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Airbus: Docket 2001-NM-239-AD.
Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes which have received
modification 27189, Model A319 series airplanes; and Model A321
series airplanes, provided that none has received modification 30978
or 28413; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent jamming of the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator in an
emergency which requires deployment of the RAT, and consequent loss
of hydraulic and electrical power in the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Extension of RAT Actuator
(a) Within 31 months after the effective date of this AD: Extend
the existing RAT actuator, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02,
dated February 20, 2003.
Determination of Identification of RAT Actuator
(b) Immediately after accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this
AD: Check the identification plate on the RAT actuator to determine
the part number (P/N), the serial number, and whether there is a
notation in the Amend Block, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Hamilton Sundstrand/ Arkwin Industries Service
Bulletin ERPS08A-29-2, dated February 22, 2001.
Retraction, Re-identification, or Replacement of RAT Actuator
(c) Depending upon the identification of the RAT actuator,
accomplish the follow-on action indicated in Table 1 of this AD, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision No. 02, dated February 20, 2003.
Table-1.--Follow-on Actions
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And the Amend Block is And the serial number
If the P/N is-- marked with an ``A''-- is-- Then--
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764711A.............................. N/A.................... N/A.................... No further action is
required.
764711............................... No..................... N/A.................... Prior to further
flight, remove the RAT
actuator and replace
it with one which has
been cleaned, tested
and re-identified by
its manufacturer.
764711............................... Yes.................... 0868-0889.............. Prior to further
flight, remove the RAT
actuator and replace
it with one which has
been cleaned, tested
and re-identified by
its manufacturer.
764711............................... Yes.................... Other than 0868-0889... Prior to further
flight, re-identify
the RAT actuator, in
accordance with
paragraph 2.G. of the
Accomplishment
Instructions of
Hamilton Sundstrand/
Arkwin Industries
Service Bulletin
ERPS08A-29-2, dated
February 22, 2001.
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[[Page 70213]]
Parts Installation
(d) As of the effective date of this AD: No person may install
an Arkwin Industries RAT actuator having P/N 764711 on any Airbus
Model A319, A320, or A321 airplane, unless it is in compliance with
this AD.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2001-236(B) R1, dated December 24, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certificiation
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31065 Filed 12-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P