[Federal Register: December 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 246)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 74172-74173]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de03-9]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-92-AD; Amendment 39-13399; AD 2003-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes Equipped With Certain Litton Air Data Inertial
Reference Units
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 Litton air data inertial reference
units (ADIRU). This AD requires modifying the shelf (floor panel) above
ADIRU 3, and, for certain airplanes, modifying the polycarbonate guard
that covers the ADIRUs, and the ladder located in the avionics
compartment, as applicable. This action is necessary to prevent failure
of ADIRU 3 during flight, which could result in loss of one source of
critical attitude and airspeed data and reduce the ability of the
flightcrew to control the airplane. This action is intended to address
the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective January 27, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 27, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,
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: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2141; 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 Litton
[[Page 74173]]
air data inertial reference units (ADIRU) that was published in the
Federal Register on October 8, 2003 (68 FR 58050). That action proposed
to require modifying the shelf (floor panel) above ADIRU 3, and, for
certain airplanes, modifying the polycarbonate guard which covers the
ADIRUs, and the ladder located in the avionics compartment, as
applicable.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 200 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $300
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $112,000, or $560 per airplane.
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:
2003-26-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-13399. Docket 2002-NM-92-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes;
certificated in any category; equipped with Litton air data inertial
reference units (ADIRU) installed per Airbus Modification 24852,
25108, 25336, 26002, or 28218; except those airplanes on which
Airbus Modification 30650 or 30872 has been accomplished.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of ADIRU 3 during flight, which could result
in loss of one source of critical attitude and airspeed data and
reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane,
accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD: Do the
modifications specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of
this AD, as applicable, in accordance with paragraphs A. through D.
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
25-1248, dated February 16, 2001; as applicable.
(1) For all airplanes: Modify the shelf (floor panel) above
ADIRU 3 by installing shims between the shelf and the webs of the
shelf support structure.
(2) For airplanes with Airbus Modification 25900P3941 or Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-25-1200 accomplished as of the effective date
of this AD: Modify the polycarbonate guard (umbrella) protecting the
ADIRUs by installing shims between the guard and the shelf support
structure.
(3) For airplanes with Airbus Modification 23027P2852 or Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-52-1038 accomplished as of the effective date
of this AD: Modify the ladder located in the avionics compartment by
machining the slot at the foot of the ladder to increase the depth
by 0.236 inch.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(c) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-25-1248, dated February 16, 2001. 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, 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2002-125(B), dated March 6, 2002.
Effective Date
(d) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 12, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31270 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
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