[Federal Register: December 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 246)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 74176-74177]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de03-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-61-AD; Amendment 39-13398; AD 2003-26-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-113 and -114 Series
Airplanes; and Model A320-111, -211, and -212 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 all Airbus Model A319-113 and -114 series airplanes; and
Model A320-111, -211, and -212 series airplanes; that requires either a
review of airplane maintenance or delivery records, or one-time
inspection of the hydraulic actuators located in the pivot doors of
both thrust reversers to identify the part number, and eventual
replacement of certain actuators with modified or new actuators. This
action is necessary to prevent jamming of a thrust reverser door during
operation, or inadvertent deployment of a thrust reverser door in-
flight, which could result in reduced controllability of 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 Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (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: 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 all Airbus Model A319-113 and -114
series airplanes; and Model A320-111, -211, and -212 series airplanes;
was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2003 (68 FR 56792).
That action proposed to require either a review of airplane maintenance
or delivery records, or one-time inspection of the hydraulic actuators
located in the pivot doors of both thrust reversers to identify the
part number, and eventual replacement of certain actuators with
modified or new actuators.
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 108 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, 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 $56,160, or $520 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
[[Page 74177]]
``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:
2003-26-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-13398. Docket 2002-NM-61-AD.
Applicability: All Model A319-113 and -114 series airplanes; and
Model A320-111, -211, and -212 series airplanes; certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent jamming of a thrust reverser door during operation or
inadvertent deployment of a thrust reverser door in-flight, which
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
Inspection and Follow-on Actions
(a) Within 500 airplane flight cycles after the effective date
of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the eight hydraulic
actuators located in the pivot doors of the thrust reversers (one
actuator per pivot door, four pivot doors per thrust reverser, two
thrust reversers per airplane) to identify the part number (P/N) of
each actuator, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-78-
1020, excluding Appendix 01, dated March 28, 2001. Instead of a
detailed inspection of the hydraulic actuators, a review of airplane
maintenance and delivery records is acceptable if the P/N of each
actuator installed on the airplane can be positively determined from
that review.
Note 1: 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) For any actuator having P/Ns D23090000-1, D23090000-2,
D23090000-3, or D23090000-4: Prior to the accumulation of 20,000
total actuator flight cycles, or within 250 airplane flight cycles
after accomplishment of the detailed inspection or airplane records
review required by paragraph (a) of this AD, whichever occurs later,
replace the actuator with a modified or new actuator having part
number D23090000-5 or D23090000-6, in accordance with the service
bulletin.
(2) For any actuator having P/N D23090000-5: Prior to the
accumulation of 30,000 total actuator flight cycles, or within 250
airplane flight cycles after the detailed inspection or airplane
records review required by paragraph (a) of this AD, whichever
occurs later, replace the actuator with a modified or new actuator
having P/N D23090000-6, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(3) For any actuator having P/N D23090000-6: No further action
is required by this paragraph.
Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-78-1020 references Rohr
CFM56-5A Service Bulletin RA32078-106, dated November 16, 2000, as
an additional source of service information for modification of the
actuators.
(b) Once all of the actuators located in the pivot doors of the
thrust reversers have P/N D23090000-6, no further action is required
by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c) For operators that do not track actuator flight cycles, or
do not have a means of obtaining information regarding actuator
flight cycles, engine flight cycles must be used instead of actuator
flight cycles.
Parts Installation
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
an actuator having P/N D23090000-1, D23090000-2, D23090000-3, or
D23090000-4 on any airplane.
Submission of Inspection Results to Manufacturer Not Required
(e) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does
not include such a requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) 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
(g) The actions must be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-78-1020, excluding Appendix 01, dated March 28, 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 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2001-361(B) R1, dated September 3, 2003.
Effective Date
(h) 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. 03-31271 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
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