[Federal Register: January 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 19)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4255-4257]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29ja04-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-63-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) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of a
certain transformer rectifier unit (TRU) with a certain new TRU. This
action is necessary to prevent ignition of the input filter capacitors
of the TRU in position 2 of the avionics compartment, which could
potentially result in smoke in the cockpit. This action is intended to
address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 1, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-63-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. 2003-NM-63-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.
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:
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.
For each issue, state what specific change to
the proposed AD is being requested.
[[Page 4256]]
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 Number 2003-NM-63-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. 2003-NM-63-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 it has received reports of
smoke and/or smoke smells in the cockpit. Investigation revealed that
ignition of the input filter capacitors of the transformer rectifier
unit (TRU) in position 2 of the avionics compartment was the origin of
the smoke generation. This condition, if not corrected, could
potentially result in smoke in the cockpit.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02, dated
February 11, 2003, which describes procedures for replacement of a
certain TRU with a certain new TRU. Accomplishment of the actions
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin
as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2002-554(B),
dated November 13, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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 accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 553 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would be
supplied by the airplane manufacture at no cost to the operators. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $35,945, or $65 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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. 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 the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus: Docket 2003-NM-63-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes,
certificated in any category; except those airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 30737 has been accomplished in production (reference
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02, dated February
11, 2003, in service):
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent ignition of the input filter capacitors of the
transformer rectifier unit (TRU) in position 2 of the avionics
compartment, which could potentially result in smoke in the cockpit,
accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total flight hours, or
within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, replace the TRU, part number Y005-2, with a new TRU,
part number Y005-3, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02,
dated February 11, 2003.
[[Page 4257]]
(b) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this
AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, dated March 5, 2002; or
Revision 1, dated July 26, 2002; are considered acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.
Parts Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD no person shall install
a TRU, part number Y005-2, within position 2 of the avionics
compartment on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2002-544(B), dated November 13, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1908 Filed 1-28-04; 8:45 am]
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