[Federal Register: October 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 194)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60098-60100]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07oc04-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19264; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-90-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require modification of certain auxiliary power unit
(APU) alternating current (AC) generators. This proposed AD is prompted
by a report of an explosion in the APU compartment, which blew open the
compartment doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent oil vapor
leakage from the APU AC generator, which, when combined with an
electric arc at the electrical receptacle, could result in a fire or
explosion in the APU compartment during flight.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 22,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical information: 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.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Docket Management System (DMS)
The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your
[[Page 60099]]
comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No.
FAA-2004-19264; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-90-AD'' in the subject
line of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.Examining
the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, one operator reported an
explosion in the auxiliary power unit (APU) compartment when passengers
were disembarking, which blew open the compartment doors. Analysis
revealed that, due to vibrations in the APU alternating current (AC)
generators, the retaining bolts of the electrical receptacle had
loosened, causing oil vapor leakage. The DGAC also advises that
additional reports were received of loose retaining bolts found during
maintenance inspections. Oil vapor leakage, combined with an electric
arc at the electrical receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion
in the APU compartment during flight.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106, dated May
26, 2003 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes). The service
bulletin describes procedures for modification of certain APU AC
generators. The modification includes replacing the retaining bolts of
the electrical receptacle with new, improved retaining bolts, locking
the new bolts with tie wire; installing a new nameplate; and performing
an operational test. The service bulletin also specifies modifying the
APU AC generator, prior or concurrently with Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-24-1082, Revision 01, dated March 15, 1996 (for Model A320 and
A321 series airplanes). Accomplishing the actions specified in the
Airbus service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition.
The DGAC mandated the Airbus service information and issued French
airworthiness directive F-2004-019, dated February 4, 2004, to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Service Bulletin A320-24-1106 refers to Hamilton Sundstrand Service
Bulletin 90EGS01AG-24-18, dated February 13, 2003, as an additional
source of service information for accomplishment of the modification.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
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. We have examined the DGACs findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
modification of certain APU AC generators. The proposed AD would
require you to use the Airbus service information described previously
to perform these actions.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 537 airplanes of U.S. registry.
For airplanes listed in Service Bulletin A320-24-1106: The proposed
modification would take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be free of
charge. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed
modification for U.S. operators is $174,525, or $325 per airplane.
For airplanes listed in Service Bulletin A320-24-1082: The
concurrent modification, if done, would take about 5 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts
would be free of charge. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed modification for U.S. operators is $174,525, or $325 per
airplane.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 60100]]
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2004-19264; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
90-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by November 22, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped
with any Hamilton Sundstrand Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) alternating
current (AC) generator having part number 5906732, 5909006, or
5910047; with up to amendment 17 included; on which Airbus
Modification 32614 has not been done.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of an explosion in the APU
compartment which blew open the compartment doors. We are issuing
this AD to prevent oil vapor leakage from the APU AC generator,
which, when combined with an electric arc at the electrical
receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion in the APU
compartment during flight.
Compliance: (e) You are responsible for having the actions
required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified,
unless the actions have already been done.
Modification
(f) For all airplanes: Within 20 months after the effective date
of this AD, modify the APU AC generator by doing all the actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-24-1106, dated May 26, 2003. Do the actions in
accordance with the service bulletin.
Concurrent Actions
(g) For Model A320 and A321 series airplanes: Prior to or
concurrently with accomplishing the modification required by
paragraph (f) of this AD, do the modification of the APU AC
generator specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1082,
Revision 01, dated March 15, 1996; by doing all the actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions in accordance with the
service bulletin. Prior accomplishment of the modification in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1082, dated
September 30, 1994, meets the requirements of this paragraph.
Additional Source of Service Information
Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106 refers to Hamilton
Sundstrand Service Bulletin 90EGS01AG-24-18, dated February 13,
2003, as an additional source of service information for
accomplishment of the modification required by paragraph (f) of this
AD.
Part Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
an APU AC generator having a part number listed in the old part
number column specified in Paragraph 1.L. of Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-24-1106, dated May 26, 2003; on any airplane, unless that
generator has been modified in accordance with paragraphs (f) and
(g) of this AD, as applicable.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, International Branch, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) French airworthiness directive F-2004-019, dated February 4,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 30, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22565 Filed 10-6-04; 8:45 am]
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