[Federal Register: March 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 53)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12786-12787]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18mr04-3]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-18-AD; Amendment 39-13528; AD 2004-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD);
applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes; that requires replacing the lower guide rod fittings at the
rear passenger doors with improved fittings. This action is necessary
to prevent failure of a lower guide rod fitting, which could cause a
rear passenger door to jam during opening, delaying an emergency
evacuation and resulting in injury to passengers or crew members. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective April 22, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 22, 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: 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: 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, was published in the Federal Register on
December 17, 2003 (68 FR 70213). That action proposed to require
replacing the upper guide rod fittings at the rear passenger doors with
improved fittings.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Support for the Proposed AD
Three commenters support the proposed AD.
Request To Revise Identification of Affected Parts
One commenter requests that the FAA revise the proposed AD to refer
to the correct parts to be replaced. The commenter notes that, while
the proposed AD states that it is the upper guide rod fitting on each
rear passenger door that must be replaced, Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-53-1154, Revision 2, dated March 7, 2003 (which is the applicable
source of service information referenced in the proposed AD), refers to
the lower guide rod fitting.
We concur with the commenter's request to revise this AD to refer
to the lower guide rod fitting instead of the upper. The references to
``upper guide rod fitting'' in the proposed AD are consistent with the
terminology in French airworthiness directive 2001-634(B), dated
December 26, 2001, which refers to the original issue of the service
bulletin, Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1154, dated July 12, 2001.
The original issue of the service bulletin erroneously referred to the
upper guide rod fitting instead of the lower. We have revised the
preamble and body of this final rule to contain the correct
terminology. Also, we have revised paragraph (b) of this AD to clarify
that replacements, of the lower guide rod fitting only, accomplished
per previous revisions of the service bulletin are acceptable for
compliance with this AD. We find that these changes do not increase the
scope of the AD because the service information referenced in the
proposed AD, Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1154, Revision 2, contains
the correct instructions for accomplishing the required actions.
Request To Extend Compliance Time
One commenter requests that we revise the compliance time for the
requirements of this AD from 22 months to 5 years, and suggests that we
add repetitive inspections for cracking of the lower guide arm fittings
as an interim action until the modification is accomplished. The
commenter would like to incorporate this modification into the 5-year
heavy maintenance visit for its fleet, and extending the compliance
time for the proposed AD would accommodate the commenter's schedule.
The commenter states that repetitive inspections for cracking at
intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours, and accomplishment of the
replacement of the lower guide arm fittings within 5 years, would
significantly reduce the possibility of door failure and would not
compromise safety.
We do not concur with the commenter's request. The operator did not
submit appropriate inspection procedures to justify that its request
would adequately ensure an acceptable level of safety. An affected
operator may request approval of an alternative method of compliance or
adjustment of the compliance time for this AD if the
[[Page 12787]]
operator also presents data that justify that an acceptable level of
safety will be maintained. Paragraph (c) of this AD specifies the
office that may approve such requests. We have made no change to the
final rule in this regard.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 440 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 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
$2,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,254,000, or $2,850
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:
2004-06-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-13528. Docket 2002-NM-18-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes;
certificated in any category; on which Airbus Modification 30821 has
not been accomplished.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of a lower guide rod fitting, which could
cause a rear passenger door to jam during opening, delaying an
emergency evacuation and resulting in injury to passengers or crew
members, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 22 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the lower guide rod fitting on each rear passenger door with
an improved fitting by doing all actions in and per the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1154,
Revision 2, dated March 7, 2003.
Replacements Accomplished Previously
(b) Replacements of the lower guide rod fitting accomplished
before the effective date of this AD per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1154, dated July 12,
2001; or Revision 1, dated August 28, 2002; are acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding action required by this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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 for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1154,
Revision 2, dated March 7, 2003. 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 2001-634(B), dated December 26, 2001.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 22, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5847 Filed 3-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P