[Federal Register: March 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 53)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12787-12789]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18mr04-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-239-AD; Amendment 39-13529; AD 2004-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
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 certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes, that requires checking the identification plate on the ram
air turbine (RAT) actuator and re-identifying the actuator or replacing
the actuator with one which has been cleaned and tested by its
manufacturer. This action is necessary to prevent jamming of the RAT
actuator in an emergency which requires deployment of the RAT, and
consequent loss of hydraulic and electrical power in the airplane. 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
[[Page 12788]]
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 70210). That action proposed to require
checking the identification plate on the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator
and re-identifying the actuator or replacing the actuator with one
which has been cleaned and tested by its manufacturer.
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 195 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $65 per work hour. There would be no cost for required parts.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $63,375, or $325 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:
2004-06-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-13529. Docket 2001-NM-239-AD.
Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes which have received
modification 27189; Model A319 series airplanes; and Model A321
series airplanes, provided that none has received modification 30978
or 28413; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent jamming of the ram air turbine (RAT) actuator in an
emergency which requires deployment of the RAT, and consequent loss
of hydraulic and electrical power in the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Extension of RAT Actuator
(a) Within 31 months after the effective date of this AD: Extend
the existing RAT actuator, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02,
dated February 20, 2003.
Determination of Identification of RAT Actuator
(b) Immediately after accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this
AD: Check the identification plate on the RAT actuator to determine
the part number (P/N), the serial number, and whether there is a
notation in the Amend Block, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Hamilton Sundstrand/Arkwin Industries Service
Bulletin ERPS08A-29-2, dated February 22, 2001.
Retraction, Re-identification, or Replacement of RAT Actuator
(c) Depending upon the identification of the RAT actuator,
accomplish the follow-on action indicated in Table 1 of this AD, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, dated February 20, 2003.
Table 1.--Follow-on Actions
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And the Amend Block is And the serial number
If the P/N is-- marked with an ``A''-- is-- Then--
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764711A................... N/A....................... N/A...................... No further action is
required.
764711.................... No........................ N/A...................... Prior to further flight,
remove the RAT actuator and
replace it with one which
has been cleaned, tested and
re- identified by its
manufacturer.
[[Page 12789]]
764711.................... Yes....................... 0868-0889................ Prior to further flight,
remove the RAT actuator and
replace it with one which
has been cleaned, tested and
re- identified by its
manufacturer.
764711.................... Yes....................... Other than 0868-0889..... Prior to further flight,
reidentify the RAT actuator,
in accordance with paragraph
2.G. of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Hamilton
Sundstrand/Arkwin Industries
Service Bulletin ERPS08A-29-
2, dated February 22, 2001.
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Parts Installation
(d) As of the effective date of this AD: No person may install
an Arkwin Industries RAT actuator having P/N 764711 on any Airbus
Model A319, A320, or A321 airplane, unless it is in compliance with
this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-29-1098, Revision 02, dated February 20, 2003; and
Hamilton Sundstrand/Arkwin Industries Service Bulletin ERPS08A-29-2,
dated February 22, 2001; as applicable. 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 2001-236(B) R1, dated December 24, 2002.
Effective Date
(f) 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. 04-5848 Filed 3-17-04; 8:45 am]
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