[Federal Register: October 5, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 192)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 58007-58009]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05oc05-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20874; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-279-AD;
Amendment 39-14311; AD 2005-20-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-100 Series Airplanes;
Model A320-111 Series Airplanes; Model A320-200 Series Airplanes; and
Model A321-100 and -200 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus airplane models, as specified above. This AD requires
modifying the parking brake system to automatically restore the normal
brake if the parking brake pressure decreases below a certain
threshold. This AD results from a report of failure of the parking
brake while the airplane was on the holding point of the runway before
takeoff, leading to a runway departure. We are issuing this AD to
ensure normal braking is available to prevent possible runway departure
in the event of failure of the parking brake.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 9, 2005.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 9,
2005.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this AD.
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:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on April 6, 2005 (70 FR 17351). That NPRM proposed to
require modifying the parking brake system to automatically restore the
normal parking brake if the parking brake pressure decreases below a
certain threshold.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Support for the NPRM
Two commenters support the actions required by the NPRM.
Request To Cite Latest Service Information
One commenter asks that we change the NPRM to refer to the latest
revision of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1201, which is Revision 02,
dated February 1, 2005. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1201, Revision
01, dated May 29, 2002, was referenced in the NPRM as the appropriate
source of service information for accomplishing the specified
modification. The commenter states that Revision 02
[[Page 58008]]
requires additional work be performed on certain aircraft modified per
previous issues of the service bulletin. The commenter suggests that
Revision 02 be added to paragraph (f) of the NPRM as the source of
service information for accomplishing the modification.
We agree with the commenter. We have added Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-32-1201, Revision 02, dated February 1, 2005, which is the most
current source of service information for accomplishing the
modification in this AD, to paragraph (f) of this AD. Although Revision
02 specifies that additional work is necessary, it adds no work to the
original issues of the service bulletin; the section specifying
additional work was inadvertently carried over from Revision 01 of the
service bulletin. Revision 02 merely includes the results of the
validation on Model A321 series airplanes and informs operators that
the revised bulletin is mandatory. We have added Revision 02 to
paragraph (f), added a new paragraph (g) that allows credit for actions
done in accordance with Revision 01 of the service bulletin, and re-
identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly.
Request To Revise Cost Estimate
One commenter disagrees with the cost estimates specified in the
NPRM and states that the FAA has reduced the original estimates for the
modification specified in the service bulletin cited in the NPRM by
approximately one-half. The commenter adds that Airbus typically
underestimates, rather than overestimates, the manpower requirements
for repair and modification service bulletins. The commenter recommends
that the FAA reconsider using the Airbus average estimate of
approximately 45 work hours as a minimum labor cost. The commenter
notes that 60 work hours per aircraft is a better estimate to
accomplish the referenced modification.
We do not agree that it is necessary to revise the cost estimates
of the NPRM, which reflect only the direct costs of the specific
required actions based on the best data available from the
manufacturer. We recognize that operators may incur incidental costs
(such as the time for planning, access and close, and associated
administrative actions) in addition to the direct costs. The cost
analysis in ADs, however, typically does not include incidental costs.
The compliance times in this AD should allow ample time for operators
to do the required actions at the same time as scheduled major airplane
inspection and maintenance activities, which would reduce the
additional time and costs associated with special scheduling. We have
not changed the AD in this regard.
Explanation of Change to This AD
In the Summary section of the NPRM we inadvertently specified
normal parking brake instead of normal brake, as follows, ``This
proposed AD would require modifying the parking brake system to
automatically restore the normal parking brake if the parking brake
pressure decreases below a certain threshold.'' The correct language
for the final rule is ``This AD requires modifying the parking brake
system to automatically restore the normal brake if the parking brake
pressure decreases below a certain threshold.'' We have corrected the
error in this AD.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
We have changed the applicability of the NPRM to identify model
designations as published in the most recent type certificate data
sheet for the affected models.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
These changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator
nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 357 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
modification will take about 23 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $5,600
per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
modification for U.S. operators is $2,532,915, or $7,095 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2005-20-17 Airbus:
Amendment 39-14311. Docket No. FAA-2005-20874; Directorate
Identifier 2004-NM-279-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective November 9, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
[[Page 58009]]
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114,
-115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -
214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131,
-211 and -231 airplanes; certificated in any category; except those
modified in production by Airbus Modification 30062.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of failure of the parking
brake while the airplane was on the holding point of the runway
before takeoff, leading to a runway departure. We are issuing this
AD to ensure normal braking is available to prevent possible runway
departure in the event of failure of the parking brake.
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) Within 52 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify
the parking brake system by accomplishing all the actions specified
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
32-1201, Revision 02, dated February 1, 2005.
Modifications Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Information
(g) Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this
AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1201, Revision
01, dated May 29, 2002; are considered acceptable for compliance
with the corresponding modification required by paragraph (f) of
this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-137, dated November
10, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1201, Revision
02, dated February 1, 2005, to perform the actions that are required
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for a copy of this service information. You may review
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call
(202) 741-6030, or go to http:// www.archives. gov/federal --
register/ code --of --federal-- regulations/ibr-- locations. html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 26, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19874 Filed 10-4-05; 8:45 am]
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