[Federal Register: November 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 218)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 69063-69065]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no05-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19863; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-29-AD;
Amendment 39-14363; AD 2005-23-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-100, A320-200, and
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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A319-100, A320-200, and
A321-100 and -200 series airplanes. That AD currently requires
modification of the telescopic girt bar of the escape slide/raft
assembly, and follow-on actions. This new AD requires a new
modification of the telescopic girt bar and the installation of
placards on the modified girt bars, which terminates the repetitive
functional tests required by the existing AD. This AD results from
development of a new, improved modification. We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the escape slide/raft to deploy correctly, which
could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation
and consequent injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 19, 2005.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 19,
2005.
On August 31, 2001 (66 FR 42939, August 16, 2001), the Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus
Industrie All Operators Telex A320-52A1111, Revision 01, dated July 23,
2001, including Airbus Industrie Technical Disposition 959.1492/01,
Issue C, dated July 17, 2001.
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 supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2001-16-14,
amendment 39-12383 (66 FR 42939, August 16, 2001). The existing AD
applies to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.
That supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July
21, 2005 (70 FR 42005). That supplemental NPRM proposed to mandate the
installation of placards on the modified girt bars, which terminates
the repetitive functional tests required by the existing AD.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the additional comment that
has been received on the supplemental NPRM. The commenter supports the
supplemental NPRM.
Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph
We have changed this AD to clarify the appropriate procedure for
notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on any
airplane to which the AMOC applies.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that has been received, and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 517 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The modification that is required by AD 2001-16-14 and retained in
this AD takes about 7 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate
of $65 per work hour. The cost of required parts is negligible. Based
on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently required
modification for U.S. operators is $235,235, or $455 per airplane.
The functional test that is required by AD 2001-16-14 and retained
in this AD takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor
rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the currently required functional test for U.S. operators is $33,605,
or $65 per airplane, per test cycle.
For airplanes that have not been modified in accordance with AD
2001-16-14: The new modification (including the new placard
installation) takes about 17 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts cost about $5,130 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the new
modification specified in this AD is $6,235 per airplane.
For airplanes that have been modified in accordance with AD 2001-
16-14: The new modification (including the new placard installation)
takes about 21 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65
per work hour. Required parts cost about $5,130 per airplane. Based on
these figures, the estimated cost of the new modification specified in
this AD is $6,495 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.
[[Page 69064]]
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
removing amendment 39-12383 (66 FR 42939, August 16, 2001) and by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2005-23-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-14363. Docket No. FAA-2004-19863;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-29-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 19, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2001-16-14.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114,
-115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -
233; and A321-111, -112, -131, -211, and -231 airplanes;
certificated in any category; equipped with telescopic girt bars of
the escape slide/raft assembly installed per Airbus Modification
20234, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1055 or A320-25-1218 in
service; except those airplanes with Airbus Modification 31708.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by development of a new, improved
modification of the telescopic girt bar of the escape slide/raft
assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the escape
slide/raft to deploy correctly, which could result in the slide
being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury
to passengers or airplane crewmembers.
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.
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2001-16-14
Modification/Follow-On Actions
(f) For airplanes listed in Airbus Industrie All Operators Telex
(AOT) A320-52A1111, Revision 01, dated July 23, 2001: Within 1,500
flight hours after August 31, 2001 (the effective date of AD 2001-
16-14); except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD, modify the
telescopic girt bar of the escape slide/raft assembly installed on
all passenger and crew doors and do a functional test to ensure the
girt bar does not retract, per Airbus Industrie AOT A320-52A1111,
Revision 01, dated July 23, 2001.
(1) If the girt bar retracts, before further flight, replace any
discrepant parts and do another functional test to ensure the girt
bar does not retract, per the AOT. Repeat the functional test
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months until paragraph (g)
of this AD is accomplished.
(2) If the girt bar does not retract, repeat the functional test
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months.
Note 1: Modification and follow-on actions accomplished prior to
the effective date of this AD per Airbus Industrie AOT A320-52A1111,
dated July 5, 2001, are considered acceptable for compliance with
the applicable actions specified in this amendment.
New Requirements of This AD
Modification
(g) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD:
Accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of
this AD by doing all the applicable actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1112,
Revision 05, dated June 25, 2004. Accomplishing these actions
terminates the repetitive functional tests required by paragraph (f)
of this AD.
(1) Modify the telescopic girt bar of the escape slide/raft
assembly.
(2) Install a placard on each modified girt bar.
(h) For airplanes on which the modification of the telescopic
girt bar required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD is accomplished
within the compliance time specified in paragraph (f) of this AD,
accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (f) is not
required.
Modifications Accomplished According to Previous Issues of Service
Bulletin
(i) Modification of the telescopic girt bar accomplished before
the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-52-1112, dated January 16, 2002; Revision 01, dated
April 3, 2002; Revision 02, dated September 6, 2002; Revision 03,
dated June 27, 2003; or Revision 04, dated November 12, 2003; is
considered acceptable for compliance with the modification of the
telescopic girt bar required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
Parts Installation
(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane a telescopic girt bar of the escape slide/raft
assembly unless it has been modified as required by paragraph (g) of
this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve alternative
methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2001-16-14
are approved as AMOCs with paragraph (f) of this AD.
(3) 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
(l) French airworthiness directives 2002-637(B) R1, dated April
16, 2003, and F-2005-057, dated April 13, 2005, also address the
subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1112, Revision
05, dated June 25, 2004; and Airbus Industrie All Operators Telex
A320-52A1111, Revision 01, dated July 23, 2001, including Airbus
Industrie
[[Page 69065]]
Technical Disposition 959.1492/01, Issue C, dated July 17, 2001; as
applicable; to perform the actions that are required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1112,
Revision 05, dated June 25, 2004; in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) On August 31, 2001 (66 FR 42939, August 16, 2001), the
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Airbus Industrie All Operators Telex A320-52A1111,
Revision 01, dated July 23, 2001, including Airbus Industrie
Technical Disposition 959.1492/01, Issue C, dated July 17, 2001.
(3) 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 October 25, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-22217 Filed 11-10-05; 8:45 am]
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