[Federal Register: November 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 218)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 69067-69069]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14no05-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22120; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-92-AD;
Amendment 39-14360; AD 2005-23-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319-100 Series Airplanes,
Model A320-111 Airplanes, Model A320-200 Series Airplanes, and Model
A321-100 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 Model A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111
airplanes, Model A320-200 series airplanes, and Model A321-100 series
airplanes equipped with any additional center tank (ACT). This AD
requires identifying the part number of the ACT and, for certain ACTs,
replacing the outer ACT manhole cover and seal. This AD results from
reports of an ACT fuel transfer failure due to air leakage around the
seal of the outer manhole covers of the ACTs. We are issuing this AD to
prevent this leakage, which could result in fuel or fuel vapor leaking
into the cargo compartment, and consequent increased risk of a fire in
the cargo compartment.
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.
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
A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111 airplanes, Model A320-200
series
[[Page 69068]]
airplanes, and Model A321-100 series airplanes equipped with certain
additional center tanks (ACT). That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on August 17, 2005 (70 FR 48336). That NPRM proposed to
require identifying the part number (P/N) of the ACT and, for certain
ACTs, replacing the outer ACT manhole cover and seal.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the single comment received.
The commenter supports the NPRM.
Additional Service Bulletin Information
After the NPRM was issued Airbus released Revision 02 of service
bulletin A321-28-1105, dated March 11, 2005. We have reviewed it, and
it is substantially similar to Revision 01, which was referred to in
the NPRM as the acceptable source of service information. We have
revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to Revision 02 of the service
bulletin as the acceptable source of service information, and to give
credit for doing Revision 01 before the effective date of this AD.
Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph
We have revised this action 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 received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously.
We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Average Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours hourly labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate airplane airplanes
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P/N identification...................................... 1 $65 $0 $65 28 $1,820
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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):
2005-23-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-14360. Docket No. FAA-2005-22120;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-92-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 19, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
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, and -
131 airplanes; certificated in any category; which are equipped with
any additional center tank (ACT).
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of an ACT fuel transfer
failure due to air leakage around the seal of the outer manhole
covers of the ACTs. We are requiring this AD to prevent this
leakage, which could result in fuel or fuel vapor leaking into the
cargo compartment, and consequent increased risk of a fire in the
cargo compartment.
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.
Part Number Identification
(f) Within 30 days (for Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115,
-131, -132, and -133 airplanes) or 12 months (for Model A320-111, -
211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111,
-112, and -131 airplanes) after the effective date of this AD:
Determine whether the part number (P/N) of each ACT installed on the
airplane is included in Table 1 of this AD. If no ACT installed on
the airplane has a P/N included
[[Page 69069]]
in Table 1 of this AD, no further work is required by this
paragraph.
Table 1.--Affected ACT P/Ns
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D2827091100000
D2827091100200
D2827091100600
D2827091300000
D2827091300200
D2827091300400
D2827105100000
D2827105100200
D2827105100400
D2827105200000
D2827105200200
D2827105200400
D2827105300000
D2827105300200
D2827105300400
D2827105400000
D2827105400200
D2827105400400
D2827105400600
D2827105400800
D2827105500000
D2827105500200
D2827105500400
D2827105600000
D2827105600200
D2827105600400
D2827107500000
D2827107500200
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Manhole Cover/Seal Replacement
(g) Within 30 days (for Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115,
-131, -132, and -133 airplanes) or 12 months (for Model A320-111, -
211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111,
-112, and -131 airplanes) after the effective date of this AD: For
each ACT P/N listed in Table 1 of this AD: Before further flight,
replace the outer ACT manhole cover with a reinforced manhole cover
and replace the outer manhole cover seal with a new seal, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-28-1105, Revision 02, dated March 11, 2005.
Replacements are also acceptable if done before the effective date
of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1105,
Revision 01, dated March 18, 2003; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
28-1105, dated October 22, 2002.
Parts Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
an ACT having any P/N listed in Table 1 of this AD, unless the
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been done for that
ACT.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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 Sec.
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
(j) French airworthiness directive F-2004-038, dated March 17,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1105, Revision
02, dated March 11, 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 October 26, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-22219 Filed 11-10-05; 8:45 am]
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