[Federal Register: May 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 90)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 24699-24701]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11my05-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 24699]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-49-AD; Amendment 39-14081; AD 2005-10-04]
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. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the left- and
right-side main landing gear (MLG) side-stay cuff lugs and down-lock
spring attachments for evidence of cracked or fractured side-stay cuff
lugs or down-lock spring attachments, and repair if necessary. This AD
also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the MLG
side-stay cuff lugs or down-lock spring attachments, which could result
in improper down-lock of the MLG during a freefall extension, and
possible collapse of the MLG. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective June 15, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 15, 2005.
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.
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: 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
October 15, 2003 (68 FR 59347). That action proposed to require
repetitive inspections of the left- and right-side main landing gear
(MLG) side-stay cuff lugs and down-lock spring attachments for evidence
of cracked or fractured side-stay cuff lugs or down-lock spring
attachments, and repair if necessary. That action also provided for
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
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 of the Proposed AD
Several commenters, including the airplane manufacturer, support
the intent of the proposed AD.
Request To Reference Revised Service Information
Several commenters note that Airbus has revised the service
information cited in the proposed AD. The commenters suggest that the
proposed AD be changed to reference the revised service information, as
identified in the following table.
Table--Revised Service Information/Service Information Cited in Proposed AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Referenced in the
Cited in the proposed AD following
Revised Airbus service information-- as-- For accomplishing the-- paragraph(s) of the
proposed AD--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus A319/A320/A321 Maintenance Airbus A318/A319/A320/ Alternative to the (d)
Planning Document, Revision 26a, A321 Maintenance inspection requirements
dated July 31, 2003. Planning Document, in paragraph (a) of the
Revision 25, dated proposed AD.
October 2001.
---------------------------------------
A320-32-1223, Revision 01, dated June A320-32-1223, dated Optional terminating (e)
11, 2002. March 5, 2001. action.
---------------------------------------
A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June A320-32A1224, dated Inspection and part (a) and (c)
11, 2002. January 18, 2001. replacement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We agree that this AD should reference the revised Airbus service
information. We have reviewed the revised service information and
determined that the majority of changes are editorial. Revision 01 of
Service Bulletin A320-32A1224 includes the compliance times mandated in
French airworthiness directive 2002-075(B), dated January 23, 2002.
Instead of referring operators to Chapter 32-11-19 of the Airbus A319/
A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 01 includes Figure 1,
which shows the inspection areas for the side-stay cuffs and links. We
have revised paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD to reference Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002, and
removed the citation for the original issue of that service bulletin.
We have
[[Page 24700]]
also included a new paragraph (d) in this AD to give credit for
inspections and part replacements accomplished before the effective
date of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1224, dated January 18, 2001, and
changed the designations of the subsequent paragraphs.
We have revised paragraph (e) of this AD (paragraph (d) of the
proposed AD) to include Revision 26a, dated July 31, 2003, of the
Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD). In
addition, we have revised the description of task number 321119-01-1 to
reflect the description as changed in Revision 26a of the MPD.
In addition, we have revised paragraph (f) of this AD (paragraph
(e) of the proposed AD) to include the citation for Service Bulletin
A320-32-1223, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002, as an additional source
of service information for accomplishing the optional terminating
action.
Request To Change Type of Inspection
Two commenters note that paragraph (a) of the proposed AD specifies
that operators should do a detailed inspection for cracked or fractured
lugs. The commenters point out that the parallel French airworthiness
directive, 2002-075(B), dated January 23, 2002; Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-32A1224, Revision 01; and task number 321119-01-1, ``Mechanism
Visual Check of Main Landing Gear Downlocking Springs and Side-stay
Center Joint Links and Cuff,'' of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 MPD;
recommend a visual check to ensure the lugs are not ruptured. The
commenters suggest that the inspection terminology in the proposed AD
be changed from ``detailed inspection'' to ``visual check'' in order to
harmonize with the Airbus service information. One commenter states
that the intent of the action is to look for obvious damage; therefore,
visual check is more appropriate verbiage than detailed inspection.
We agree with the intent of the commenters' requests and have
revised paragraph (a) of this AD to reference a ``general visual
inspection'' instead of a ``detailed inspection.'' We also revised Note
1 of this AD to provide the definition of a general visual inspection.
When included in an AD, the term ``check'' means something other than a
cursory inspection of an item, and the requirements of this AD do not
warrant the use of that term.
Request To Revise Compliance Time
One commenter requests that the compliance times in paragraph (a)
of the proposed AD be changed from flight hours to flight cycles.
Specifically, the commenter requests that paragraph (a)(1) of the
proposed AD be changed from ``Within 60 months from the first entry
into service of the MLG, or before the accumulation of 9,000 total
flight hours on the MLG, whichever occurs first'' to ``Within 60 months
from the first entry into service of the MLG, or before 7,200 total
flight cycles on the MLG, whichever occurs first.'' The commenter also
requests that the compliance time in paragraph (a)(2) of the proposed
AD be changed from ``Within 500 flight hours on the MLG after the
effective date of this AD'' to ``Within 500 flight cycles on the MLG
after the effective date of this AD.'' The commenter states that it
tracks MLG side-stays by flight cycles, in accordance with its approved
maintenance program, and that changing the initial inspection to flight
cycles would allow the inspection to be incorporated within a scheduled
maintenance check. The commenter did not provide any information
regarding how it converted 9,000 total flight hours to 7,200 total
flight cycles, or how it converted 500 flight hours to 500 flight
cycles.
We agree with the intent of the commenter's request, but we do not
agree to revise the compliance times in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of
this AD from flight hours to flight cycles. We do not have any
technical justification for making the requested changes. When
determining the compliance time for this AD, we considered the
compliance time specified in the parallel French airworthiness
directive, the airplane manufacturer's recommendation, and the average
utilization of the affected fleet. According to the provisions of
paragraph (g) of this AD, anyone may submit a request to adjust the
compliance time if the request includes data that justify that a
different compliance time would provide an acceptable level of safety.
We have not changed this AD regarding this issue.
Explanation of Change to This AD
Paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) of this AD have been revised to change
the repetitive inspection intervals from 500 flight cycles to 500
flight hours. Although the French airworthiness directive, the Airbus
service information, and the compliance times in paragraph (a) of this
AD state compliance times in flight hours, we inadvertently stated the
repetitive inspection intervals in flight cycles instead of flight
hours.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 367 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by
this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $130 per airplane, per inspection
cycle.
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.
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 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,
[[Page 24701]]
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:
2005-10-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-14081. Docket 2002-NM-49-AD.
Applicability: Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes; certificated in any category; except those airplanes on
which Airbus Modification 30648 has been installed.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the MLG side-stay cuff lugs or down-lock
spring attachments, which could result in improper down-lock of the
MLG during a freefall extension, and possible collapse of the MLG,
accomplish the following:
Inspection
(a) Do a general visual inspection of the left- and right-side
main landing gear (MLG) side-stay cuff lugs and down-lock spring
attachments to detect failures (cracked or fractured lugs), in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002, at the
later of the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this
AD.
(1) Within 60 months from the first entry into service of the
MLG, or before the accumulation of 9,000 total flight hours on the
MLG, whichever occurs first.
(2) Within 500 flight hours on the MLG after the effective date
of this AD.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
(b) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD, no crack or fracture is detected: Repeat the inspection required
by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed
500 flight hours until the actions specified in paragraph (f) of
this AD are accomplished.
(c) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD, any crack or fracture is detected: Before further flight,
replace any discrepant part with a new part of the same type in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002. Repeat the
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours until the actions specified
in paragraph (f) of this AD are accomplished.
Actions Accomplished Previously per Earlier Revision of the Service
Bulletin
(d) Inspections and part replacements accomplished before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1224, dated January
18, 2001, are considered acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this AD.
Actions Accomplished per the Maintenance Planning Document
(e) Compliance with task number 321119-01-1, ``Mechanism Visual
Check of Main Landing Gear Downlocking Springs and Side-stay Center
Joint Links and Cuff,'' in Revision 25, dated October 2001; or
Revision 26a, dated July 31, 2003; of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321
Maintenance Planning Document; is considered acceptable for
compliance with the inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this
AD. Operators should note that this task requires repetitive
inspections at 8-day intervals, instead of intervals not to exceed
500 flight hours.
Optional Terminating Action
(f) Replacement of the MLG side-stay lugs and links on the left
and right sides of the airplane, with lugs and links made of new,
improved material, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
32-1223, dated March 5, 2001; or Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002;
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (b) and
(c) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) 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
(h) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1224,
Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002. 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. To get copies of this
service information, go to Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To inspect copies of this service
information, go to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or to 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
.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2002-075(B), dated January 23, 2002.
Effective Date
(i) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 2005.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9196 Filed 5-10-05; 8:45 am]
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