[Federal Register: December 28, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 249)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 78105-78107]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28de06-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26706; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-216-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This proposed
AD would require installing spacer assemblies at the attachment points
of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system in the forward and aft
cargo compartments, as applicable. This proposed AD results from tests
that have shown that the attachment points of the YZ-latches of the
cargo loading system fail under maximum loads. We are proposing this AD
to prevent failure of the attachment points of the YZ-latches, which
could result in unrestrained cargo causing damage to the fire
protection system, hydraulic system, electrical wiring, or other
equipment located in the forward and aft cargo compartments. This
damage could adversely affect the continued safe flight of the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 29,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26706; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-216-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the 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 DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
airworthiness authority for the European Union, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
airplanes. The EASA advises that tests have revealed that the
attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system fail
under maximum loads. Unrestrained cargo parts, if not corrected, could
result in damage to the fire protection system, hydraulic system,
electrical wiring, or other equipment located in the forward and aft
cargo compartments. This damage could adversely affect the continued
safe flight of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1294, Revision 01, dated
March 27, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for
installing spacer assemblies (supporting ring with spring ring) at the
attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system in the
forward and aft cargo compartments, as applicable. Accomplishing the
actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately
address the unsafe condition. The EASA mandated the service information
and issued airworthiness directive 2006-0184, dated July 3, 2006, to
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the European
Union.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. As described in FAA
Order 8100.14A, ``Interim Procedures for Working with the European
Community
[[Page 78106]]
on Airworthiness Certification and Continued Airworthiness,'' dated
August 12, 2005, the EASA has kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the EASA's findings, evaluated all
pertinent information, and determined that we need to issue an AD for
airplanes of this type design that are certificated for operation in
the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between
the Proposed AD and EASA Airworthiness Directive.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and EASA Airworthiness Directive
The applicability of EASA airworthiness directive 2006-0184
excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1294 has
been accomplished in service. However, we have not excluded those
airplanes in the applicability of this proposed AD; rather, this
proposed AD includes a requirement to accomplish the actions specified
in Revision 01 of that service bulletin. This requirement would ensure
that the actions specified in the service bulletin and required by this
proposed AD are accomplished on all affected airplanes. Operators must
continue to operate the airplane in the configuration required by this
proposed AD unless an alternative method of compliance is approved.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 1 airplane of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 4 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $2,049 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost
of the proposed AD for the U.S. operator is $2,369.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2006-26706; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
216-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January
29, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD,
certificated in any category. This AD excludes Airbus Model A319,
A320, and A321 airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD,
certificated in any category.
(1) Including airplanes on which one the following has been
incorporated in production: Airbus Modification 20065, 20040, 24495,
24848, 24496, 21895, 21896, 25905, 25907, 22601, 22602, 27187,
28319, 28322, 28330, 28335, or 31797.
(2) Including airplanes on which one of the following has been
incorporated in service: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1132, A320-
25-1133, A320-25-1145, A320-25-1175, A320-25-1177, A320-25-1276,
A320-25-1278, A320-28-1134, or A320-28-1141.
(3) Excluding airplanes on which both Airbus Modifications 32244
and 32245, or both Airbus Modifications 32316 and 32317, have been
incorporated in production.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from tests that have shown that the
attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system fail
under maximum loads. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of
the attachment points of the YZ-latches, which could result in
unrestrained cargo causing damage to the fire protection system,
hydraulic system, electrical wiring, or other equipment located in
the forward and aft cargo compartments. This damage could adversely
affect the continued safe flight of the airplane.
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.
Installation
(f) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD,
install spacer assemblies at the attachment points of the YZ-latches
of the cargo loading system in the forward and aft cargo
compartments, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1294, Revision 01,
dated March 27, 2006.
Credit for Actions Done According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1294, dated March
14, 2003, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
requirements of 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 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.
[[Page 78107]]
Related Information
(i) European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness
directive 2006-0184, dated July 3, 2006, also addresses the subject
of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 19, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-22280 Filed 12-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P