[Federal Register: October 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 206)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60591-60593]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc07-22]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0081; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-186-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
A number of occurrences of an incorrect installation of the
trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) have been found and
reported during the accomplishment of the AIRBUS Service Bulletin
(SB) A320-27-1164 mandated by EASA AD 2006-0223.
These issues could lead to a degradation of the integrity of the
THSA primary load path and to secondary load path partial or full
engagement.
Degradation of the THSA primary load path could result in latent
(undetected) loading and eventual failure of the THSA secondary load
path, with consequent uncontrolled movement of the horizontal
stabilizer and loss of control of the airplane. The proposed AD would
require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 26,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0081;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-186-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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 we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2007-0178, dated June 22, 2007 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A number of occurrences of an incorrect installation of the
trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) have been found and
reported during the accomplishment of the AIRBUS Service Bulletin
(SB) A320-27-1164 mandated by EASA AD 2006-0223.
These issues could lead to a degradation of the integrity of the
THSA primary load path and to secondary load path partial or full
engagement.
[[Page 60592]]
This AD therefore mandates a one-time detailed visual inspection
of specific parts of the THSA attachments.
Degradation of the THSA primary load path could result in latent
(undetected) loading and eventual failure of the THSA secondary load
path, with consequent uncontrolled movement of the horizontal
stabilizer and loss of control of the airplane. The corrective actions
include doing a one-time detailed visual inspection of the lower and
the upper THSA attachments for correct installation and the presence of
metallic particles, contacting Airbus for repair instructions if any
installation deviations or metallic particles are found, and doing
repairs. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-27A1179, dated January 12,
2007. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 721 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $173,040, or $240 per product.
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 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 this 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.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
AIRBUS: Docket No. FAA-2007-0081; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
186-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by November 26, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, all certified models, all
manufactured serial numbers (MSN) up to and including MSN 2860.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight
Controls.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
A number of occurrences of an incorrect installation of the
trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) have been found and
reported during the accomplishment of the AIRBUS Service Bulletin
(SB) A320-27-1164 mandated by EASA AD 2006-0223.
These issues could lead to a degradation of the integrity of the
THSA primary load path and to secondary load path partial or full
engagement.
This AD therefore mandates a one-time detailed visual inspection
of specific parts of the THSA attachments.
Degradation of the THSA primary load path could result in latent
(undetected) loading and eventual failure of the THSA secondary load
path, with consequent uncontrolled movement of the horizontal
stabilizer and loss of control of the airplane. The corrective
actions include doing a one-time detailed visual inspection of the
lower and the upper THSA attachments for correct installation and
the presence of metallic particles, contacting Airbus for repair
instructions if any installation deviations or metallic particles
are found, and doing repairs.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 600 flight hours or 750 flight cycles or 100 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect
the lower and the upper THSA attachments for installation deviations
and metallic particles,
[[Page 60593]]
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27A1179, dated
January 12, 2007; and, if any installation deviations or metallic
particles are found, before further flight, contact Airbus for
repair instructions and repair.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No Difference.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0178, dated
June 22, 2007, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27A1179, dated
January 12, 2007, for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-21006 Filed 10-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P