Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 25 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5739-5741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2403]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-254-AD; Amendment 39-11554; AD 2000-02-36]
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 supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes, that currently requires relocation of the engine/master 1 
relay from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the avionics bay. This 
amendment continues to require the relocation using new electrical 
contacts, and, for certain airplanes, adds a requirement to replace 
certain contacts installed in shelf 95VU during relocation of the relay 
with new contacts. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a 
simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to both engines, which could 
result in a loss of engine power and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES:  Effective March 13, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 13, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain other publications, as 
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of October 27, 1998 (63 FR 50492, September 22, 
1998).

ADDRESSES:  The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 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; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-20-10, 
amendment 39-10777 (63 FR 50492, September 22, 1998), which is 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on October 21, 1999 
(64 FR 56715). The action proposed to continue to require relocation of 
the engine/master 1 relay from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the 
avionics bay using new electrical contacts. The action also proposed to 
add, for certain airplanes, a requirement to replace certain contacts 
installed in shelf 95VU during relocation of the relay with new 
contacts.

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 for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request to Revise Cost Estimate

    One commenter concurs with the content of the proposed rule, but 
states that the estimate of work hours required to accomplish the 
replacement of the contacts is inaccurate in the proposed AD. The 
commenter states that for airplanes previously modified in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 01, dated December 
24, 1997, or Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998, the replacement of 
contacts would take approximately 12 hours. For airplanes already in 
the process of being modified, the replacement would take approximately 
3 hours.
    The FAA infers that the commenter's estimate includes work hours 
for access and close to replace certain contacts with new contacts for 
previously

[[Page 5740]]

modified airplanes. However, the cost impact information, below, 
describes only the ``direct'' costs of the specific actions required by 
this AD. The number of work hours necessary to accomplish the required 
actions, specified as 2 hours in the cost impact information, was 
provided to the FAA by the manufacturer. This number represents the 
time necessary to perform only the actions actually required by this 
AD. The FAA recognizes that, in accomplishing the requirements of any 
AD, operators may incur ``incidental'' costs in addition to the 
``direct'' costs. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking actions, however, 
typically does not include incidental costs, such as the time required 
to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by 
other administrative actions. No change to the final rule is necessary.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 120 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The modification that is currently required by AD 98-20-10 takes 
approximately 61 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts cost approximately $209 
or $961 per airplane, depending on the modification kit purchased. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the previously required 
actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be as low as $3,869 per 
airplane, or as high as $4,621 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to accomplish the replacement of 
certain contacts that is required in this AD action, it will take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the required replacement on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

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, 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

    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

    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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10777 (63 FR 
50492, September 22, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-11554, to read as follows:

2000-02-36  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11554. Docket 99-NM-254-
AD. Supersedes AD 98-20-10, Amendment 39-10777.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; as 
listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 03, dated 
September 16, 1998; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a simultaneous cutoff of the fuel supply to both 
engines, which could result in a loss of engine power and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 18 months after October 27, 1998 (the effective date 
of AD 98-20-10, amendment 39-10777), relocate the engine/master 1 
relay (11QG) from relay box 103VU to shelf 95VU in the avionics bay, 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, dated March 
26, 1997; Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; Revision 02, dated 
March 9, 1998; or Revision 03, dated September 16, 1998. After the 
effective date of this AD, only Revision 03 shall be used.
    (b) For airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, 
dated March 26, 1997; Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; or 
Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998; has been accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD: Within 500 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the contacts on lines 20 through 
23 in shelf 95VU with new contacts, in accordance with paragraph 
B.(2)(m) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 03, dated September 16, 1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-24-1092,

[[Page 5741]]

dated March 26, 1997; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 
01, dated December 24, 1997; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1092, 
Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
24-1092, Revision 03, dated September 16, 1998; as applicable.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-24-1092, Revision 03, dated September 16, 1998, is approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-24-1092, dated March 26, 1997; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-
1092, Revision 01, dated December 24, 1997; and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-24-1092, Revision 02, dated March 9, 1998, was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Registeras of 
October 27, 1998 (63 FR 50492, September 22, 1998).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point 
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-263-134(B), dated June 30, 1999.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on March 13, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 28, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2403 Filed 2-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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