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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40866-40867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19250]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-383-AD; Amendment 39-12357; AD 2001-15-22]
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, that requires modifications of route segregation between the 
low voltage wire bundles of the fuel quantity indicating system and the 
high voltage wire bundles of the ground power control unit. This 
amendment is prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
from a civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent injection of 115 volt alternating current (VAC) 
into 28 volt direct current (VDC) wire bundles, which could result in 
high voltage conditions within the fuel tank and the potential for 
damage to equipment, electrical arcing, and fuel vapor ignition on the 
ground. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective September 10, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-92-
1007, Revision 02, dated August 4, 2000, as listed in the regulations, 
is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 10, 
2001.

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: 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 May 
15, 2001 (66 FR 26815). That action proposed to require modifications 
of route segregation between the low voltage wire bundles of the fuel 
quantity indicating system and the high voltage wire bundles of the 
ground power control unit.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. 
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 291 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 24 to 42 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required modifications, depending 
on the wiring configuration of the airplane, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$1,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $797,340 and $1,111,620, 
or between $2,740 and $3,820 per airplane.
    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,

[[Page 40867]]

planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-15-22  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12357. Docket 2000-NM-
383-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; 
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus Industrie 
Modification 28289 has been installed.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (b) 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 injection of 115 volt alternating current (VAC) into 
28 volt direct current (VDC) wire bundles, which could result in 
high voltage conditions within the fuel tank and the potential for 
damage to equipment, electrical arcing, and fuel vapor ignition on 
the ground, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, install 
additional protective conduits and new supports to ensure physical 
route segregation between the low voltage wire bundles of the fuel 
quantity indicating system (FQIS) and the high voltage wire bundles 
of the ground power control unit (GPCU), in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-92-1007, Revision 02, dated August 4, 2000.

    Note 2: Modifications accomplished prior to the effective date 
of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-92-1007, 
dated January 12, 2000; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-92-1007, 
Revision 01, dated June 29, 2000; are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the applicable actions specified in this amendment.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send them to the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: 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

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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

    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-92-1007, Revision 02, dated August 4, 2000. 
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. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2000-407-150(B), dated September 20, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 10, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 25, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-19250 Filed 8-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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