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

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 492-494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-255-AD; Amendment 39-12587; AD 2001-26-21]
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 replacement of the low-pressure solenoid valve 
for the crew oxygen supply with a modified valve. This action is 
necessary to prevent faulty operation of the low-pressure solenoid 
valve for the crew oxygen supply, which could prevent oxygen from being 
supplied to the airplane crew when needed, such as in the event of 
smoke in the cabin or rapid depressurization of the airplane. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 8, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 8, 2002.

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,

[[Page 493]]

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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 
September 25, 2001 (66 FR 48993). That action proposed to require 
replacement of the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen 
supply with a modified valve.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter concurs with the content of the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, 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 111 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided at no 
cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,660, or $60 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, 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:

2001-26-21  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12587. Docket 2001-NM-
255-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; on 
which Modification 21946 (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003) or 
21999 has not been accomplished; certificated in any category.

    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 (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 faulty operation of the low-pressure solenoid valve 
for the oxygen supply, which could prevent oxygen from being 
supplied to the airplane crew when needed, such as in the event of 
smoke in the cabin or rapid depressurization of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the low-pressure solenoid valve, part number (P/N) DVE90-04, 
for the crew oxygen supply with a modified valve, P/N DVE90-05 or 
DVE90-06, as applicable. Do the replacement according to Airbus 
Service Bulletins A320-35-1003, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1993; 
or A320-35-1016, dated July 31, 1996; as applicable.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, refers 
to EROS Service Bulletin DVE90-35-40, dated September 10, 1991, as 
the appropriate source of service information for modifying the low-
pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply.


    Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1016 refers to EROS 
Service Bulletin DVE90-35-49, dated January 31, 1995, as the 
appropriate source of service information for modifying the low-
pressure solenoid valve for the oxygen supply.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a low-pressure oxygen valve, part number DVE90-04, on any airplane.

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 4: 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, dated January 28,

[[Page 494]]

1993; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1016, dated July 31, 1996; 
as applicable. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, 
dated January 28, 1993, contains the following effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Revision level
             Page No.                shown on page    Date shown on page
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1-3, 5...........................  1...............  Jan. 28, 1993.
4, 6.............................  Original........  Aug. 26, 1991.
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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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-237(B) R1, dated July 25, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 26, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-8 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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