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

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 153 (Friday, August 8, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47216-47218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19982]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-16-AD; Amendment 39-13260; AD 2003-16-07]
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 equipped with certain cockpit lateral fixed windows 
manufactured by PPG Aerospace. This amendment requires detailed 
repetitive inspections of the cockpit lateral fixed windows to detect 
moisture ingression and delamination, and follow-on/corrective actions, 
as applicable. This AD also provides for an optional terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent moisture ingression and delamination of the cockpit 
lateral fixed windows, which could result in the loss of the outer 
glass ply, and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to people 
or damage to property on the ground. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 12, 2003. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of September 12, 2003.

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 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.

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 equipped with certain cockpit lateral fixed 
windows manufactured by PPG Aerospace was published in the Federal 
Register on April 11, 2003 (68 FR 17757). That action proposed to 
require detailed repetitive inspections of the cockpit lateral fixed 
windows to detect moisture ingression and delamination, and follow-on/
corrective actions, as applicable. That action also proposed an 
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. A single comment which concurred with 
the proposed AD was submitted.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule as proposed. However, the language in the Summary and the 
Supplementary Information sections of this preamble has been revised to 
clarify that ``detailed repetition inspections'' rather than ``a 
detailed inspection,'' are required until the optional terminating 
action is accomplished.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Cost Impact

    After the proposed AD was issued, we reviewed the figures we use to 
calculate the labor rate to do the required actions. To account for 
various inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it 
appropriate to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from 
$60 per work hour to $65 per work hour. The economic impact information 
below has been revised to reflect this increase in the specified hourly 
labor rate.
    The FAA estimates that 36 Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the detailed 
inspections to identify moisture ingression of certain identified 
cockpit

[[Page 47217]]

lateral fixed windows, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $4,680, or $130 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-16-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-13260. Docket 2002-NM-16-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, equipped with PPG Aerospace cockpit 
lateral fixed windows having part number (P/N) NP-165313-1 or NP-
165313-2, and having a serial number (S/N) below 95001H0001 (PPG 
Aerospace manufacturing date before January 1, 1995).

    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 moisture ingression and delamination of the cockpit 
lateral fixed windows, which could result in the loss of the outer 
glass ply and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to people 
or damage to property on the ground, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspections and Replacement, if Necessary

    (a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a detailed inspection to detect urethane degradation or 
delamination of the outer glass ply; per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1009, Revision 01, 
including Appendix 01, dated July 4, 2002.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

    (1) If no urethane degradation or delamination is found: 
Accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or 
(a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, until the 
replacement specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this AD has been 
accomplished; or
    (ii) Within 500 flight hours after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD: Replace the cockpit lateral fixed windows 
with new windows having P/N NP-165313-1 or NP-165313-2, and S/N 
95001H0001 or above (PPG Aerospace manufacturing date January 1, 
1995, or after); or with new windows having P/N NP-165313-3 or NP-
165313-4; per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin. Accomplishment of the replacement terminates the 
requirements of this AD.
    (2) If any urethane degradation is found: Within 50 flight hours 
after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, 
accomplish the replacement specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this 
AD.
    (3) If any delamination is found: Before further flight, measure 
the length of the delamination per the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the service bulletin.
    (i) If the length of the delamination is less than or equal to 
1.0 inch (25.4 millimeters (mm)): Accomplish the actions specified 
in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (ii) If the length of the delamination is greater than 1.0 inch 
(25.4 mm): Within 50 flight hours after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this AD.


    Note 3: The Airbus service bulletin references PPG Aerospace 
Service Bulletin NP-165313-56-001, dated May 15, 2001, as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishing the 
applicable actions required by this AD.

Actions Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (b) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD, 
per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1009, dated August 30, 2001, are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the actions required by 
this AD.

Information Collection

    (c) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit information the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 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

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199

[[Page 47218]]

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

    (f) Unless otherwise specified, the actions shall be done in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-56-1009, Revision 01, 
including Appendix 01, dated July 4, 2002. 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 2001-632(B), dated December 26, 2001.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 12, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 31, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19982 Filed 8-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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