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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34559-34560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13701]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-63-AD; Amendment 39-13680; AD 2004-12-19]
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. This AD requires replacement of a certain transformer 
rectifier unit (TRU) with a certain new TRU. This action is necessary 
to prevent ignition of the input filter capacitors of the TRU in 
position 2 of the avionics compartment, which could potentially result 
in smoke in the cockpit. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 27, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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 National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 
January 29, 2004 (69 FR 4255). That action proposed to require 
replacement of a certain transformer rectifier unit (TRU) with a 
certain new TRU.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. The FAA has duly considered the 
comments received.

Support for the Proposed AD

    Two commenters support the proposed AD.

Request To Revise Reference to Parallel French Airworthiness Directive

    One commenter requests that we revise Note 1 of the proposed AD to 
refer to French airworthiness directive 2002-554(B), dated November 13, 
2002, instead of 2002-544(B). We concur. The reference to French 
airworthiness directive 2002-544(B) in Note 1 of the proposed AD was a 
typographical error. The preamble of the proposed AD correctly referred 
to 2002-554(B). We have revised Note 1 of this final rule accordingly.

Request To Revise Cost Impact Estimate

    One commenter requests that we revise the cost impact estimate from 
1 work hour to 3 work hours. The commenter's rationale is that the time 
necessary for the modification of the affected TRU should be included 
in the cost impact estimate.
    We do not concur. The cost impact figures discussed in AD 
rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the 
specific actions actually required by the AD. This AD requires 
replacement of a certain TRU with a certain new TRU. The intent of this 
AD may be done through a modification of the TRU, which may be done by 
the operator or by a qualified vendor, or the intent may be done 
through installation of a new TRU. For this reason, we find that it is 
not appropriate to include the time for modification of the TRU in the 
cost impact estimate for this AD. No change to the final rule is 
necessary in this regard.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the change described previously. 
We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic 
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 553 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 actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the airplane 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $35,945, or 
$65 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

[[Page 34560]]

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:

2004-12-19 Airbus: Amendment 39-13680. Docket 2003-NM-63-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 30737 has been accomplished in production (reference 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02, dated February 
11, 2003, in service).
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent ignition of the input filter capacitors of the 
transformer rectifier unit (TRU) in position 2 of the avionics 
compartment, which could potentially result in smoke in the cockpit, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total flight hours, or 
within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, replace the TRU, part number Y005-2, with a new TRU, 
part number Y005-3, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, Revision 02, 
dated February 11, 2003.
    (b) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, dated March 5, 2002; or 
Revision 01, dated July 26, 2002; are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD no person shall install 
a TRU, part number Y005-2, within position 2 of the avionics 
compartment on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1099, 
Revision 02, dated February 11, 2003. 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, 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 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-554(B), dated November 13, 2002.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 27, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 9, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13701 Filed 6-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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