Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 59 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15661-15663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6580]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-339-AD; Amendment 39-13539; AD 2004-06-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 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 and A320 series 
airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to detect 
cracking and delamination of the containers in which the off-wing 
emergency evacuation slides are stored, and corrective actions if 
necessary. That AD also requires eventual modifications of the slides, 
which terminates the requirement for repetitive inspections. This 
action removes the currently required repetitive inspections, and 
requires an additional modification of the off-wing emergency 
evacuation slides. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent the loss of the emergency evacuation slides during flight, 
which could result in damage to the fuselage, and to prevent incorrect 
inflation of the emergency evacuation slides, which could result in the 
emergency exits being unusable during an emergency evacuation. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 30, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 30, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain other publication was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
February 1, 2000 (64 FR 72533, December 28, 1999).

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 Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

[[Page 15662]]

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1503; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 99-26-22, 
amendment 39-11481 (64 FR 72533, December 28,1999), which is applicable 
to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, was published 
in the Federal Register on January 5, 2004 (69 FR 291). The action 
proposed to require removing the currently required repetitive 
inspections, and would require an additional modification of the off-
wing emergency evacuation slides.

Comment

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

Conclusion

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

Cost Impact

    The modification per Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 
02, is currently required by AD 99-26-22, which is applicable to 
approximately 121 airplanes of U.S. registry. This modification takes 
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish (not including 
time for gaining access and closing up), at an average labor rate of 
$65 per work hour. The cost of required parts is now approximately $679 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this current 
requirement is estimated to be $105,754, or $874 per airplane.
    The new requirements of this AD would affect approximately 435 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The new actions that are required in this AD action will take 
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$80 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new 
actions is estimated to be $119,625, or $275 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. 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 removing amendment 39-11481 (64 FR 
72533, December 28, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-13539, to read as follows:

2004-06-13 Airbus: Amendment 39-13539. Docket 2001-NM-339-AD. 
Supersedes AD 99-26-22, Amendment 39-11481.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except airplanes that have Airbus 
Modifications 24850 and 25844 and 27275 installed in production; or 
that have Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999; or Revision 02, dated October 26, 1999; and Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-25-1265, dated June 6, 2001; accomplished.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the loss of the emergency evacuation slides during 
flight, which could result in damage to the fuselage, and to prevent 
incorrect inflation of the emergency evacuation slides, which could 
result in the emergency exits being unusable during an emergency 
evacuation, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 99-26-22

Terminating Modification

    (a) For airplanes on which Airbus Modifications 24850 and 25844; 
or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated February 
2, 1999; or Revision 02, dated October 26, 1999; have not been 
accomplished: Within 5 years after February 1, 2000 (the effective 
date of AD 99-26-22, amendment 39-11481), modify the off-wing 
emergency evacuation slides (i.e., modifications, inspection, 
repair, and repacking) in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999; or Revision 02, 
dated October 26, 1999. After the effective date of this AD, only 
Revision 02 may be used.

    Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999, and Revision 02, dated October 26, 1999; refer to 
Air Cruisers Service Bulletins 004-25-37, Revision 2, dated May 29, 
1996, and 004-25-42, dated September 16, 1996; as additional sources 
of service information for accomplishment of the modification of the 
off-wing escape slides.

New Requirements of this AD

    (b) For airplanes listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1265, dated June 6, 2001: Within 3 years after the effective date of 
this AD, modify the left and right off-wing emergency evacuation 
slides in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of that 
service bulletin.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1265, dated June 6, 
2001, refers to Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 004-25-48, Revision 3, 
dated August 3, 2001, as an additional source of service information 
for accomplishment of the modification of the off-wing emergency 
evacuation slides.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, an off-wing emergency evacuation slide having part 
number D31865-101, -102, -103, -104, -105, -106, -107, or -108.

[[Page 15663]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, 
Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
25-1156, Revision 02, dated October 26, 1999; and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1265, dated June 6, 2001; as applicable.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1156, Revision 02, dated October 26, 1999; and Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-25-1265, dated June 6, 2001; 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 
A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999, was approved 
previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 1, 
2000 (64 FR 72533, December 28, 1999).
    (3) 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 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 2001-380(B), dated September 5, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 30, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 16, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-6580 Filed 3-25-04; 8:45 am]
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