Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49654-49656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24872]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-26-AD; Amendment 39-10764; AD 98-19-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 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 A320 series airplanes, that requires 
replacement of the existing mounting rack for the Digital Flight Data 
Recorder (DFDR) with a new rack having improved damping, and 
installation of a new bracket for re-routing the wiring harness. This 
amendment is prompted

[[Page 49655]]

by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a 
foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent the possible loss of data recorded on the DFDR 
as a result of vibrations and/or accelerations during flight.

DATES: Effective October 22, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 22, 1998.

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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; 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 A320 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 20, 1998 (63 
FR 13576). That action proposed to require replacement of the existing 
mounting rack for the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) with a new 
rack having improved damping, and installation of a new bracket for re-
routing the wiring harness.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
comments received.
    One commenter supports the proposed rule.
    One commenter (an operator) proposes an additional method of 
compliance to the proposed rule that would specify replacement of the 
DFDR with a Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) within 15 months 
after the effective date of the AD. The operator states that it is in 
the process of replacing all DFDR's in its fleet with SSFDR's. The 
operator also includes supporting data that show the current version of 
the Airbus Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) incorrectly refers to the 
SSFDR as a DFDR. Since this incorrect reference may be confusing to 
operators, the commenter proposes the additional method of compliance 
to the proposal. The commenter points out that the manufacturer 
recognizes that installation of a SSFDR eliminates the need to 
accomplish the actions required by the proposed rule.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to revise the 
method of compliance with the requirements of the AD. However, the FAA 
concurs with the fact that, if an airplane is equipped with SSFDR's, 
there is no need to perform the actions required by this AD. Therefore, 
the FAA has revised the applicability of the AD to reflect only 
airplanes equipped with LORAL DFDR's having a specific part number. 
This more definitive applicability will clarify that the requirements 
of the AD do not encompass those airplanes equipped with SSFDR's.

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 with the change described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be furnished by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,920, or 
$180 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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:

98-19-23  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10764. Docket 98-NM-26-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes; equipped with a 
LORAL Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) F800 [part number (P/N) 
17M800-251/-261], and on which Airbus Modification 24959 (Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-31-1088, Revision 1, dated September 16, 1996) 
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.


[[Page 49656]]


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the possible loss of data recorded on the DFDR as a 
result of vibrations and/or accelerations during flight, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the existing DFDR vibration mounting rack, install a new rack having 
improved damping, and install a new bracket for re-routing of the 
cable harness, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31-
1088, Revision 2, dated September 16, 1996.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a DFDR rack having part number 404-050L1DPX2-1 or V2E2433L07F, on 
any airplane.
    (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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-31-1088, Revision 2, dated September 16, 1996. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 96-272-098(B)R1, dated January 2, 1997.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 22, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24872 Filed 9-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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