Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56158-56159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26864]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-94-AD; Amendment 39-11375; AD 99-21-29]
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 
modification of the autopilot mode engagement/disengagement lever of 
the rudder artificial feel unit. This amendment is prompted by issuance 
of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane due to the failure 
of the rudder artificial feel unit to properly disengage from autopilot 
mode during approach and landing.

DATES: Effective November 22, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, Customer Services Directorate, 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 July 26, 1999 (64 FR 
40319). That action proposed to require modification of the autopilot 
mode engagement/disengagement lever of the rudder artificial feel unit.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the four comments received.
    Two commenters indicate that they are not affected by the proposed 
rule.
    Two commenters support the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
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 17 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the actions, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,120, or $360 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:

[[Page 56159]]

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:

99-21-29  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11375. Docket 99-NM-94-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, except airplanes on which Airbus Industrie Modification 
22624 has been accomplished or on which Modification 21999 was 
accomplished in production.

    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 reduced controllability of the airplane due to the 
failure of the rudder artificial feel unit to properly disengage 
from autopilot mode, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the rudder artificial feel unit in accordance with Airbus Industrie 
Service Bulletin A320-27-1042, Revision 3, dated April 7, 1999.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the modification, prior to the 
effective date of this AD, in accordance with Airbus Industrie 
Service Bulletin A320-27-1042, dated March 21, 1992, Revision 1, 
dated June 6, 1998, or Revision 2, dated November 4, 1998, is 
considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this 
AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an artificial feel unit having part number D2727040000600, 
D2727040000651, D2727040000800, or D2727040000851 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, 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 3: 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 modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A320-27-1042, Revision 3, dated April 7, 
1999, which contains the following list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Revision
                                   level
            Page No.              shown on       Date shown on page
                                    page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-4............................          3  April 7, 1999.
5-7............................          2  November 4, 1998.
8-11...........................          1  June 12, 1998.
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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, Customer 
Services Directorate, 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-075-128(B), dated February 24, 1999.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 22, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 7, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26864 Filed 10-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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