Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 160 (Friday, August 18, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47706-47707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13445]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23889; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-252-AD; 
Amendment 39-14714; AD 2006-16-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD 
requires inspecting to determine the part number of the twin motor 
actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary. This AD results from a report of a low pressure valve of the 
twin motor actuator found partially open, although the valve detection 
system indicated that the valve was closed. Investigation revealed that 
the locating pin in the actuator was too short to engage with the valve 
slot, resulting in incorrect alignment of the actuator and the drive 
assembly, causing the valve to remain partially open. We are issuing 
this AD to ensure that, in the event of an engine fire, the valve 
actuator functions properly to block the fuel flow to the engine and 
prevent an uncontrollable fire.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 22, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of September 22, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-5356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket 
Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the 
plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. That supplemental 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2006 (71 FR 
28825). That supplemental NPRM proposed to require inspecting to 
determine the part number of the twin motor actuators, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That supplemental 
NPRM also proposed to revise the original NPRM by expanding the 
applicability.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the single comment received.

Request To Add Revised Service Information to Applicability Section

    Airbus advises that the service bulletin specified in the 
supplemental NPRM has been revised. Airbus notes that Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated April 
11, 2006 (the original issue of the service bulletin was referenced in 
the supplemental NPRM for accomplishing the specified actions), changes 
the recommended status of the original issue to mandatory in Revision 
01.
    We agree with Airbus. We have reviewed Revision 01 of the service 
bulletin and note that it does not necessitate additional work. We have 
revised paragraph (f) of the AD to reflect Revision 01 of the service 
bulletin. In addition, we have added a new paragraph (g) to this AD 
specifying that accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (f) of 
the AD in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin is 
considered to be an acceptable method of compliance. Subsequent 
paragraphs of the AD have been re-identified accordingly.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
These changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 763 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
inspection takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost 
of this AD on U.S. operators is $61,040, or $80 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;

[[Page 47707]]

    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-16-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-14714. Docket No. FAA-2006-23889; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-252-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 22, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
airplanes, certificated in any category, except airplanes having 
manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 2155 and subsequent.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of a low pressure valve of the 
twin motor actuator found partially open, although the valve 
detection system indicated that the valve was closed. Investigation 
revealed that the locating pin in the actuator was too short to 
engage with the valve slot, resulting in incorrect alignment of the 
actuator and the drive assembly, causing the valve to remain 
partially open. We are issuing this AD to ensure that, in the event 
of an engine fire, the valve actuator functions properly to block 
the fuel flow to the engine and prevent an uncontrollable fire.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection/Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 6,000 flight hours or 24 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is first: Inspect to determine the part 
number (P/N) of the twin motor actuators in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, 
dated April 11, 2006.
    (1) For airplanes having any actuator with P/N FRH010041 or P/N 
FRH010034, no further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) For airplanes having any actuator with P/N HTE190001-2, 
where the actuator serial number is not identified in Appendix 01 of 
the service bulletin, no further action is required by this 
paragraph.
    (3) For airplanes having any actuator with P/N HTE190001 or 
HTE190001-1, do all applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions before further flight, in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (4) For airplanes have any actuator with P/N HTE190001-2, where 
the actuator serial number is identified in Appendix 01 of the 
service bulletin, do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions before further flight, in accordance with the 
service bulletin.

    Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, dated 
April 11, 2006, refers to FR-HiTEMP Service Bulletin HTE190001-28-
003, dated March 30, 2004, as an additional source of service 
information for determining the P/N of the twin motor actuators and 
accomplishing any related investigative and corrective actions.

Acceptable for Compliance

    (g) Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (f) of 
this AD before the effective date of this AD in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, including Appendix 01, dated 
November 19, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of that paragraph.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD: No person may install 
an actuator with P/N HTE190001, HTE190001-1, or HTE190001-2, and a 
serial number identified in Appendix 01 of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-28-1122, Revision 01, dated April 11, 2006, on any airplane 
unless all applicable related investigative and corrective actions 
have been done in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 
(f)(3) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-189, dated November 
23, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated April 11, 2006, to perform the 
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point 
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this 
service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 3, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13445 Filed 8-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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