Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 56 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13685-13686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5213]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26595; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-208-AD; 
Amendment 39-14998; AD 2007-06-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series 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 A320 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing 
the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) actuator fittings of the 
rudder with aluminum actuator fittings and doing related investigative 
and corrective actions. This AD results from rupture of a CFRP actuator 
fitting during maintenance. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture 
of a rudder actuator fitting, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 27, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of April 27, 
2007.

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, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model 
A320 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
on December 15, 2006 (71 FR 75432). That NPRM proposed to require 
replacing the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) actuator fittings 
of the rudder with aluminum actuator fittings and doing related 
investigative and corrective actions.

Comments

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

Support for the NPRM

    Airbus supports the NPRM.

Request To Revise Discussion Section

    In the Discussion section of the NPRM, we stated that investigation 
revealed that the CFRP actuator fittings cannot sustain limit loads 
resulting from ground gust conditions due to design of the fitting. 
Airbus requests that we revise that statement to clarify that the CFRP 
actuator fittings ``on the rudder side'' cannot sustain limit 
``compression'' loads resulting from ground gust conditions due to 
design of the fitting. We agree with Airbus' statement. However, we 
have not changed the AD in this regard, since the Discussion section is 
not retained in the final rule.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD 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.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 38 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required 
action takes about 100 work hours per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts cost about $6,310 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. 
operators is $543,780, or $14,310 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

[[Page 13686]]

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;
    (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):

2007-06-17 Airbus: Amendment 39-14998. Docket No. FAA-2006-26595; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-208-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 27, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus 
Modification 21733 or 21999 has been incorporated in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from rupture of a carbon fiber reinforced 
plastic (CFRP) actuator fitting during maintenance. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent rupture of a rudder actuator fitting, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

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.

Replacement of Rudder Actuator Fittings

    (f) Within 9,000 flight cycles or 12,000 flight hours, or 60 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: 
Replace all of the CFRP actuator fittings of the rudder with 
aluminum actuator fittings and do all the related investigative 
actions, by accomplishing all of the actions specified in 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1030, 
dated March 6, 2006. Do any applicable corrective actions before 
further flight in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(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) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Related Information

    (h) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive 
2006-0262, dated August 25, 2006, also addresses the subject of this 
AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-55-1030, dated 
March 6, 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 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 13, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-5213 Filed 3-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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