Airworthiness directives: Airbus,

[Federal Register: June 19, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 117)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 35220-35222]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr19jn06-24]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25060; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-119-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A321 Airplanes

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

[[Page 35221]]

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed AD:

DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.

Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.

Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Hand delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in the proposed AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance of ADs related to MCAI. We are prototyping this process and specifically request your comments on its use. You can find more information in FAA draft Order 8040.2, ``Airworthiness Directive Process for Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information,'' which is currently open for comments at http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs.

This streamlined process will allow us to adopt MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce safety risks to the public.

This process continues to follow all existing AD issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to follow our technical decision-making processes in all aspects to meet our responsibilities to determine and correct unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.

This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language principles.

The comment period for this proposed AD is open for 30 days to allow time for comments on both the process and the AD content. In the future, ADs using this process will have a 15-day comment period, because the airworthiness authority and manufacturer have already published the documents on which we based our decision, making a longer comment period unnecessary.

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, Docket No. FAA- 2006-25060; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-119-AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We are also inviting comments, views, or arguments on the new MCAI process. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov , including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has issued French Airworthiness Directive F-2005-155, dated August 31, 2005 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that some cases of slide damage and deflation have been reported during deployment tests at doors 2 and 3 of the A321. Analysis has shown that the slide may inflate too fast compared to the associated door release. If there is a delay during the opening of the door, the inflatable slide may exercise pressure on this not yet opened door, which could result in damage to the inflatable slide. A slide not inflated correctly may disrupt passenger emergency evacuation. The MCAI renders mandatory the removal of one of the two inflating vacuums in order to reduce the speed of the slide inflation. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the docket.

Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1416, dated May 20, 2005. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

This product is manufactured outside the United States and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the State of Design's airworthiness authority has notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We have examined the airworthiness authority's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on all products of this type design. We are issuing this proposed AD to correct the unsafe condition.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable in a U.S. court of law. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These proposed requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would

[[Page 35222]]

affect about 37 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 5 work hours per product to do the actions and that the average labor rate is $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $370 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no change for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $28,490, or $770 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies 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 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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed regulation:

  1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

  2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

    Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket

    Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

    The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

    PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

  4. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

    Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

  5. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

    Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2006-25060; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM- 119-AD.

    Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by July 19, 2006.

    Affected ADs

    (b) None.

    Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus A321 aircraft, all certified models and serial numbers that are equipped with escape slides, part number (P/N) 62292-105, 62292-106, 62293-105, or 62293-106. Aircraft on which no modification/replacement of escape slides at doors 2 and 3 has been performed since embodiment of Airbus Modification 34989 in production are not affected by the requirements of this AD.

    Reason

    (d) Some cases of slide damage and deflation have been reported during deployment tests at doors 2 and 3 of the A321. Analysis has shown that the slide may inflate too fast compared to the associated door release. If there is a delay during the opening of the door, the inflatable slide may exercise pressure on this not yet opened door, which could result in damage to the inflatable slide. A slide not inflated correctly may disrupt passenger emergency evacuation. For such reason, this AD renders mandatory the removal of one of the two inflating vacuums in order to reduce the speed of the slide inflation.

    Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions except as stated in paragraph (f) below: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the slides, P/N 62292-105, 62292-106, 62293- 105, or 62293-106, in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1416, dated May 20, 2005.

    FAA AD Differences

    (f) None.

    Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Safety Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    (2) Notification of Principal Inspector: Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

    (3) Return to Airworthiness: When complying with this AD, perform FAA-approved corrective actions before returning the product to an airworthy condition.

    (4) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

    Related Information

    (h)(1) This AD is related to MCAI French airworthiness directive F-2005-155, dated August 31, 2005, which references Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1416, dated May 20, 2005, for information on required actions.

    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1416, dated May 20, 2005, refers to Air Cruisers Service Bulletin, S.B. A321 005-25-15, dated May 30, 2005, as an additional source of service information for modifying the escape slides.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 9, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

    [FR Doc. 06-5502 Filed 6-16-06; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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