Airworthiness directives: Airbus,
[Federal Register: June 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 121)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36476-36479]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jn05-5]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20166; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-175-AD; Amendment 39-14135; AD 2005-12-19]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the cargo ventilation extraction duct at frame 65 with a new duct, and relocating the temperature sensor in the aft cargo compartment. This AD is prompted by a report indicating that, during a test of the fire extinguishing system, air leakage around the temperature sensor for the aft cargo compartment reduced the concentration of fire extinguishing agent to below the level required to suppress a fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent air leakage around the temperature sensor for the aft cargo compartment, which, in the event of a fire in the aft cargo compartment, could result in an insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent, and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress the fire.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 29, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 29, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final disposition. You can 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 U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20166; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-175-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an AD for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on January 31, 2005 (70 FR 4789), proposed to require replacing the cargo ventilation extraction duct at frame 65 with a new duct, and relocating the temperature sensor in the aft cargo compartment.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the comments from a single commenter that have been submitted on the proposed AD.
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Request To Reference Revised Service Information
The commenter requests that we change the proposed AD to refer to Airbus Service Bulletin A320-21-1141, Revision 01, dated December 17, 2004. The proposed AD refers to Airbus Service Bulletin A320-21-1141, dated April 7, 2004, as the acceptable source of service information for the accomplishment of the proposed actions.
We agree with the commenter's request. The procedures in Revision 01 of the referenced service bulletin are essentially the same as those in the original issue. Accordingly, we have revised paragraph (f) of this AD to refer to Revision 01 of the service bulletin as the appropriate source of service information for accomplishing the required actions. We have also added a new paragraph (g) (and re- identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly) to state that modifications accomplished before the effective date of this AD per the original issue of the service bulletin are acceptable for compliance with this AD.
Request To Reference Related Service Information
The commenter notes that Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1124, Revision 01, dated December 17, 2004, is mentioned in the referenced French airworthiness directive and the referenced service information. The commenter states that Service Bulletin A320-52-1124 is also considered necessary to accomplish the restriction of airflow through the aft cargo compartment. The commenter adds that since airworthiness directives are issued to address safety concerns, and not portions of a safety concern, both modifications should be mandated in this proposed AD. The commenter states that combining these requirements into one AD also provides the added benefit of a central reference point in the case that an operator may need to make a future determination on whether the safety concern was fully addressed on an airplane or fleet of airplanes. The commenter adds that issuing separate ADs for the same safety concern seems to complicate the process.
We acknowledge the commenter's request; however, Service Bulletin A320-52-1124 was referenced in another rulemaking action, which was issued on February 22, 2005 (Docket No. FAA-2005-20453; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-270-AD). That proposed AD was issued in response to French airworthiness directive F-2004-172, dated October 27, 2004. That proposed AD would require replacing the water drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors with new valves. The proposed compliance time is 6 months. In light of the fact that the compliance times are different, and the actions were addressed in two separate French airworthiness directives, the rulemaking actions will not be combined. No change to the AD is made in this regard.
Request To Change Compliance Time
The commenter states that it agrees with the need to accomplish the proposed changes to meet airworthiness standards; however, it has not seen any data that lend this issue a high degree of urgency. The commenter recommends that the compliance time specified in the proposed AD be changed to the next heavy maintenance visit or S-check, instead of the 24-month compliance time. The commenter adds that this change would reduce the economic impact to operators, such as the commenter, who would be forced to take airplanes out of revenue service in order to meet the 24-month window.
We do not agree with the commenter. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, we considered the safety implications, operators' normal maintenance schedules, and the compliance time recommended by the airplane manufacturer for the timely accomplishment of the required actions. The compliance time of 24 months after the effective date of this AD is based on airplane utilization overall, and is consistent with the compliance time specified in the French airworthiness directive. In addition, the operator provided no data to indicate that a compliance time extension will ensure safety. In consideration of these items, we have determined that compliance within 24 months after the effective date of this AD will provide an acceptable level of safety and is an appropriate interval of time wherein the required actions can be accomplished during scheduled maintenance intervals for the majority of affected operators. However, according to the provisions of paragraph (h) of this AD, we may approve a request to adjust the compliance time if the request includes data that justify that a different compliance time would provide an acceptable level of safety. No change to the AD is made in this regard.
Request To Change Costs of Compliance Section
The commenter disagrees with the labor estimates specified in the proposed AD. The commenter states that the FAA has reduced the estimates in the original issue of the referenced service bulletin by approximately one-third. The commenter adds that the airplane manufacturer typically underestimates, rather than overestimates, manpower requirements for repair and modification service bulletins. The commenter recommends that the FAA consider the average estimate of 51.3 work hours, as specified in the referenced service bulletin, to be a minimum labor cost; however, 75 work hours per airplane is a better estimate for accomplishing the actions specified in the referenced service information.
We do not agree that it is necessary to change the work hours in this AD. This number represents the time necessary to perform only the actions actually required by the AD. The actions in this final rule reflect only the direct costs of the specific required actions based on the best data available from the manufacturer. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking actions typically does not include incidental costs such as the time required to gain access and close up, time necessary for planning, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. Those incidental costs, which may vary significantly among operators, are almost impossible to calculate. The compliance time in this AD should allow ample time for operators to do the required actions at the same time as scheduled major airplane inspection and maintenance activities, which would reduce the additional time and costs associated with special scheduling. No change to the AD is made in this regard.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. This change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.
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Estimated Costs
Number of U.S.- Action
Work hours Average labor
Parts
Cost per airplane registered
Fleet cost rate per hour
airplanes
Replacement of duct/relocation of
34
$65 Between $7,000 and Between $9,210 and
643 Between $5,922,030 temperature sensor in aft cargo
$11,640.
$13,850.
and $8,905,550. compartment.
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;
(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. 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2005-12-19 Airbus: Amendment 39-14135. Docket No. FAA-2005-20166; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-175-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective July 29, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Applicability
But not having Having the Or the following the following following Airbus Airbus service
Airbus Airbus model
modification
bulletin
modification installed in incorporated in installed in production--
service--
production--
A319 series airplanes..................................
24486 A320-21-1140
32616 A320 series airplanes..................................
20084 A320-21-1048
32616 A321 series airplanes..................................
22596
(\1\)
32616
\1\ Not applicable.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report that, during a test of the fire extinguishing system, air leakage around the temperature sensor for the aft cargo compartment reduced the concentration of fire extinguishing agent to below the level required to suppress a fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent air leakage around the temperature sensor for the aft cargo compartment, which, in the event of a fire in the aft cargo compartment, could result in an insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent, and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress the 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.
Relocation of Aft Cargo Compartment Temperature Sensor
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace the ventilation extraction duct with a new duct and relocate the aft cargo compartment temperature sensor by accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-21-1141, Revision 01, dated December 17, 2004.
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Credit for Actions Done per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(g) Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-21-1141, dated April 7, 2004, are acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) 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.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-123, dated July 21, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-21-1141, Revision 01, dated December 17, 2004, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service information, go to 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 June 14, 2005. Kevin M. Mullin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12312 Filed 6-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
