[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 81 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20952-20954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10343]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-421-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320,
and
[[Page 20953]]
A321 series airplanes. This proposal would require performing a general
visual inspection of the outer handle flap mechanisms of the passenger
doors for the presence of corrosion inhibitor and for correct
operation; cleaning, if necessary; and greasing. This action is
necessary to prevent blockage of the outer handle flap in an
intermediate pushed-in position, which may prevent a passenger door
from opening from the inside of the airplane, thereby delaying an
emergency evacuation. This action is intended to address the identified
unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 29, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-421-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-421-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2000-NM-421-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2000-NM-421-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, on one Model A320 series airplane,
one passenger door was found impossible to open from the inside of the
airplane. From the outside of the airplane, the outer handle flap
assembly was found in an intermediate pushed-in position, preventing
the door from opening from the inside. No grease could be seen on the
handle mechanism, indicating that the greasing operation had not been
performed in production on that airplane, which was recently delivered.
Greasing of the outer handle mechanism restored normal operation.
Further investigation, performed in production, showed abnormal
presence of corrosion inhibitor on the outer handle mechanism on some
airplanes, although no corrosion inhibitor was found on the outer
handle of the above affected airplane. The presence of corrosion
inhibitor on the outer handle mechanism, while not expected to cause
the blockage, is considered to be an additional contributing factor.
The lack of proper greasing, if not corrected, could prevent a
passenger door from opening from the inside of the airplane, thereby
resulting in a delay in evacuation during emergency conditions.
The subject area on certain Model A319 and A321 series airplanes is
almost identical to that on the affected Model A320 series airplanes.
Therefore, those Model A319 and A321 series airplanes may be subject to
the same unsafe condition revealed on the Model A320 series airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-52A1106, dated
September 28, 2000, which describes procedures for performing a one-
time general visual inspection of the outer handle flap mechanisms of
the passenger doors for the presence of corrosion inhibitor and for
correct operation; cleaning, if necessary; and greasing of the four
main passenger doors. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
AOT is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
The DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directive 2000-519-158(B), dated December 13, 2000, in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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 airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or
[[Page 20954]]
develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the
United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the
actions specified in the AOT described previously.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Foreign AD
The proposed AD would differ from the parallel French airworthiness
directive in that it would not specify performance of Maintenance
Review Board (MRB) Task 52-10-00, Item 3, as an alternative means of
compliance with this proposed AD. The FAA has determined that the
applicable AOT provides more precise and detailed procedures for
performing the actions required to address the identified unsafe
condition.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 63 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$3,780, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD.
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
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:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 2000-NM-421-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, up
to and including manufacturer's serial number (MSN) 1261,
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 (b) 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 blockage of the outer door handle flap in an
intermediate pushed-in position, which may prevent a passenger door
from opening from the inside of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Inspection and Corrective Action
(a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time general visual inspection of the outer handle
flap mechanisms of the passenger doors for the presence of corrosion
inhibitor and for correct operation; remove any corrosion inhibitor,
grease the doors, and check that the flap comes back correctly,
flush with the door skin, when the handle is in the closed position;
in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-54A1106,
dated September 28, 2000.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 other approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(c) 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2000-519-158(B), dated December 13, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 19, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10343 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
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