[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 30124-30125] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-14609] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 98-NM-22-AD; Amendment 39-10410; AD 98-12-05] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Series Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Direct final rule; confirmation of effective date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-111 series airplanes. This amendment requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking around the attachment holes for the access panels in the lower skin of the wing; and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. EFFECTIVE DATE: The direct final rule published at 63 FR 13508 is effective on June 18, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA published this direct final rule with request for comments in the Federal [[Page 30125]] Register on March 20, 1998 (63 FR 13508). The FAA uses the direct final rulemaking procedure for a non-controversial rule where the FAA anticipates that there will be no adverse public comment. This direct final rule advised the public that no adverse comments were anticipated, and that unless a written adverse comment, or a written notice of intent to submit such an adverse comment, was received within the comment period, the regulation would become effective on June 18, 1998. Two comments were received. Both commenters support the rule. However, one of the commenters requests clarification of the applicability of the rule, which is stated in the direct final rule as follows: ``Applicability: Model A320-111 series airplanes, as identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1056, Revision 1, dated July 15, 1997, including Appendix 1; certificated in any category.'' The commenter notes that when an operator is not affected by a service bulletin, that operator only receives a copy of the summary section of the service bulletin. The summary of a service bulletin provides a list of affected operators; it does not provide manufacturer's serial numbers for the affected airplanes. This results in difficulty for an operator, a leasing group, or other non-technical group to evaluate any pending or applicable rules against a specific airplane serial number. Therefore, the commenter proposes that the applicability of the rule reference specific serial numbers for affected airplanes, as follows. ``Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes having manufacturer's serial numbers 002 through 008 inclusive; 010 through 014 inclusive; and 016 through 018 inclusive; certificated in any category.'' The FAA concurs that this AD applies to the airplanes identified by the commenter. The applicability, as presented in the rule, is equivalent to the applicability suggested by the commenter. Therefore, the FAA finds that no change to the rule is necessary. As the commenter points out, those operators that are affected by the rule will receive the entire service bulletin (not just the summary) and will, therefore, be informed of the specific serial numbers to which this AD applies. The same commenter also requests clarification of the cost impact information. The commenter notes that this information specifies that there are 118 Model A320-111 airplanes of U.S. registry. The commenter indicates that only 22 Model A320-100 series airplanes were manufactured, and that none of these are on the U.S. Register. The commenter believes that the number 118 reflects all Model A319 and A320 airplanes on the U.S. Register, and not the actual number of Model A320-100 series airplanes. The commenter adds that Model A319-100 series airplanes are being manufactured, and are on the U.S. Register, but are not considered to be Model A320-100 series airplanes. The FAA concurs with the clarification provided by the commenter. The number of airplanes affected by the direct final rule reflects the FAA's estimation of the total number of Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes currently on the U.S. register. However, no change to the direct final rule is necessary, since it indicates that none of the affected airplanes are on the U.S. Register. No adverse comments were received, and thus this notice confirms that this final rule will become effective on that date. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 27, 1998. John J. Hickey, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-14609 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U