[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 52 (Friday, March 18, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13094-13095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5140]
[[Page 13094]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19264; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-90-AD;
Amendment 39-14014; AD 2005-06-06]
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 modification of certain auxiliary power unit (APU) alternating
current (AC) generators. This AD is prompted by a report of an
explosion in the APU compartment, which blew open the compartment
doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent oil vapor leakage from the APU
AC generator, which, when combined with an electric arc at the
electrical receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion in the APU
compartment during flight.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April 22, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April
22, 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-2004-19264; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-90-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 October 7,
2004 (69 FR 60098), proposed to require modification of certain
auxiliary power unit (APU) alternating current (AC) generators.
Explanation of New Relevant Service Information
The proposed AD refers to Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106,
dated May 26, 2003, as the appropriate source of service information
for the modification of affected APU AC generators. Since the issuance
of that service bulletin, Airbus has issued Revision 01, dated May 13,
2004. Revision 01 of the service bulletin provides additional
information regarding on-airplane modification of the APU AC
generators. Revision 01 also removes the concurrent action--
accomplishment of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1082, Revision 01,
dated March 15, 1996, which was specified in the original issue of the
service bulletin. We have revised paragraph (f) of this final rule to
refer to Revision 01 of the service bulletin as the appropriate source
of service information. We have also not included paragraph (g) of the
proposed AD, which contained the requirement to accomplish Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-24-1082, and we have made other editorial changes
throughout the AD related to the omission of this requirement. We have
added a new paragraph (g) to this final rule to specify that
modification of the APU AC generators accomplished before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with the original issue of the service
bulletin is acceptable for compliance with this AD.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been
submitted on the proposed AD.
Support for the Proposed AD
One commenter supports the proposed AD.
Request To Remove Parts Installation Paragraph
One commenter requests that we do not include paragraph (h) of the
proposed AD, ``Part Installation,'' in the final rule. The commenter
states that prohibiting the installation of an APU AC generator having
an old part number is too restrictive at the beginning of the proposed
20-month compliance time because modified generators or the parts to
modify the generators may not be readily available. Also, the commenter
notes that the restrictions of paragraph (h) of the proposed AD would
not allow for removing and reinstalling an unmodified generator during
the course of troubleshooting. The commenter states that installing an
unmodified APU AC generator would not pose any additional safety risk
as long as all affected units are modified within the proposed 20-month
compliance time.
We agree with the commenter's request and the rationale for that
request. We have determined that modifying an APU AC generator within
the 20-month compliance time specified by paragraph (f) of this AD is
adequate to ensure an acceptable level of safety. Accordingly, we have
not included paragraph (h) of the proposed AD in this final rule, and
we have re-identified subsequent paragraphs in this final rule.
Request To Refer to Alternative Parts
One commenter notes that Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin
90EGS01AG-24-18, dated February 13, 2003, which is referenced in the
Airbus service bulletin as a source of additional information on the
modification, refers to a type of lockwire and aerospace marker that
are not readily available in the U.S. The commenter recommends the use
of an alternate lockwire and marker that are readily available in the
U.S. The commenter states that Airbus and Hamilton Sundstrand have
concurred that these are acceptable alternatives.
We acknowledge the commenter's request but do not agree to revise
the AD. It would not be possible for us to consider every alternate
part that might be used in accomplishing the requirements of an AD. Any
operator who would like to use an alternate type of lockwire and
aerospace marker may submit a request for approval of an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC), as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
The request must include data substantiating that an acceptable level
of safety would be maintained by use of the alternate type of lockwire
and marker. No change to the AD is needed 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 changes described
previously. We have determined that these changes
[[Page 13095]]
will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase
the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 537 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The modification will take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be free
of charge. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
modification for U.S. operators is $174,525, or $325 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
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):
2005-06-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-14014. Docket No. FAA-2004-19264;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-90-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective April 22, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with any Hamilton
Sundstrand Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) alternating current (AC)
generator having part number 5906732, 5909006, or 5910047; with up
to amendment 17 included; on which Airbus Modification 32614 has not
been done.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of an explosion in the APU
compartment which blew open the compartment doors. We are issuing
this AD to prevent oil vapor leakage from the APU AC generator,
which, when combined with an electric arc at the electrical
receptacle, could result in a fire or explosion in the APU
compartment during flight.
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.
Modification
(f) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the APU AC generator by doing all the actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106,
Revision 01, dated May 13, 2004.
Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106, Revision 01,
refers to Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 90EGS01AG-24-18,
dated February 13, 2003, as an additional source of service
information for accomplishment of the modification required by
paragraph (f) of this AD.
Previously Accomplished Actions
(g) Modification of the APU AC generator accomplished before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106, dated May 26,
2003, is acceptable for compliance with the modification required by
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-2004-019, dated February 4,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-24-1106, Revision
01, dated May 13, 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. For
copies of the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. For information on
the availability of this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5140 Filed 3-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P