[Federal Register: February 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8439-8441]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe06-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-23143; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-177-AD;
Amendment 39-14487; AD 2006-04-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318-100 Series Airplanes,
Model A319-100 Series Airplanes, Model A320-111 Airplanes, Model A320-
200 Series Airplanes, and Model A321-100 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect
wear of the inboard flap trunnions, and to detect wear or de-bonding of
the protective half-shells; corrective actions, if necessary; and
terminating action. This new AD removes the repetitive inspections to
detect wear of the inboard flap trunnions and to detect wear or de-
bonding of the protective half-shells; and corrective actions if
necessary. This new AD adds repetitive detailed inspections of the
inboard flap trunnions for any wear marks and of the sliding panels for
any cracking at the long edges, and corrective actions if necessary.
This new AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD results
from reports of wear damage to the inboard flap trunnions after
incorporation of the terminating modification. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct wear of the inboard flap trunnions, which could
lead to loss of flap surface control and consequently result in the
flap detaching from the airplane. A detached flap could result in
damage to the tail of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 24, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1133, excluding Appendix
01, dated July 28, 2005, as of March 24, 2006.
On January 8, 2001 (65 FR 75603, December 4, 2000), the Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-27-1117, Revision 02, dated January 18, 2000.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this AD.
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:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2000-24-02, amendment
39-12009 (65 FR 75603, December 4, 2000). The existing AD applies to
certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. That NPRM
was published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2005 (70 FR
72085). That NPRM proposed to remove the repetitive inspections to
detect wear of the inboard flap trunnions and to detect wear or de-
bonding of the protective half-shells; and corrective actions if
necessary. That NPRM also proposed to add repetitive detailed
inspections of the inboard flap trunnions for any wear marks and of the
sliding panels for any cracking at the long edges, and corrective
actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to add airplanes to the
applicability.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been
received on the NPRM. The commenter supports the NPRM.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that has been received, and determined
[[Page 8440]]
that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as
proposed.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplane airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terminating modification (required by AD 14 $65 Provided by manufacturer.... $910 719 $654,290
2000-24-02).
Detailed inspection (new action).......... 2 65 None........................ \1\ 130 719 \1\ 93,470
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\1\ Per inspection cycle.
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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
removing amendment 39-12009 (65 FR 75603, December 4, 2000) and by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-04-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-14487. Docket No. FAA-2005-23143;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-177-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective March 24, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2000-24-02.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Airbus Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 26495 has been incorporated in production.
(2) All Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -
132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111 airplanes; Model A320-211, -
212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112,
and -131 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of wear damage to the inboard
flap trunnions after incorporation of the terminating modification.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct wear of the inboard
flap trunnions, which could lead to loss of flap surface control and
consequently result in the flap detaching from the airplane. A
detached flap could result in damage to the tail of the airplane.
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.
Restatement of Certain Requirements of AD 2000-24-02
Modification
(f) For Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and
-133 airplanes; Model A320-111 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -
214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, and -
131 airplanes; except those on which Airbus Modification 26495 has
been accomplished in production: Within 18 months after January 8,
2001 (the effective date of AD 2000-24-02), modify the sliding panel
driving mechanism of the flap drive trunnions, in accordance with
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1117, Revision 02, dated January 18,
2000.
Note 1: Accomplishment of the modification required by paragraph
(f) of this AD before January 8, 2001, in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-27-1117, dated July 31, 1997; or Revision 01,
dated June 25, 1999, is acceptable for compliance with that
paragraph.
Requirements of This AD
Detailed Inspections
(g) For all airplanes: At the latest of the applicable
compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3)
of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the inboard flap trunnions
for any wear marks and of the sliding panels for any cracking at the
long edges, and do any corrective actions as applicable, by
accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1133,
dated July 28, 2005; except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.
Any corrective actions must be done at the compliance times
specified in Figures 5 and 6, as applicable, of the service
bulletin; except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. Repeat the
detailed inspections
[[Page 8441]]
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight hours.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
(1) Before accumulating 4,000 total flight hours on the inboard
flap trunnion since new.
(2) Within 4,000 flight hours after accomplishing paragraph (f)
of this AD.
(3) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
No Reporting Requirement
(h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1133, dated July
28, 2005, specifies to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
Compliance Times
(i) Where Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1133, dated July 28,
2005, specifies replacing the sliding panel at the next opportunity,
replace it within 600 flight hours after the inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD. If the trunnion is found damaged during
any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, do the
corrective actions specified in the service bulletin before further
flight. Where the service bulletin specifies contacting the
manufacturer for a grace period assessment after replacing the
trunnion or flap, contact the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, or Direction
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) for the grace
period assessment.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) 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.
(2) 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.
Related Information
(k) French airworthiness directive F-2005-139, dated August 3,
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1117, Revision
02, dated January 18, 2000; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-
1133, excluding Appendix 01, dated July 28, 2005, as applicable, to
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1133,
excluding Appendix 01, dated July 28, 2005, in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) On January 8, 2001 (65 FR 75603, December 4, 2000), the
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1117, Revision 02,
dated January 18, 2000.
(3) Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac
Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may
review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or
at 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 February 6, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1405 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]
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