[Federal Register: February 9, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 27)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 6665-6667]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09fe06-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22528; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-125-AD;
Amendment 39-14474; AD 2006-03-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100
Series Airplanes; A320-111 Airplanes; A320-200 Series Airplanes; and
A321-100 and A321-200 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes; A320-111
airplanes; A320-200 series airplanes; and A321-100 and A321-200 series
airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the horizontal
hinge pin of the 103VU electrical panel in the avionics compartment to
determine if the hinge pin can move out of the hinge, and related
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from
a report indicating that electrical wire damage was found in the 103VU
electrical panel due to contact between the hinge pin and the adjacent
electrical wire harness. We are issuing this AD to prevent contact
between the horizontal hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire
harness, which could result in damage to electrical wires, and
consequent arcing and/or failure of associated systems.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 16, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 16,
2006.
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: 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:
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 would apply to certain Airbus Model
A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes; A320-111 airplanes; A320-200
series airplanes; and A321-100 and A321-200 series airplanes. That NPRM
was published in the Federal Register on September 27, 2005 (70 FR
56381). That NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection of the
horizontal hinge pin of the 103VU electrical panel in the avionics
compartment to determine if the hinge pin can move out of the hinge,
and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.
Statement of Planned Revision to French Airworthiness Directive
The commenter, the airplane manufacturer, notes that the French
airworthiness directive F-2005-052 R1, dated April 13, 2005, which was
cited in the NPRM, will be revised to add Airbus Modification 36115 as
the final fix for the unsafe condition. The commenter notes that the
purpose of Airbus Modification 36115 is to ensure that the hinge is
manufactured to prevent hinge pin migration.
We infer that the commenter is requesting that we consider
mandating this modification when the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale
de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) revises French airworthiness directive F-
2005-052. We will consider mandating this modification after the DGAC
releases its revision. However, we will not delay issuing this AD
pending release of the new French airworthiness directive and the
applicable Airbus service bulletin. Operators may request an
alternative method of compliance under the
[[Page 6666]]
provisions of paragraph (h) of this AD. Once the modification is
approved and available, we may consider additional rulemaking. We have
not changed the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment received, and determined 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
Average Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Inspection...................... 1 $65 None........ $65 696 $45,240
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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
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-03-10 Airbus: Amendment 39-14474. Docket No. FAA-2005-22528;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-125-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective March 16, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318-111 and -112; A319-111,
-112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133; A320-111, -211, -212,
-214, -231, -232, and -233; and A321-111, -112, -131, -211 and -231
airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers (S/Ns) 1
through 2396 inclusive, except S/Ns 2104, 2143, 2248, 2270, 2347,
2366, 2372, 2376, 2384, 2386, 2388, 2390, 2391, 2393, and 2395.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report indicating that electrical
wire damage was found in the 103VU electrical panel due to contact
between the hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness. We
are issuing this AD to prevent contact between the horizontal hinge
pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness, which could result in
damage to electrical wires, and consequent arcing and/or failure of
associated systems.
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.
Inspections and Corrective Actions
(f) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
do a general visual inspection of the horizontal hinge pin of the
103VU electrical panel in the avionics compartment to determine if
the pin can move out of the hinge, and do any applicable related
investigative and corrective actions, including repair of any
damaged electrical wires, before further flight. Do all the actions
in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex 25A1440, dated
February 15, 2005.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``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 from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight 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.''
No Reporting
(g) Although Airbus All Operators Telex 25A1440, dated February
15, 2005, specifies that operators should send the results of
inspections to the manufacturer, that action is not required by this
AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(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 Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
[[Page 6667]]
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-052 R1, dated April
13, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex 25A1440, dated
February 15, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 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 January 26, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1151 Filed 2-8-06; 8:45 am]
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