Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-08-AD; Amendment 39-8930; AD 94-12-03]

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive

(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that

currently requires modification of the belly fairing structure. This

amendment revises the compliance time for accomplishment of the

modification. This amendment is prompted by the fact that the

compliance time of the existing rule would have allowed operators of

low-cycle airplanes to accomplish the modification at a time

considerably later than that intended. The requirements of this

amendment are intended to ensure that the structural integrity of the

belly fairing structure is maintained.

DATES: Effective July 5, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications as listed in

the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of January 10, 1994 (58 FR 64875, December 10, 1993).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707

Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules

Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of

the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)

227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations by superseding AD 93-24-11, Amendment 39-8760 (58

FR 64875, December 10, 1993), which is applicable to certain Airbus

Model A320 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on

February 2, 1994 (59 FR 4869). The action proposed to supersede AD 93-

24-11 to continue to require modification of the belly fairing

structure, but to revise the compliance time for accomplishing the

modification. That action was prompted by the fact that the compliance

time currently specified in paragraph (a) of AD 93-24-11 could allow

certain operators to accomplish the modification at a time considerably

later than that intended. The proposal proposed to revise the

compliance time to ``prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings

on the airplane, or within 300 days after the effective date of the

final rule, whichever occurs later.'' This compliance time will ensure

that the structural integrity of the belly fairing structure is

maintained in a timely manner. -

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the three comments received. -

All commenters support the proposed rule. -

After careful review of the available data, including the comments

noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public

interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. -

The FAA estimates that 20 airplanes of U.S. registry were affected

by AD 93-24-11, and will continue to be affected by this supersedure of

that AD. It will take approximately 288 work hours per airplane to

accomplish the actions currently required by AD 93-24-11, and that the

average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost

approximately $1,045 per airplane. Based on these figures, the current

cost impact of AD 93-24-11 on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$337,700, or $16, 885 per airplane. -

The total cost impact figure discussed above is presented as if no

operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of AD 93-24-11

(or this supersedure of that AD). There are no foreseeable additional

costs that will be imposed by this supersedure of AD 93-24-11. -

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment. -

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 -

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment -

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES -

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended] -

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8760 (58 FR

64875, December 10, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD), amendment 39-8930, to read as follows:

94-12-03 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8930. Docket 94-NM-08-AD.

Supersedes AD 93-24-11, Amendment 39-8760.

-Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, MSN 003 through 092

inclusive, certificated in any category. -

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously. -

To prevent reduced structural integrity of the belly fairing

structure, accomplish the following: -

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings on the

airplane, or within 300 days after January 10, 1994 (the effective

date of AD 93-24-11, Amendment 39-8760), whichever occurs later:

Modify the belly fairing structure in accordance with Airbus

Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1014, dated June 25, 1992, or

Revision 1, dated May 26, 1993. -

(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

-Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

-(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. -

(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus

Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1014, dated June 25, 1992, or

Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-53-1014, Revision 1, dated

May 26, 1993. The incorporation by reference of these documents was

approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of January 10,

1994 (59 FR 64875, December 10, 1993). Copies may be obtained from

Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac

Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or

at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,

NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. -

(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-13372 Filed 6-2-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U