Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-119-AD; Amendment 39-8793; AD 94-01-11]

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires visual

inspections and end-float checks of the ram air turbine (RAT), and

replacement of the RAT, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a

report that, during an on-ground functional test of the RAT, the RAT

broke away from its support leg. The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent the RAT from breaking away from its support leg,

which could damage the airplane structure and systems, and could injure

ground personnel.

DATES: Effective March 3, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of March 3, 1994.

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 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to Airbus Model A320 series airplanes was published in the

Federal Register on October 5, 1993 (58 FR 51793). That action proposed

to require detailed visual inspections and end-float checks of the RAT,

and replacement of the RAT with a new RAT, if necessary.

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 of the commenters support the proposal.

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 74 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per

airplane to accomplish the required inspections and checks, and that

the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures,

the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$4,070, or $55 per airplane, per inspection/check. This total cost

figure assumes that no operator has yet accomplished the requirements

of this AD.

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 adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-01-11 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8793. Docket 93-NM-119-AD.

Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, equipped with ram

air turbine (RAT) part number 680203019, 680203020, 680203021, or

680203027; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent the RAT from breaking away from its support leg,

which could damage the airplane structure and systems, and could

injure ground personnel, accomplish the following:

(a) Perform a detailed visual inspection and an end-float check

of the RAT between turbine and leg, in accordance with Airbus

Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993, at

the earliest of the times specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or

(a)(3) of this AD:

(1) Within the next 450 flight hours after the effective date of

this AD; or

(2) Before and after the first functional ground check of the

RAT that is performed after the effective date of this AD; or

(3) After the first in-flight deployment of the RAT that occurs

after the effective date of this AD.

(b) If no discrepancy is detected, repeat the detailed visual

inspection and the end-float check after each functional ground

check of the RAT, and after each in-flight deployment of the RAT.

Note 1: Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated

April 13, 1993, references Dowty Aerospace Service Bulletin 600-29-

171, dated January 4, 1993, which provides specific descriptions of

the discrepancies in paragraph 2 of that service bulletin.

Note 2: The discrepancies that are addressed in this AD can only

occur during use of the RAT and not during stowage of the RAT;

therefore, it is not necessary to perform the repetitive inspections

and end-float checks before each functional ground check of the RAT

if the RAT has not been used since the preceding inspection.

(c) If any discrepancy is detected as a result of any detailed

visual inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight,

accomplish the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this

AD.

(1) Replace the RAT in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service

Bulletin A320-29-1061, dated April 13, 1993; and

(2) After replacement, repeat the detailed visual inspection and

the end-float check required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Thereafter, repeat the detailed visual inspection and the end-float

check after each functional ground check of the RAT, and after each

in-flight deployment of the RAT.

(d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR

21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(f) The inspections, checks, and replacement shall be done in

accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-29-1061,

dated April 13, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved

by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 3, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-451 Filed 1-31-94; 8:45 am]

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