Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and A340 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-103-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330,

and A340 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A319, A320, A321,

A330, and A340 series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive

inspections to detect missing and incorrectly installed parts of the

footrest actuator assembly, and replacement of discrepant parts with

new parts. This AD also would provide for optional terminating action

for the repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by issuance

of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent detachment of the footrest assembly actuator, which

could result in partial blockage of the rudder pedals and reduced

controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-103-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

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

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

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)

227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number

and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All

comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing

date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested

persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 99-NM-103-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 99-NM-103-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the

airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on all Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and

A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that retaining rings (also

called retaining clips) used to secure the pins of the footrest

actuator installation, if missing or broken, can result in detachment

of the footrest actuator. One operator reported such an occurrence on a

Model A320 series airplane. Subsequent inspections conducted on the

operator's fleet of Airbus Model A320 and A340 series airplanes

revealed 7 broken or missing retaining rings on Model A320 series

airplanes and 2 broken or missing retaining rings on Model A340 series

airplanes. The footrest assembly is of similar design on Model A319,

A320, A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes. A detached footrest

actuator can hang down into the rudder pedals, partially blocking their

movement. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced

controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued All Operator Telex (AOT) 25-14 (for Model A319,

A320, and A321 series airplanes), and AOT 25-13 (for Model A330 and

A340 series airplanes); both dated December 17, 1998; which describe

procedures for repetitive inspections to detect missing and incorrectly

installed parts of the footrest actuator assembly, and replacement of

discrepant parts with new parts. The AOT's also describe procedures for

the removal of the footrest assembly, which would eliminate the need

for the repetitive inspections. The DGAC classified these AOT's as

mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 1999-047-110(B)

(for Model A340 series airplanes) and 1999-048-090(B) (for Model A330

series airplanes), both dated February 10, 1999; and 1999-074-127(B),

dated February 24, 1999 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series

airplanes); in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this

bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed

of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of

the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD

action is necessary for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered

in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of

the actions specified in the AOT's described previously. This proposed

AD also would provide for optional terminating action for the

repetitive inspections.

[[Page 37916]]

Interim Action

This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has

advised that it currently is developing a modification that will

positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD and allow

for the footrest assembly to remain installed. Once this modification

is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may consider further

rulemaking.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 208 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the

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

$37,440, or $180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that

no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of

this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in

the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed

regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under

Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);

and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules

Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Airplane, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as

follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

Airbus: Docket 99-NM-103-AD.

Applicability: All Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and A340 series

airplanes; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent detachment of the footrest assembly actuator, which

could result in partial blockage of the rudder pedals and reduced

controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,

perform a detailed visual inspection of the footrest actuator

assembly for discrepancies (including bent pins and missing or

incorrectly installed retaining rings and pins), in accordance with

All Operator Telex (AOT) 25-14, paragraph 4.2.1 (for Model A319,

A320 and A321 series airplanes), and AOT 25-13, paragraph 4.2.1 (for

Model A330 and A340 series airplanes); both dated December 17, 1998.

(1) If no discrepancy is detected: Repeat the inspection

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 months.

(2) If any discrepancy is detected: Accomplish the actions of

paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii).

(i) Prior to further flight, remove the actuator system from the

footrest assembly and conduct a detailed visual inspection of the

pins for damage, distortion, or wear, in accordance with paragraph

4.2.2 of the applicable AOT. If any damage, distortion, or wear of

the pin, or any discrepancy of the pin or the ring is detected,

prior to further flight, replace that pin or ring with a new part,

in accordance with paragraph 4.2.3 of the applicable AOT. And

(ii) Repeat the detailed visual inspection of the footrest

actuator assembly to detect discrepancies at intervals not to exceed

15 months.

(b) Removal of the footrest assembly constitutes terminating

action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a

specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to

detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is

normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at

intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such

as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and

elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International

Branch, ANM-116.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 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.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French

airworthiness directives 1999-047-110(B) (for Model A340 series

airplanes) and 1999-048-090(B) (for Model A330 series airplanes),

both dated February 10, 1999; and 1999-074-127(B), dated February

24, 1999 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes).

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-17861 Filed 7-13-99; 8:45 am]

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