02-8. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, that requires replacement of the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply with a modified valve. This action is necessary to prevent faulty operation of the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply, which could prevent oxygen from being supplied to the airplane crew when needed, such as in the event of smoke in the cabin or rapid depressurization of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective February 8, 2002.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 8, 2002.

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:

Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 25, 2001 (66 FR 48993). That action proposed to require replacement of the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply with a modified valve.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received.

The commenter concurs with the content of the proposed rule.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 111 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 replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,660, or $60 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2001-26-21 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12587. Docket 2001-NM-255-AD.

Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; on which Modification 21946 (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003) or 21999 has not been accomplished; certificated in any category.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 faulty operation of the low-pressure solenoid valve for the oxygen supply, which could prevent oxygen from being supplied to the airplane crew when needed, such as in the event of smoke in the cabin or rapid depressurization of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

(a) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the low-pressure solenoid valve, part number (P/N) DVE90-04, for the crew oxygen supply with a modified valve, P/N DVE90-05 or DVE90-06, as applicable. Do the replacement according to Airbus Service Bulletins A320-35-1003, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1993; or A320-35-1016, dated July 31, 1996; as applicable.

Note 2:

Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, refers to EROS Service Bulletin DVE90-35-40, dated September 10, 1991, as the appropriate source of service information for modifying the low-pressure solenoid valve for the crew oxygen supply.

Note 3:

Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1016 refers to EROS Service Bulletin DVE90-35-49, dated January 31, 1995, as the appropriate source of service information for modifying the low-pressure solenoid valve for the oxygen supply.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a low-pressure oxygen valve, part number DVE90-04, on any airplane.

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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 4:

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 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1993; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1016, dated July 31, 1996; as applicable. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-35-1003, Revision 1, dated January 28, 1993, contains the following effective pages:

Page No.	Revision level shown on page	Date shown on page
1-3, 5	1	Jan. 28, 1993.
4, 6	Original	Aug. 26, 1991.

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.

Note 5:

The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 2001-237(B) R1, dated July 25, 2001.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2002.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 26, 2001.

Ali Bahrami,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.