[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 23, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54960-54961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27123]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-93-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and
-231 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 certain Airbus Model A320-111, -
211, -212, and -231 series airplanes. This proposal would require
reinforcement of the tail section of the fuselage at frames 68 and 69.
This proposal is prompted by reports indicating that the tail section
has struck the runway during takeoffs and landings. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent structural damage
to the tail section when it strikes the runway. This condition, if not
detected, could result in depressurization of the fuselage during
flight.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 2, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-93-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: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2589; fax (206) 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 96-NM-93-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-NM-93-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 certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -
231 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received reports
indicating that the tail section of some Model A320 series airplanes
has struck the runway during takeoffs and landings. These impacts could
damage the structural integrity of the tail section. This condition, if
not detected, could cause depressurization of the fuselage during
flight.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-53-1110, dated August 28,
1995, which describes procedures for modification of the tail section
of the airplane by reinforcing the fuselage at frames 68 and 69. Should
a tail strike go undetected, this modification will provide sufficient
margins of strength to protect the fuselage from further damage during
flight. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and
issued French Airworthiness Directive (CN) 96-009-0074(B), dated
January 3, 1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to
[[Page 54961]]
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 modification of the
tail section of the airplane by reinforcement of the fuselage at frames
68 and 69. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 97 Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -
231 series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 196 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,140,720, or $11,760 per airplane.
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, Aircraft, 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 Industrie: Docket 96-NM-93-AD.
Applicability: Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 series
airplanes, as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1110, dated
August 28, 1995; 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 (b) 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 structural damage to the tail section of the
airplane when it strikes the runway which, if undetected, could
result in depressurization of the fuselage during flight, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, modify
the fuselage by reinforcing frames 68 and 69 in accordance with
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1110, dated August 28, 1995.
(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 2: 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 16, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-27123 Filed 10-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
