[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7639-7640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3259]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 /
Rules and Regulations
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-150-AD; Amendment 39-10324; AD 98-04-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 and A321 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 certain Airbus Model A320 and A321 series airplanes, that
requires activation of a spoiler function that allows partial ground
spoiler activation with only one main landing gear compressed. This
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent possible delays in
deceleration when landing with strong cross winds and/or on a
contaminated runway, which could increase the potential for landing
overrun.
DATES: Effective March 24, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 24, 1998.
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: 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: 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 A320 and A321
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 11,
1997 (62 FR 65227). That action proposed to require activation of a
spoiler function that allows partial ground spoiler activation with
only one main landing gear compressed.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Several commenters support the proposed rule.
Conclusion
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 132 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 17 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $134,640, or
$1,020 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.
Regulatory Impact
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 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:
98-04-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-10324. Docket 97-NM-150-AD.
Applicability: Model A320 and A321 series airplanes on which
Airbus Modification No. 24745 (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1088,
Revision 3, dated December 11, 1996) 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
[[Page 7640]]
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 possible delays in deceleration when landing with
strong cross winds and/or on a contaminated runway, which could
increase the potential for landing overrun, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
activate the spoiler ``phased lift dumping'' function by modifying
the aircraft wiring at the level of the three spoiler elevator
computer (SEC) connectors, in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-27-1088, Revision 03, dated December 11, 1996.
(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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from theInternational Branch, ANM-116.
(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-27-1088, Revision 03, dated December 11, 1996. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 96-169-081(B), dated August 28, 1996.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 24, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 4, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3259 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
