97-12857. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 28324-28325]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-12857]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 96-NM-106-AD; Amendment 39-10030; AD 97-11-01]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires 
    an initial inspection of fastener holes on certain outer frames of the 
    fuselage to detect fatigue cracking, and modification of this area by 
    cold expanding these holes and installing oversized fasteners. This 
    amendment is prompted by a report from the manufacturer indicating 
    that, during full-scale fatigue testing of the test article, fatigue 
    cracking was detected in the area where the center fuselage joins the 
    wing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue 
    cracking and consequent reduced structural integrity of this area, 
    which could lead to rapid depressurization of the fuselage.
    
    DATES: Effective June 27, 1997.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of June 27, 1997.
    
    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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
    1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
    227-2797; 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 series 
    airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 20, 1997 
    (62 FR 7727). That action proposed to require an initial eddy current 
    rotation probe inspection to detect fatigue cracking in certain 
    fastener holes in the area where the center fuselage joins the wing, 
    and a modification to improve the resistance of this area to fatigue 
    cracking.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the two comments received.
        Both 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 24 Airbus Model A320 series airplanes of 
    U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
        It will take approximately 25 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
    the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
    Required parts will cost approximately $557 per airplane. Based on 
    these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
    to be $49,368, or $2,057 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
    
    [[Page 28325]]
    
    ``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:
    
    97-11-01  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10030. Docket 96-NM-106-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes as listed in Airbus 
    Service Bulletin A320-53-1026, dated August 5, 1994; on which 
    modifications 21281P1495 and 21680P1818 have not been installed; 
    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 (e) 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 fatigue cracking in the area where the center 
    fuselage joins the wing, which could reduce the structural integrity 
    of this area and consequently result in rapid decompression of the 
    fuselage, accomplish the following:
        (a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings, or 
    within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
    occurs later, perform an eddy current rotating probe inspection to 
    detect fatigue cracking in the fastener holes of the outer frame 
    flanges of left and right fuselage frames 37 through 41, adjacent to 
    Stringer 23, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-
    1026, dated August 5, 1994.
    
        Note 2: Prior to the effective date of this AD, accomplishment 
    of any modification in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
    53-1025, dated August 5, 1994, is considered acceptable for 
    compliance with the modification requirements of paragraphs (b), 
    (c)(1)(i), (c)(2) and (d) of this AD.
    
        (b) If the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
    detects no cracking in any hole: Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 
    landings after this inspection, modify each hole in accordance with 
    Paragraph 2.B.(5) of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53-1025, Revision 
    1, dated November 24, 1994. Thereafter, no further action is 
    required by this AD.
        (c) If the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
    detects any cracking in no more than one hole per frame cap, 
    accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
    AD:
        (1) Prior to further flight, repair this cracked hole and 
    conduct another rotating probe inspection of this hole to detect 
    cracking, in accordance with Paragraph 2.B.(6) of Airbus Service 
    Bulletin A320-53-1025, Revision 1, dated November 24, 1994.
        (i) If no cracking of this repaired hole is detected: Prior to 
    further flight, modify this hole in accordance with Paragraph 
    2.B.(6)(c) of this service bulletin. Thereafter, no further action 
    with regard to this hole is required by this AD.
        (ii) If any cracking of this repaired hole is detected: Prior to 
    further flight, repair this hole in a manner approved by the 
    Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane 
    Directorate. Thereafter, no further action with regard to this hole 
    is required by this AD.
        (2) Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 landings after the 
    inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD; modify all other 
    holes in accordance with Paragraph 2.B.(5) of Airbus Service 
    Bulletin A320-53-1025, Revision 1, dated November 24, 1994. 
    Thereafter, no further action is required by this AD with respect to 
    these holes.
        (d) If the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
    detects any cracking in more than one hole per frame cap, or if this 
    inspection detects any cracking in any frame: Prior to further 
    flight, repair the discrepant area in a manner approved by the 
    Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113; and modify all other holes 
    in accordance with Paragraph 2.B.(5) of Airbus Service Bulletin 
    A320-53-1025, Revision 1, dated November 24, 1994. Thereafter, no 
    further action is required by this AD.
        (e) 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. 
    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.
    
        (f) 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.
        (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
    Bulletin A320-53-1026, dated August 5, 1994; and Airbus Service 
    Bulletin A320-53-1025, Revision 1, dated November 24, 1994. Airbus 
    Service Bulletin A320-53-1025, Revision 1, dated November 24, 1994, 
    contains the following list of effective pages:
    
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                                      Revision level                        
                Page No.              shown on page     Date shown on page  
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1-12, 17.......................  1..............  November 24, 1994.    
    13-16, 18, 19..................  Original.......  August 5, 1994.       
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        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.
        (h) This amendment becomes effective on June 27, 1997.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 12, 1997.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-12857 Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/27/1997
Published:
05/23/1997
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-12857
Dates:
Effective June 27, 1997.
Pages:
28324-28325 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 96-NM-106-AD, Amendment 39-10030, AD 97-11-01
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
97-12857.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13