01-18257. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, that currently requires modification of the forward and aft evacuation slide systems by replacing the Velcro restraints for the support logs with frangible link restraints. This amendment reduces the time to accomplish the modification from 3 years to 9 months. 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 the ingestion of sill support-log material into the aspirator of the evacuation slide, which could result in failure of the slide to inflate.

DATES:

Effective August 27, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service bulletin A320-25-1215, dated April 29, 1999, as listed in the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 30, 2000 (65 FR 9212, February 24, 2000).

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 the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-116, FAA, International Branch, FAA, 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) by superseding AD 2000-04-06, amendment 39-11588 (65 FR 9212, February 24, 2000), which is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2001 (66 FR 21291). The action proposed to continue to require modification of the forward and aft evacuation slide systems by replacing the Velcro restraints for the support logs with frangible link restraints. The action also proposed to reduce the time to accomplish the modification from 3 years to 9 months.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 202 Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The modification that is currently required by AD 2000-04-06 and retained in this AD was previously reported to take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish. That modification, however, is now estimated to take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish. The average labor rate is $60 per work hour. There is no charge for required parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60,600, or $300 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 removing amendment 39-11588 ( 65 FR 9212, February 4, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-12340, to read as follows:

2001-15-06 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12340. Docket 2000-NM-415-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-04-06, Amendment 39-11588.

Applicability: Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with any emergency evacuation slide having a part number (P/N) listed as:

D31516-103

D31516-105

D31516-107

D31516-109

D31517-103

D31517-105

D31517-107

D31517-109

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 the ingestion of sill support-log material into the aspirator of the escape slide which could result in failure of the escape slide to inflate, accomplish the following:

Modification

(a) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the forward and aft emergency evacuation slides by replacing the Velcro restraints for the support logs with frangible link restraints, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1215, dated April 29, 1999.

Note 2:

Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1215 refers to Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 004-25-51, dated February 26, 1999, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of the modification.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on any airplane an emergency evacuation slide having P/N D31516-103, D31516-105, D31516-107, D31516-109, D31517-103, D31517-105, D31517-107, or D31517-109.

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 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 modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1215, dated April 29, 1999. The incorporation by reference of that document was previously approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 30, 2000 (65 FR 9212, February 24, 2000). 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 4:

The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 2000-359-152(B) R1, dated December 29, 2000.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 27, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 16, 2001.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.