[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39771-39773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19777]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-107-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310, A300-600, and A320
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310,
A300-600, and A320 series airplanes, that currently requires
inspections to verify proper installation of the grill over the air
extraction duct of the lavatory and to detect blockages in the air
extraction duct of the lavatory, and correction of any discrepancies.
This action would add a requirement for modification of the grill of
the air extraction duct, which, when accomplished, would terminate the
repetitive inspections. This action also would expand the applicability
of the existing AD to include additional airplanes. This proposal is
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent obstructions in the air
extraction system of the lavatory, which may result in the failure of
the smoke detection system to detect smoke in the lavatories.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-107-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: 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:
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 97-NM-107-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-107-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On February 17, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-04-12, amendment 39-9164
(60 FR 11619, March 2, 1995), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310,
A300-600, and A320 series airplanes, to require inspections to verify
proper installation of the grill over the air extraction duct of the
lavatory and to detect blockages in the air extraction duct of the
lavatory, and correction of any discrepancies. That action was prompted
by reports of obstructions in the air extraction system of the
lavatories. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent
obstructions in the air extraction system of the lavatory, which may
result in the failure of the smoke detection system to detect smoke in
the lavatories.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of that AD, the Direction Generale de l'Aviation
Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France,
notified the FAA that it has received several additional reports of
incorrectly installed grill hoods of the air extraction system of the
lavatory on certain Airbus Model A310, A300-600, and A320 series
airplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
obstructions in the air extraction system, and consequent failure of
the smoke detection system to detect smoke in the lavatories.
[[Page 39772]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A310-26-2030, Revision 02,
dated April 4, 1997 (for Model A310 series airplanes); A300-26-6030,
Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes);
and A320-26-1037; Revision 02, dated July 8, 1997 (for Model A320
series airplanes). These service bulletins describe procedures for
modification of the grill of the air extraction duct in the lavatory.
The modification involves installing an insert and a threaded guide pin
to the lavatory ceiling, which will align with a new hole in the hood
and the grill of the air extraction duct. This modification will ensure
that the sub-assemblies of the air extraction system of the lavatory
can only be installed in the correct position. Such modification would
eliminate the need for the repetitive inspections.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directives 96-186-204(B)R1, dated January 15, 1997 (for
Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes), and 96-007-073(B), dated
January 3, 1996 (for Model A320 series airplanes), in order to assure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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 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 supersede AD 95-04-12 to
continue to require inspections to verify proper installation of the
grill over the air extraction duct of the lavatory and to detect
blockages in the air extraction duct of the lavatory, and correction of
any discrepancies. This action would add a requirement for modification
of the grill of the air extraction duct, which, when accomplished,
would terminate the repetitive inspections. This action also would
expand the applicability of the existing AD to include additional
airplanes. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 36 Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, 54
Airbus Model A300-600, and 118 Airbus Model A320 series airplanes of
U.S. registry that would be affected by this proposed AD.
The inspections that are currently required by AD 95-04-12 take
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the currently required inspections on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $24,960, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
For Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, the new proposed
modification would take approximately 5 work hours per airplane (5
lavatories per airplane; 1 work hour per lavatory) to accomplish, at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators
of Airbus Model A310 series airplanes is estimated to be $10,800, or
$300 per airplane.
For Airbus Model A300-600 and A320 series airplanes, the new
proposed modification would take approximately 10 work hours per
airplane (5 lavatories per airplane; 2 work hours per lavatory) to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the modification proposed by this AD
on U.S. operators of Airbus Model A300-600 and A320 series airplanes is
estimated to be $103,200, or $600 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 removing amendment 39-9164 (60 FR
11619, March 2, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 97-NM-107-AD. Supersedes AD 95-04-12,
Amendment 39-9164.
Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes on which
Airbus Modification 10156 has not been accomplished (reference
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2023 or A300-26-6024), and Model
A320 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22561 (reference
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1017) or Airbus Modification 24548
(reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1037) 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
[[Page 39773]]
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 obstructions in the air extraction system of the
lavatory, which may result in the failure of the smoke detection
system to detect smoke in the lavatories, accomplish the following:
Restatement of Requirements of AD 95-04-12
(a) Within 450 flight hours after March 17, 1995 (the effective
date of AD 95-04-12), perform an inspection of each lavatory to
verify proper installation of the grill over the air extraction duct
of the lavatories, and to detect blockage in the air extraction duct
of the lavatories, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex
(AOT) 26-12, Revision 1, dated July 4, 1994.
(1) If the grill is found to be properly installed and if no
blockage is found, repeat the inspection thereafter whenever the
cover over the air extraction duct of the lavatories or any ceiling
louver (grill) of the ceiling light in the lavatory is removed or
replaced for any reason.
(2) If the grill is found to be improperly installed and/or if
blockage is found, prior to further flight, correct any
discrepancies found, in accordance with Airbus AOT 26-12, Revision
1, dated July 4, 1994. Repeat the inspection thereafter whenever the
cover over the air extraction duct of the lavatories or any ceiling
louver (grill) of the ceiling light in the lavatory is removed or
replaced for any reason.
New Requirements of this AD
(b) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
modify the grill of the air extraction duct of the lavatory, in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2030, Revision 02,
dated April 4, 1997 (for Model A310 series airplanes); A300-26-6030,
Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997 (for Model A300-600 series
airplanes); or A320-26-1037, Revision 02, dated July 8, 1997 (for
Model A320 series airplanes); as applicable. Accomplishment of the
modification constitutes terminating action for the inspection
requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 96-186-204(B)R1, dated January 15, 1997
(for Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes), and 96-007-073(B),
dated January 3, 1996 (for Model A320 series airplanes).
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 20, 1998.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-19777 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
