[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49654-49656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24872]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-26-AD; Amendment 39-10764; AD 98-19-23]
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
replacement of the existing mounting rack for the Digital Flight Data
Recorder (DFDR) with a new rack having improved damping, and
installation of a new bracket for re-routing the wiring harness. This
amendment is prompted
[[Page 49655]]
by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a
foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent the possible loss of data recorded on the DFDR
as a result of vibrations and/or accelerations during flight.
DATES: Effective October 22, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 22, 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 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 20, 1998 (63
FR 13576). That action proposed to require replacement of the existing
mounting rack for the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) with a new
rack having improved damping, and installation of a new bracket for re-
routing the wiring harness.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
comments received.
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
One commenter (an operator) proposes an additional method of
compliance to the proposed rule that would specify replacement of the
DFDR with a Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) within 15 months
after the effective date of the AD. The operator states that it is in
the process of replacing all DFDR's in its fleet with SSFDR's. The
operator also includes supporting data that show the current version of
the Airbus Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) incorrectly refers to the
SSFDR as a DFDR. Since this incorrect reference may be confusing to
operators, the commenter proposes the additional method of compliance
to the proposal. The commenter points out that the manufacturer
recognizes that installation of a SSFDR eliminates the need to
accomplish the actions required by the proposed rule.
The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to revise the
method of compliance with the requirements of the AD. However, the FAA
concurs with the fact that, if an airplane is equipped with SSFDR's,
there is no need to perform the actions required by this AD. Therefore,
the FAA has revised the applicability of the AD to reflect only
airplanes equipped with LORAL DFDR's having a specific part number.
This more definitive applicability will clarify that the requirements
of the AD do not encompass those airplanes equipped with SSFDR's.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be furnished by the
manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,920, or
$180 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:
98-19-23 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10764. Docket 98-NM-26-AD.
Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes; equipped with a
LORAL Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) F800 [part number (P/N)
17M800-251/-261], and on which Airbus Modification 24959 (Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-31-1088, Revision 1, dated September 16, 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 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.
[[Page 49656]]
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the possible loss of data recorded on the DFDR as a
result of vibrations and/or accelerations during flight, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, remove
the existing DFDR vibration mounting rack, install a new rack having
improved damping, and install a new bracket for re-routing of the
cable harness, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31-
1088, Revision 2, dated September 16, 1996.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a DFDR rack having part number 404-050L1DPX2-1 or V2E2433L07F, on
any airplane.
(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.
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-31-1088, Revision 2, dated September 16, 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 96-272-098(B)R1, dated January 2, 1997.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on October 22, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24872 Filed 9-16-98; 8:45 am]
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