Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes, 4789-4791 [05-1725]
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4789
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 70, No. 19
Monday, January 31, 2005
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–20166; Directorate
Identifier 2004–NM–175–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes. This proposed
AD would require replacing the cargo
ventilation extraction duct at frame 65
with a new duct, and relocating the
temperature sensor in the aft cargo
compartment. This proposed AD is
prompted by a report indicating that,
during a test of the fire extinguishing
system, air leakage around the
temperature sensor for the aft cargo
compartment reduced the concentration
of fire extinguishing agent to below the
level required to suppress a fire. We are
proposing this AD to prevent air leakage
around the temperature sensor for the
aft cargo compartment, which, in the
event of a fire in the aft cargo
compartment, could result in an
insufficient concentration of fire
extinguishing agent, and consequent
inability of the fire extinguishing system
to suppress the fire.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by March 2, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to http:/
/dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions
for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:55 Jan 28, 2005
Jkt 205001
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• By fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Airbus, 1
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this
AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., room PL–401, on the plaza level of
the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
This docket number is FAA–2005–
20166; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004–NM–175–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim
Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2141;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2005–20166; Directorate Identifier
2004–NM–175–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the
closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of our docket
Web site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You can
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you can visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the DMS
receives them.
Discussion
´ ´
The Direction Generale de l’Aviation
Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France,
notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Airbus
Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that a test
of the fire containment capability of the
aft cargo compartment was performed
on a Model A319 series airplane. The
test revealed that the concentration of
the halon fire extinguishing agent
decreased below the level required to
suppress a fire. Investigation revealed
that the drop in the concentration of
halon was due to too high a rate of air
renewal in the compartment. Further
investigation revealed that air leakage
around the water drain valves in the
forward and aft cargo doors and around
the aft cargo compartment temperature
sensor contributed to the reduced
concentration of halon. The air leakage
allowed the halon to leak out of the
compartment, and the remaining
concentration of halon was insufficient
to suppress a fire. The DGAC states that
a separate French airworthiness
directive will address air leakage around
the water drain valves. In the event of
a fire in the aft cargo compartment, an
insufficient concentration of fire
extinguishing agent could result in the
inability of the fire extinguishing system
to suppress the fire.
The aft cargo compartment
temperature sensor installation on the
Airbus A320 and A321 series airplanes
E:\FR\FM\31JAP1.SGM
31JAP1
4790
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 19 / Monday, January 31, 2005 / Proposed Rules
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
is similar to that of the Airbus A319
series airplanes; therefore, those
airplanes may also be subject to this
unsafe condition.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin
A320–21–1141, dated April 7, 2004. The
service bulletin describes procedures for
relocating the temperature sensor in the
aft cargo compartment. The procedures
include replacing the duct at frame 65
with a new duct that can accommodate
the temperature sensor and installing a
placard, rerouting the sensor line, and
installing the temperature sensor and
associated hardware in the new duct.
Accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe
condition. The DGAC mandated the
service information and issued French
airworthiness directive F–2004–123,
dated July 21, 2004, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in France.
Difference Between the Proposed AD
and French Airworthiness Directive
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. According to this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has
kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the
DGAC’s findings, evaluated all pertinent
information, and determined that we
need to issue an AD for products of this
type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the
actions specified in the service
information described previously,
except as discussed under ‘‘Difference
Between the Proposed AD and French
Airworthiness Directive.’’
The applicability of French
airworthiness directive F–2004–123
excludes airplanes that accomplished
Airbus Service Bulletin A320–21–1141
in service. However, we have not
excluded those airplanes in the
applicability of this proposed AD;
rather, this proposed AD includes a
requirement to accomplish the actions
specified in that service bulletin. This
requirement would ensure that the
actions specified in the service bulletin
and required by this proposed AD are
accomplished on all affected airplanes.
Operators must continue to operate the
airplane in the configuration required
by this proposed AD unless an
alternative method of compliance is
approved.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the
estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD.
ESTIMATED COSTS
Work
hours
Action
Replacement of duct/relocation of
temperature sensor in aft cargo
compartment.
34
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701,
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:55 Jan 28, 2005
Jkt 205001
Average
labor rate
per hour
$65
Parts
Between $7,000 and
$11,640.
Between $9,210 and
$13,850.
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that the 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES
section for a location to examine the
regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Number
of
U.S.-registered
airplanes
Cost per
airplane
643
Fleet cost
Between
$5,922,030
and
$8,905,550.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2005–20166;
Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–175–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration
must receive comments on this AD action by
March 2, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 19 / Monday, January 31, 2005 / Proposed Rules
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes, certificated
4791
in any category; as identified in Table 1 of
this AD.
TABLE 1.—APPLICABILITY
Having the
following
Airbus
modification
installed in
production-
Airbus Model-
Or the following
Airbus service
bulletin incorporated in
service-
But not having the following Airbus modification installed in
production-
24486
20084
22596
A320–21–1140
A320–21–1048
Not applicable ...
32616
32616
32616
A319 series airplanes .......................................................................................................................
A320 series airplanes .......................................................................................................................
A321 series airplanes .......................................................................................................................
Unsafe Condition
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
(d) This AD was prompted by a report that,
during a test of the fire extinguishing system,
air leakage around the temperature sensor for
the aft cargo compartment reduced the
concentration of fire extinguishing agent to
below the level required to suppress a fire.
We are issuing this AD to prevent air leakage
around the temperature sensor for the aft
cargo compartment, which, in the event of a
fire in the aft cargo compartment, could
result in an insufficient concentration of fire
extinguishing agent, and consequent inability
of the fire extinguishing system to suppress
the fire.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Relocation of Aft Cargo Compartment
Temperature Sensor
(f) Within 24 months after the effective
date of this AD: Replace the ventilation
extraction duct with a new duct and relocate
the aft cargo compartment temperature
sensor by accomplishing all of the actions
specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–
21–1141, dated April 7, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive F–2004–
123, dated July 21, 2004, also addresses the
subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January
18, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–1725 Filed 1–28–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:55 Jan 28, 2005
Jkt 205001
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
18 CFR Part 35
[Docket No. RM05–4–000]
Interconnection for Wind Energy and
Other Alternative Technologies
January 24, 2005.
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission) is
proposing to amend its regulations to
require public utilities to append to the
standard large generator interconnection
agreement in their open access
transmission tariffs (OATTs) specific
technical requirements for the
interconnection of large wind
generation.
Comments are due March 2,
2005. Reply comments will be due 30
days thereafter.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be filed
electronically via the eFiling link on the
Commission’s Web site at https://
www.ferc.gov. Commenters unable to
file comments electronically must send
an original and 14 copies of their
comments to Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Office of the Secretary,
888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC
20426. Refer to the Comment
Procedures section of the preamble for
additional information on how to file
comments.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bruce A. Poole (Technical Information),
Office of Markets, Tariffs and Rates,
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426. (202) 502–
8468.
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
G. Patrick Rooney (Technical
Information), Office of Markets,
Tariffs and Rates, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
(202) 502–6205.
P. Kumar Agarwal (Technical
Information), Office of Markets,
Tariffs and Rates, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
(202) 502–8923.
Jeffery S. Dennis (Legal Information),
Office of the General Counsel, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC
20426. (202) 502–6027.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
1. In Order No. 2003,1 the
Commission adopted standard
procedures for the interconnection of
large generation facilities and a standard
large generator interconnection
agreement. The Commission required
public utilities that own, control, or
operate facilities for transmitting
electric energy in interstate commerce to
file revised Open Access Transmission
Tariffs (OATTs) containing these
standard provisions, and use them to
provide interconnection service to
generating facilities having a capacity of
more than 20 megawatts. In Order No.
2003–A, on rehearing, the Commission
determined that the standard
procedures and agreement were
designed around the needs of traditional
synchronous generation facilities, and
that generators relying on non1 Standardization of Generator Interconnection
Agreements and Procedures, Order No. 2003, 68 FR
49845 (Aug. 19, 2003), FERC Stats. & Regs.,
Regulations Preambles ¶ 31,146 (2003) (Order No.
2003), order on reh’g, 69 FR 15932 (Mar. 24, 2004),
FERC Stats & Regs., Regulations Preambles ¶ 31,160
(2004) (Order No. 2003–A), order on reh’g, 70 FR
265 (January 4, 2005), FERC Stats & Regs.,
Regulations Preambles ¶ 31,171 (2004) (Order No.
2003–B), reh’g pending; see also Notice Clarifying
Compliance Procedures, 106 FERC ¶ 61,009 (2004).
E:\FR\FM\31JAP1.SGM
31JAP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 19 (Monday, January 31, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4789-4791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1725]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 19 / Monday, January 31, 2005 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 4789]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20166; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-175-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require replacing the cargo ventilation extraction
duct at frame 65 with a new duct, and relocating the temperature sensor
in the aft cargo compartment. This proposed AD is prompted by a report
indicating that, during a test of the fire extinguishing system, air
leakage around the temperature sensor for the aft cargo compartment
reduced the concentration of fire extinguishing agent to below the
level required to suppress a fire. We are proposing this AD to prevent
air leakage around the temperature sensor for the aft cargo
compartment, which, in the event of a fire in the aft cargo
compartment, could result in an insufficient concentration of fire
extinguishing agent, and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing
system to suppress the fire.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 2, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
https://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This
docket number is FAA-2005-20166; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004-NM-175-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20166;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-175-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that a test of the fire
containment capability of the aft cargo compartment was performed on a
Model A319 series airplane. The test revealed that the concentration of
the halon fire extinguishing agent decreased below the level required
to suppress a fire. Investigation revealed that the drop in the
concentration of halon was due to too high a rate of air renewal in the
compartment. Further investigation revealed that air leakage around the
water drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors and around the
aft cargo compartment temperature sensor contributed to the reduced
concentration of halon. The air leakage allowed the halon to leak out
of the compartment, and the remaining concentration of halon was
insufficient to suppress a fire. The DGAC states that a separate French
airworthiness directive will address air leakage around the water drain
valves. In the event of a fire in the aft cargo compartment, an
insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent could result in
the inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress the fire.
The aft cargo compartment temperature sensor installation on the
Airbus A320 and A321 series airplanes
[[Page 4790]]
is similar to that of the Airbus A319 series airplanes; therefore,
those airplanes may also be subject to this unsafe condition.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-21-1141, dated April 7,
2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for relocating the
temperature sensor in the aft cargo compartment. The procedures include
replacing the duct at frame 65 with a new duct that can accommodate the
temperature sensor and installing a placard, rerouting the sensor line,
and installing the temperature sensor and associated hardware in the
new duct. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The
DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness
directive F-2004-123, dated July 21, 2004, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
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. According to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between
the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive
The applicability of French airworthiness directive F-2004-123
excludes airplanes that accomplished Airbus Service Bulletin A320-21-
1141 in service. However, we have not excluded those airplanes in the
applicability of this proposed AD; rather, this proposed AD includes a
requirement to accomplish the actions specified in that service
bulletin. This requirement would ensure that the actions specified in
the service bulletin and required by this proposed AD are accomplished
on all affected airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the
airplane in the configuration required by this proposed AD unless an
alternative method of compliance is approved.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Number of
Work labor U.S.-
Action hours rate per Parts Cost per airplane registered Fleet cost
hour airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of duct/relocation of 34 $65 Between $7,000 and Between $9,210 and 643 Between $5,922,030 and
temperature sensor in aft cargo $11,640. $13,850. $8,905,550.
compartment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-20166; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
175-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by March 2, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
[[Page 4791]]
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Table 1 of
this AD.
Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But not
Having the having the
following following
Airbus Model- Airbus Or the following Airbus service Airbus
modification bulletin incorporated in service- modification
installed in installed in
production- production-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A319 series airplanes........................ 24486 A320-21-1140......................... 32616
A320 series airplanes........................ 20084 A320-21-1048......................... 32616
A321 series airplanes........................ 22596 Not applicable....................... 32616
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report that, during a test of the
fire extinguishing system, air leakage around the temperature sensor
for the aft cargo compartment reduced the concentration of fire
extinguishing agent to below the level required to suppress a fire.
We are issuing this AD to prevent air leakage around the temperature
sensor for the aft cargo compartment, which, in the event of a fire
in the aft cargo compartment, could result in an insufficient
concentration of fire extinguishing agent, and consequent inability
of the fire extinguishing system to suppress the fire.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Relocation of Aft Cargo Compartment Temperature Sensor
(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD:
Replace the ventilation extraction duct with a new duct and relocate
the aft cargo compartment temperature sensor by accomplishing all of
the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-21-1141, dated April 7, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive F-2004-123, dated July 21,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 18, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1725 Filed 1-28-05; 8:45 am]
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