Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes, 24699-24701 [05-9196]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24699-24701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9196]



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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 24699]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-49-AD; Amendment 39-14081; AD 2005-10-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the left- and 
right-side main landing gear (MLG) side-stay cuff lugs and down-lock 
spring attachments for evidence of cracked or fractured side-stay cuff 
lugs or down-lock spring attachments, and repair if necessary. This AD 
also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the MLG 
side-stay cuff lugs or down-lock spring attachments, which could result 
in improper down-lock of the MLG during a freefall extension, and 
possible collapse of the MLG. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective June 15, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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.

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: 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 A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
October 15, 2003 (68 FR 59347). That action proposed to require 
repetitive inspections of the left- and right-side main landing gear 
(MLG) side-stay cuff lugs and down-lock spring attachments for evidence 
of cracked or fractured side-stay cuff lugs or down-lock spring 
attachments, and repair if necessary. That action also provided for 
optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support of the Proposed AD

    Several commenters, including the airplane manufacturer, support 
the intent of the proposed AD.

Request To Reference Revised Service Information

    Several commenters note that Airbus has revised the service 
information cited in the proposed AD. The commenters suggest that the 
proposed AD be changed to reference the revised service information, as 
identified in the following table.

                   Table--Revised Service Information/Service Information Cited in Proposed AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Referenced in the
                                        Cited in the proposed AD                                  following
 Revised Airbus service information--             as--             For accomplishing the--   paragraph(s) of the
                                                                                                proposed AD--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus A319/A320/A321 Maintenance       Airbus A318/A319/A320/    Alternative to the                        (d)
 Planning Document, Revision 26a,        A321 Maintenance          inspection requirements
 dated July 31, 2003.                    Planning Document,        in paragraph (a) of the
                                         Revision 25, dated        proposed AD.
                                         October 2001.
---------------------------------------
A320-32-1223, Revision 01, dated June   A320-32-1223, dated       Optional terminating                      (e)
 11, 2002.                               March 5, 2001.            action.
---------------------------------------
A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June   A320-32A1224, dated       Inspection and part               (a) and (c)
 11, 2002.                               January 18, 2001.         replacement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We agree that this AD should reference the revised Airbus service 
information. We have reviewed the revised service information and 
determined that the majority of changes are editorial. Revision 01 of 
Service Bulletin A320-32A1224 includes the compliance times mandated in 
French airworthiness directive 2002-075(B), dated January 23, 2002. 
Instead of referring operators to Chapter 32-11-19 of the Airbus A319/
A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 01 includes Figure 1, 
which shows the inspection areas for the side-stay cuffs and links. We 
have revised paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD to reference Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002, and 
removed the citation for the original issue of that service bulletin. 
We have

[[Page 24700]]

also included a new paragraph (d) in this AD to give credit for 
inspections and part replacements accomplished before the effective 
date of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1224, dated January 18, 2001, and 
changed the designations of the subsequent paragraphs.
    We have revised paragraph (e) of this AD (paragraph (d) of the 
proposed AD) to include Revision 26a, dated July 31, 2003, of the 
Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD). In 
addition, we have revised the description of task number 321119-01-1 to 
reflect the description as changed in Revision 26a of the MPD.
    In addition, we have revised paragraph (f) of this AD (paragraph 
(e) of the proposed AD) to include the citation for Service Bulletin 
A320-32-1223, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002, as an additional source 
of service information for accomplishing the optional terminating 
action.

Request To Change Type of Inspection

    Two commenters note that paragraph (a) of the proposed AD specifies 
that operators should do a detailed inspection for cracked or fractured 
lugs. The commenters point out that the parallel French airworthiness 
directive, 2002-075(B), dated January 23, 2002; Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-32A1224, Revision 01; and task number 321119-01-1, ``Mechanism 
Visual Check of Main Landing Gear Downlocking Springs and Side-stay 
Center Joint Links and Cuff,'' of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 MPD; 
recommend a visual check to ensure the lugs are not ruptured. The 
commenters suggest that the inspection terminology in the proposed AD 
be changed from ``detailed inspection'' to ``visual check'' in order to 
harmonize with the Airbus service information. One commenter states 
that the intent of the action is to look for obvious damage; therefore, 
visual check is more appropriate verbiage than detailed inspection.
    We agree with the intent of the commenters' requests and have 
revised paragraph (a) of this AD to reference a ``general visual 
inspection'' instead of a ``detailed inspection.'' We also revised Note 
1 of this AD to provide the definition of a general visual inspection. 
When included in an AD, the term ``check'' means something other than a 
cursory inspection of an item, and the requirements of this AD do not 
warrant the use of that term.

Request To Revise Compliance Time

    One commenter requests that the compliance times in paragraph (a) 
of the proposed AD be changed from flight hours to flight cycles. 
Specifically, the commenter requests that paragraph (a)(1) of the 
proposed AD be changed from ``Within 60 months from the first entry 
into service of the MLG, or before the accumulation of 9,000 total 
flight hours on the MLG, whichever occurs first'' to ``Within 60 months 
from the first entry into service of the MLG, or before 7,200 total 
flight cycles on the MLG, whichever occurs first.'' The commenter also 
requests that the compliance time in paragraph (a)(2) of the proposed 
AD be changed from ``Within 500 flight hours on the MLG after the 
effective date of this AD'' to ``Within 500 flight cycles on the MLG 
after the effective date of this AD.'' The commenter states that it 
tracks MLG side-stays by flight cycles, in accordance with its approved 
maintenance program, and that changing the initial inspection to flight 
cycles would allow the inspection to be incorporated within a scheduled 
maintenance check. The commenter did not provide any information 
regarding how it converted 9,000 total flight hours to 7,200 total 
flight cycles, or how it converted 500 flight hours to 500 flight 
cycles.
    We agree with the intent of the commenter's request, but we do not 
agree to revise the compliance times in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD from flight hours to flight cycles. We do not have any 
technical justification for making the requested changes. When 
determining the compliance time for this AD, we considered the 
compliance time specified in the parallel French airworthiness 
directive, the airplane manufacturer's recommendation, and the average 
utilization of the affected fleet. According to the provisions of 
paragraph (g) of this AD, anyone may submit a request to adjust the 
compliance time if the request includes data that justify that a 
different compliance time would provide an acceptable level of safety. 
We have not changed this AD regarding this issue.

Explanation of Change to This AD

    Paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) of this AD have been revised to change 
the repetitive inspection intervals from 500 flight cycles to 500 
flight hours. Although the French airworthiness directive, the Airbus 
service information, and the compliance times in paragraph (a) of this 
AD state compliance times in flight hours, we inadvertently stated the 
repetitive inspection intervals in flight cycles instead of flight 
hours.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 367 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $130 per airplane, per inspection 
cycle.
    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.

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 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,

[[Page 24701]]

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2005-10-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-14081. Docket 2002-NM-49-AD.

    Applicability: Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; except those airplanes on 
which Airbus Modification 30648 has been installed.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the MLG side-stay cuff lugs or down-lock 
spring attachments, which could result in improper down-lock of the 
MLG during a freefall extension, and possible collapse of the MLG, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Do a general visual inspection of the left- and right-side 
main landing gear (MLG) side-stay cuff lugs and down-lock spring 
attachments to detect failures (cracked or fractured lugs), in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002, at the 
later of the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Within 60 months from the first entry into service of the 
MLG, or before the accumulation of 9,000 total flight hours on the 
MLG, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within 500 flight hours on the MLG after the effective date 
of this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

    (b) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD, no crack or fracture is detected: Repeat the inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
500 flight hours until the actions specified in paragraph (f) of 
this AD are accomplished.
    (c) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD, any crack or fracture is detected: Before further flight, 
replace any discrepant part with a new part of the same type in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32A1224, Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002. Repeat the 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours until the actions specified 
in paragraph (f) of this AD are accomplished.

Actions Accomplished Previously per Earlier Revision of the Service 
Bulletin

    (d) Inspections and part replacements accomplished before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1224, dated January 
18, 2001, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this AD.

Actions Accomplished per the Maintenance Planning Document

    (e) Compliance with task number 321119-01-1, ``Mechanism Visual 
Check of Main Landing Gear Downlocking Springs and Side-stay Center 
Joint Links and Cuff,'' in Revision 25, dated October 2001; or 
Revision 26a, dated July 31, 2003; of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Maintenance Planning Document; is considered acceptable for 
compliance with the inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
AD. Operators should note that this task requires repetitive 
inspections at 8-day intervals, instead of intervals not to exceed 
500 flight hours.

Optional Terminating Action

    (f) Replacement of the MLG side-stay lugs and links on the left 
and right sides of the airplane, with lugs and links made of new, 
improved material, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
32-1223, dated March 5, 2001; or Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002; 
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (b) and 
(c) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (h) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32A1224, 
Revision 01, dated June 11, 2002. 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. To get copies of this 
service information, go to Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To inspect copies of this service 
information, go to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or to the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or 
go to https://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_
regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-075(B), dated January 23, 2002.

Effective Date

    (i) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 2005.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 29, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9196 Filed 5-10-05; 8:45 am]
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