Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A321-100 and -200 Series Airplanes, 54854-54856 [05-18529]
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54854
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 180 / Monday, September 19, 2005 / Proposed Rules
Parts Installation
(g) After the effective date of this AD, no
Messier Bugatti (Labinal) actuator with P/N
4136290004 or 4136290005 may be installed
on any airplane.
No Reporting Required
(h) Although the service bulletins
referenced in this AD specify to submit an
inspection report to the manufacturer, this
AD does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) French airworthiness directive F–2005–
038, dated March 2, 2005, also addresses the
subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
September 9, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–18530 Filed 9–16–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by October 19, 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.
• 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2125;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
14 CFR Part 39
Comments Invited
[Docket No. FAA–2005–22456; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–128–AD]
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘FAA–2005–22456; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–128–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 received 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 that 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 may
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A321–100 and –200 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 A321–100 and
–200 series airplanes. This proposed AD
would require replacing the
crashworthiness pins on the side-stay of
the main landing gear (MLG) with new
pins having an increased internal notch
diameter. This proposed AD results
from testing on the side-stay
crashworthiness pins on the MLG,
which revealed that, in the case of an
emergency landing, the crashworthiness
pins installed will not ensure a correct
MLG collapse. We are proposing this
AD to prevent a punctured fuel tank,
which could cause damage to the
airplane or injury to passengers.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:32 Sep 16, 2005
Jkt 205001
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket
Management System receives them.
Discussion
´ ´
The Direction Generale de l’Aviation
Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France,
notified us that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Airbus Model A321–100
and –200 series airplanes. The DGAC
advises that, during the development
qualification program of the 93T
maximum takeoff weight (MTOW),
complementary tests performed
revealed that the main landing gear
(MLG) side-stay crashworthiness pins
installed with Airbus Modification
24982 are not compatible. In the case of
an emergency landing, the
crashworthiness pins installed will not
ensure a correct MLG collapse, and a
risk of fuel tank puncture that could
cause damage to the airplane or injury
to passengers could result.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin
A320–32–1229, dated August 9, 2001.
The service bulletin describes
procedures for replacing the
crashworthiness pin on the MLG sidestay with a new pin having an increased
internal notch diameter. 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 2002–074(B) R1, dated March
20, 2002, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in
France.
The Airbus service bulletin refers to
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 201–
32–26, dated July 20, 2001, as an
additional source of service information
for replacing the crashworthiness pins.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are
manufactured in France and are type
E:\FR\FM\19SEP1.SGM
19SEP1
54855
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 180 / Monday, September 19, 2005 / Proposed Rules
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. We have examined the
DGAC’s findings, evaluated all pertinent
information, and determined that we
need to issue an AD for airplanes 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 below.
Difference Between Proposed AD and
French Airworthiness Directive
The applicability of the French
airworthiness directive excludes
airplanes on which Airbus Service
Bulletin A320–32–1229 was
accomplished in service. However, we
have not excluded those airplanes in the
applicability of this proposed AD;
rather, this proposed AD would include
a requirement to accomplish the actions
specified in that service bulletin. This
proposed requirement would ensure
that the actions specified in the service
bulletin 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
Action
Work hours
Average labor
rate per hour
Parts
Cost per
airplane
Number of
U.S.-registered
airplanes
Fleet cost
Pin replacement .......................................
2
$65
$0
$130
1
$130
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:32 Sep 16, 2005
Jkt 205001
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 and placed it in the
AD docket. 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
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2005–22456;
Directorate Identifier 2005–NM–128–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by October 19, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A321–
111, –112, and –131 airplanes; and Model
A321–211 and –231 airplanes; certificated in
any category, including airplanes modified in
production by Airbus Modification 24982,
but excluding airplanes modified in
production by Airbus Modification 30046.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from testing on the
side-stay crashworthiness pins on the main
landing gear (MLG), which revealed that, in
the case of an emergency landing, the
crashworthiness pins installed will not
ensure a correct MLG collapse. We are
issuing this AD to prevent a punctured fuel
tank, which could cause damage to the
airplane or injury to passengers.
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.
Pin Replacement
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
§ 39.13
Applicability
(f) Within 27 months after the effective
date of this AD, replace any crashworthiness
pin having part number 201525620 with part
number 201525621, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus
Service Bulletin A320–32–1229, dated
August 9, 2001.
Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320–32–
1229 refers to Messier-Dowty Service
Bulletin 201–32–26, dated July 20, 2001, as
an additional source of service information
for replacing the crashworthiness pins.
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.
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19SEP1
54856
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 180 / Monday, September 19, 2005 / Proposed Rules
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive 2002–
074(B) R1, dated March 20, 2002, also
addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
September 9, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–18529 Filed 9–16–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–22454; Directorate
Identifier 2001–NM–108–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale
Model ATR42–200, ATR42–300, and
ATR42–320 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to
supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to all
Aerospatiale Model ATR–42–200, ATR
42–300, and ATR42–320 airplanes. The
existing AD currently requires
inspections to determine the proper
installation of rivets in certain key holes
and to detect cracks in the area of the
key holes where rivets are missing; and
correction of discrepancies. The existing
AD also requires various inspections of
the subject area for discrepancies, and
corrective actions if necessary; and
replacement of certain cargo door hinges
with new hinges. For certain airplanes,
the existing AD also requires
replacement of friction plates, stop
fittings, and bolts with new parts. This
proposed AD would require additional
corrective actions for certain airplanes.
This proposed AD is prompted by
discovery of cracks around key holes on
certain fuselage frames where rivets
were missing. We are proposing this AD
to prevent fatigue cracks of the cargo
door skin, certain frames, and entry
door stop fittings and friction plates,
which could result in reduced structural
integrity of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by October 19, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:32 Sep 16, 2005
Jkt 205001
• 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.
• 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 Aerospatiale,
316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse,
Cedex 03, 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–
22454; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2001–NM–108–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–1137;
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–
2005–22454; Directorate Identifier
2001–NM–108–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 received 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 00005
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
On March 9, 2000, we issued AD
2000–05–26, amendment 39–11636 (65
FR 15226, March 22, 2000), for all
Aerospatiale Model ATR42–200,
ATR42–300, and ATR42–320 airplanes.
That AD requires inspections to
determine the proper installation of
rivets in certain key holes and to detect
cracks in the area of the key holes where
rivets are missing; and correction of
discrepancies. The existing AD also
requires various inspections of the
subject area for discrepancies, and
corrective actions if necessary; and
replacement of certain cargo door hinges
with new hinges. For certain airplanes,
the existing AD also requires
replacement of friction plates, stop
fittings, and bolts with new parts. That
AD was prompted by discovery of
cracks around key holes on certain
fuselage frames where rivets were
missing. We issued that AD to prevent
fatigue cracks of the cargo door skin,
certain frames, and entry door stop
fittings and friction plates, which could
result in reduced structural integrity of
the airplane.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2000–05–26, the
´ ´
Direction Generale de l’Aviation Civile
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness
authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain
Aerospatiale Model ATR42–200,
ATR42–300, and ATR–320 airplanes.
The DGAC advises that installation of
Aerospatiale Modification 3184, which
was mandated in AD 2000–05–26, led to
a bore over-sizing of the hinge fastener
holes on certain airplanes. The bore
over-sizing could lead to reduced
E:\FR\FM\19SEP1.SGM
19SEP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 180 (Monday, September 19, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54854-54856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18529]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22456; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-128-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A321-100 and -200 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 A321-100 and -200 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require replacing the crashworthiness pins on the
side-stay of the main landing gear (MLG) with new pins having an
increased internal notch diameter. This proposed AD results from
testing on the side-stay crashworthiness pins on the MLG, which
revealed that, in the case of an emergency landing, the crashworthiness
pins installed will not ensure a correct MLG collapse. We are proposing
this AD to prevent a punctured fuel tank, which could cause damage to
the airplane or injury to passengers.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 19,
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.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22456; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-128-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 received 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
that 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A321-100 and -200
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during the development
qualification program of the 93T maximum takeoff weight (MTOW),
complementary tests performed revealed that the main landing gear (MLG)
side-stay crashworthiness pins installed with Airbus Modification 24982
are not compatible. In the case of an emergency landing, the
crashworthiness pins installed will not ensure a correct MLG collapse,
and a risk of fuel tank puncture that could cause damage to the
airplane or injury to passengers could result.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-32-1229, dated August 9,
2001. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing the
crashworthiness pin on the MLG side-stay with a new pin having an
increased internal notch diameter. 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 2002-074(B) R1, dated March 20, 2002, to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
The Airbus service bulletin refers to Messier-Dowty Service
Bulletin 201-32-26, dated July 20, 2001, as an additional source of
service information for replacing the crashworthiness pins.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
[[Page 54855]]
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. We have examined the DGAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for airplanes 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 below.
Difference Between Proposed AD and French Airworthiness Directive
The applicability of the French airworthiness directive excludes
airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1229 was
accomplished in service. However, we have not excluded those airplanes
in the applicability of this proposed AD; rather, this proposed AD
would include a requirement to accomplish the actions specified in that
service bulletin. This proposed requirement would ensure that the
actions specified in the service bulletin 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplane airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pin replacement................................... 2 $65 $0 $130 1 $130
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-22456; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
128-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October
19, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A321-111, -112, and -131
airplanes; and Model A321-211 and -231 airplanes; certificated in
any category, including airplanes modified in production by Airbus
Modification 24982, but excluding airplanes modified in production
by Airbus Modification 30046.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from testing on the side-stay
crashworthiness pins on the main landing gear (MLG), which revealed
that, in the case of an emergency landing, the crashworthiness pins
installed will not ensure a correct MLG collapse. We are issuing
this AD to prevent a punctured fuel tank, which could cause damage
to the airplane or injury to passengers.
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.
Pin Replacement
(f) Within 27 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace any crashworthiness pin having part number 201525620 with
part number 201525621, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1229, dated August
9, 2001.
Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1229 refers to Messier-
Dowty Service Bulletin 201-32-26, dated July 20, 2001, as an
additional source of service information for replacing the
crashworthiness pins.
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.
[[Page 54856]]
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive 2002-074(B) R1, dated March
20, 2002, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 9, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18529 Filed 9-16-05; 8:45 am]
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