Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes, 56854-56856 [06-8229]
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56854
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 188 / Thursday, September 28, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
I
2006–20–01 Airbus: Amendment 39–14770.
Docket No. FAA–2006–25421;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–074–AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective November 2,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model
A310 airplanes, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from several incidents
of pitch oscillations with high vertical loads
that occurred during turbulence at high
altitudes. We are issuing this AD to prevent
pitch oscillations during turbulence, which
could result in reduced controllability of the
airplane.
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.
Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
(f) Within 10 days after the effective date
of this AD, revise the Limitations section of
the Airbus A310 AFM to include the
information in Airbus A310 Temporary
Revision (TR) 2.03.00/21, dated April 11,
2005. This may be done by inserting a copy
of the TR into the AFM. When the
information in the TR has been included in
the general revisions of the AFM, those
general revisions may be inserted into the
AFM, provided the relevant information in
the general revisions is identical to that in
the TR.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g)(1) 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive F–2005–
114, dated July 6, 2005, also addresses the
subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Airbus A310 Temporary
Revision 2.03.00/21, dated April 11, 2005, to
the Airbus A310 Airplane Flight Manual, to
perform the actions that are required by this
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:21 Sep 27, 2006
Jkt 208001
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The
Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this document
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for a copy of this service information.
You may review copies at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Room PL–401, Nassif Building, Washington,
DC; on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or
at 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
September 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06–8228 Filed 9–27–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24990; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–013–AD; Amendment
39–14772; AD 2006–20–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
airplanes. This AD requires an
inspection to determine if the stiff part
of the girt and girt bar position of the
forward left-hand and right-hand
passenger doors is incorrect, and repair
if necessary. This AD results from cases
of girt bar disengagement from the floor
fitting during deployment tests of slide
rafts at the forward passenger doors. We
are issuing this AD to prevent
disengagement of the telescopic girt bar
from the airplane when the door is
opened in emergency situations, which
could result in the inability to open the
passenger door and to use the escape
slide/raft at that door during an
emergency evacuation of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective
November 2, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
of a certain publication listed in the AD
as of November 2, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, Room PL–401,
Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France,
for service information identified in this
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2125;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness
directive (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 street address stated in the
ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would
apply to certain Airbus Model A319,
A320, and A321 airplanes. That NPRM
was published in the Federal Register
on June 12, 2006 (71 FR 33661). That
NPRM proposed to require an
inspection to determine if the stiff part
of the girt and girt bar position of the
forward left-hand and right-hand
passenger doors is incorrect, and repair
if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have
considered the comments received.
Support for the NPRM
Airbus agrees with the NPRM.
Request To Withdraw the NPRM
The Air Transport Association (ATA),
on behalf of its member, US Airways,
requests that we clarify the impact of
AD 2005–23–05 on the NPRM. (On
October 25, 2005, we issued AD 2005–
23–05, amendment 39–14363 (70 FR
69063, November 14, 2005), for certain
Airbus Model A319–100, A320–200,
and A321–100 and –200 series
E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 188 / Thursday, September 28, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
airplanes. AD 2005–23–05 requires
modification of the telescopic girt bar of
the escape slide/raft assembly, and
follow-on actions. AD 2005–23–05 also
requires a new modification of the
telescopic girt bar and the installation of
placards on the modified girt bars,
which terminate the repetitive
functional tests. We issued AD 2005–
23–05 to prevent failure of the escape
slide/raft to deploy correctly, which
could result in the slide being unusable
during an emergency evacuation and
consequent injury to passengers or
airplane crewmembers.) US Airways
states that the intent of the NPRM has
already been accomplished with AD
2005–23–05. US Airways asserts that
AD 2005–23–05 requires replacement of
the telescopic girt bar on affected slide
rafts, and that during replacement of the
girt bar, the girt is reinstalled using the
same instructions referenced in the
NPRM. US Airways points out that the
compliance time of AD 2005–23–05 is
August 19, 2007. Therefore, US Airways
requests that we either withdraw the
NPRM or grant AD 2005–23–05 as an
alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) to the NPRM.
We do not agree to withdraw this AD,
since the applicability of AD 2005–23–
05 and this AD do not exactly match.
Also, this AD mandates a shorter
compliance time than AD 2005–23–05.
However, we do agree to provide credit
for accomplishing the actions in
paragraph (g) of AD 2005–23–05.
Paragraph (g) of AD 2005–23–05
references Airbus Service Bulletin
A320–52–1112, Revision 05, dated June
25, 2004, as the appropriate source of
service information for modifying the
telescopic girt bar. We have reviewed
Airbus Service Bulletin A320–52–1112,
Revision 05, and have determined that
accomplishing the actions in that
service bulletin is acceptable for
accomplishing the actions specified in
paragraph (f) of this AD. Therefore, we
have added a new paragraph (h) to this
AD allowing credit for accomplishment
of paragraph (g) of AD 2005–23–05. We
have reidentified the subsequent
paragraphs accordingly.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Change to the Cost of Compliance
We have reduced our estimate for the
number of affected airplanes of U.S.
registry.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the
available data, including the comments
received, and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the changes described
previously. We have determined that
the changes will neither increase the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:21 Sep 27, 2006
Jkt 208001
economic burden on any operator nor
increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 200 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The actions in this AD
take about 1 work hour per airplane, at
an average labor rate of $80 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the AD for U.S.
operators is $16,000, or $80 per
airplane.
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 AD will
not have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This AD will
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 this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
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56855
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
I
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
I
2006–20–03 Airbus: Amendment 39–14772.
Docket No. FAA–2006–24990;
Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–013–AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective November 2,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319,
A320, and A321 airplanes, certificated in any
category; on which Airbus Modification
20233, 25902, or 24365 (installation of slide
raft) has been done in production; excluding
those airplanes having manufacturer’s serial
numbers 1794, 2155, 2195, 2204, 2231, 2239,
2244, 2246, 2247, 2252, 2254, 2255, 2257,
2259, 2261, 2263, 2267, 2273, 2274, 2275,
2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 2286, 2288, 2297,
2301, 2307, 2310, 2314, 2327, 2369, and
subsequent.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from cases of girt bar
disengagement from the floor fitting during
deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward
passenger doors. We are issuing this AD to
prevent disengagement of the telescopic girt
bar from the airplane when the door is
opened in emergency situations, which could
result in the inability to open the passenger
door and to use the escape slide/raft at that
door during an emergency evacuation of the
airplane.
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.
Inspection and Repair
(f) Within 200 days after the effective date
of this AD, do a general visual inspection to
determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt
bar position of the forward left-hand and
right-hand passenger doors is incorrect, in
accordance with the Accomplishment
E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM
28SER1
56856
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 188 / Thursday, September 28, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–
25–1394, Revision 01, dated December 12,
2005. If the stiff part of the girt or the girt bar
position is incorrect, before further flight,
repair in accordance with the service
bulletin.
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.’’
(g) Inspecting and repairing if necessary
before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin
A320–25–1394, dated July 23, 2004, is
acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Credit for AD 2005–23–05, Amendment 39–
14363
(h) Accomplishing the actions required by
paragraph (g) of AD 2005–23–05 is acceptable
for compliance with the corresponding
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(i)(1) 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Related Information
(j) French airworthiness directive F–2005–
172, issued December 21, 2005, also
addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin
A320–25–1394, Revision 01, dated December
12, 2005, to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by
reference of this document in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a
copy of this service information. You may
review copies at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL–401,
Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the
Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or at 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://
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:21 Sep 27, 2006
Jkt 208001
www.archives.gov/federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
September 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 06–8229 Filed 9–27–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24867; Directorate
Identifier 2006–NM–064–AD; Amendment
39–14773; AD 2006–20–04]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier
Model DHC–8–102, –103, and –106
Airplanes, and Model DHC–8–200 and
DHC–8–300 Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Bombardier Model DHC–8–102, –103,
and –106 airplanes, and Model DHC–8–
200 and DHC–8–300 series airplanes.
This AD requires performing a one-time
general visual inspection for nonconforming chain links of chain
assemblies of the elevator trim system
and gust lock system, and corrective
actions if necessary. This AD also
requires temporary revisions to the
airplane flight manuals of the affected
airplanes, which describe procedures
for elevator trim checks. This AD results
from reports of several failures of the
elevator trim chain, due to hydrogen
embrittlement. We are issuing this AD
to prevent breakage of the elevator trim
chain, which would prevent the actual
position of the elevator trim tab from
being annunciated to the flightcrew.
Attempting to adjust the trim tab from
the full nose up or full nose down
position with a broken trim chain could
result in misleading information relative
to takeoff trim settings and consequent
loss of control on takeoff.
DATES: This AD becomes effective
November 2, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in the AD
as of November 2, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL–401,
Washington, DC.
Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier
Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt
Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K
1Y5, Canada, for service information
identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra
Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, Systems
and Flight Test Branch, ANE–172, FAA,
New York Aircraft Certification Office,
1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410,
Westbury, New York 11590; telephone
(516) 228–7320; fax (516) 794–5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness
directive (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 street address stated in the
ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would
apply to certain Bombardier Model
DHC–8–102, –103, and –106 airplanes,
and Model DHC–8–200 and DHC–8–300
series airplanes. That NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on
May 25, 2006 (71 FR 30070). That
NPRM proposed to require performing a
one-time inspection for non-conforming
chain links of chain assemblies of the
elevator trim system and gust lock
system, and corrective actions if
necessary. That NPRM also proposed to
require temporary revisions to the
airplane flight manuals of the affected
airplanes, which describe procedures
for elevator trim checks.
Comments
We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have
considered the single comment
received.
Request To Revise Costs of Compliance
One commenter, Horizon Air,
requests that we adjust the costs of
compliance in the NPRM. Horizon Air
asserts that, rather than the 5 work
hours specified in the NPRM to
accomplish the inspection on each
airplane, the figure specified by
Bombardier of 15 work hours to
E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM
28SER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 188 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56854-56856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8229]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24990; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-013-AD;
Amendment 39-14772; AD 2006-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires
an inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt bar
position of the forward left-hand and right-hand passenger doors is
incorrect, and repair if necessary. This AD results from cases of girt
bar disengagement from the floor fitting during deployment tests of
slide rafts at the forward passenger doors. We are issuing this AD to
prevent disengagement of the telescopic girt bar from the airplane when
the door is opened in emergency situations, which could result in the
inability to open the passenger door and to use the escape slide/raft
at that door during an emergency evacuation of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective November 2, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 2,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model
A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on June 12, 2006 (71 FR 33661). That NPRM proposed to require
an inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt bar
position of the forward left-hand and right-hand passenger doors is
incorrect, and repair if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Support for the NPRM
Airbus agrees with the NPRM.
Request To Withdraw the NPRM
The Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of its member, US
Airways, requests that we clarify the impact of AD 2005-23-05 on the
NPRM. (On October 25, 2005, we issued AD 2005-23-05, amendment 39-14363
(70 FR 69063, November 14, 2005), for certain Airbus Model A319-100,
A320-200, and A321-100 and -200 series
[[Page 56855]]
airplanes. AD 2005-23-05 requires modification of the telescopic girt
bar of the escape slide/raft assembly, and follow-on actions. AD 2005-
23-05 also requires a new modification of the telescopic girt bar and
the installation of placards on the modified girt bars, which terminate
the repetitive functional tests. We issued AD 2005-23-05 to prevent
failure of the escape slide/raft to deploy correctly, which could
result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and
consequent injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers.) US Airways
states that the intent of the NPRM has already been accomplished with
AD 2005-23-05. US Airways asserts that AD 2005-23-05 requires
replacement of the telescopic girt bar on affected slide rafts, and
that during replacement of the girt bar, the girt is reinstalled using
the same instructions referenced in the NPRM. US Airways points out
that the compliance time of AD 2005-23-05 is August 19, 2007.
Therefore, US Airways requests that we either withdraw the NPRM or
grant AD 2005-23-05 as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to
the NPRM.
We do not agree to withdraw this AD, since the applicability of AD
2005-23-05 and this AD do not exactly match. Also, this AD mandates a
shorter compliance time than AD 2005-23-05. However, we do agree to
provide credit for accomplishing the actions in paragraph (g) of AD
2005-23-05. Paragraph (g) of AD 2005-23-05 references Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-52-1112, Revision 05, dated June 25, 2004, as the
appropriate source of service information for modifying the telescopic
girt bar. We have reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1112,
Revision 05, and have determined that accomplishing the actions in that
service bulletin is acceptable for accomplishing the actions specified
in paragraph (f) of this AD. Therefore, we have added a new paragraph
(h) to this AD allowing credit for accomplishment of paragraph (g) of
AD 2005-23-05. We have reidentified the subsequent paragraphs
accordingly.
Change to the Cost of Compliance
We have reduced our estimate for the number of affected airplanes
of U.S. registry.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that the changes will neither increase the economic
burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 200 airplanes of U.S. registry. The actions
in this AD take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor
rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost
of the AD for U.S. operators is $16,000, or $80 per airplane.
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 AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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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]
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2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-20-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-14772. Docket No. FAA-2006-24990;
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-013-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective November 2, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
airplanes, certificated in any category; on which Airbus
Modification 20233, 25902, or 24365 (installation of slide raft) has
been done in production; excluding those airplanes having
manufacturer's serial numbers 1794, 2155, 2195, 2204, 2231, 2239,
2244, 2246, 2247, 2252, 2254, 2255, 2257, 2259, 2261, 2263, 2267,
2273, 2274, 2275, 2278, 2280, 2282, 2284, 2286, 2288, 2297, 2301,
2307, 2310, 2314, 2327, 2369, and subsequent.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from cases of girt bar disengagement from
the floor fitting during deployment tests of slide rafts at the
forward passenger doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent
disengagement of the telescopic girt bar from the airplane when the
door is opened in emergency situations, which could result in the
inability to open the passenger door and to use the escape slide/
raft at that door during an emergency evacuation of the airplane.
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.
Inspection and Repair
(f) Within 200 days after the effective date of this AD, do a
general visual inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt
and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand
passenger doors is incorrect, in accordance with the Accomplishment
[[Page 56856]]
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1394, Revision 01,
dated December 12, 2005. If the stiff part of the girt or the girt
bar position is incorrect, before further flight, repair in
accordance with the service bulletin.
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.''
(g) Inspecting and repairing if necessary before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1394, dated July 23, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Credit for AD 2005-23-05, Amendment 39-14363
(h) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of AD
2005-23-05 is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-172, issued December
21, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1394, Revision
01, dated December 12, 2005, to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for a copy of this service information. You may review
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov; or
at 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8229 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
