[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37026-37028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14434]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-22-AD; Amendment 39-11774; AD 2000-11-25]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-232 and -233 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-232 and -233 series airplanes,
that requires replacement of the fuel metering units (FMU) of each
engine with modified FMU's. This amendment is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent an inadvertent increase in thrust, which could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane during final approach.
DATES: Effective July 18, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 18, 2000.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
[[Page 37027]]
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-232 and
-233 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March
27, 2000 (65 FR 16157). That action proposed to require replacement of
the fuel metering units (FMU) of each engine with new FMU's.
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 for the Proposal
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
Extension of Compliance Threshold
One commenter, an operator, requests that the compliance threshold
in the proposed AD be revised to allow the FMU replacements to be
completed by December 31, 2001, as recommended in the related Airbus
service bulletin. The commenter states that the FMU manufacturer has
indicated that its capacity for modification of existing units and
manufacture of new units will not be sufficient to meet the 12-month
deadline that was specified in the proposed AD.
The FAA concurs with this request. Based on information received
since issuance of the proposed AD, the available supply of FMU's will
be inadequate to meet the replacement requirements of the AD in the
time proposed. In light of this situation, the FAA has determined that
extending the compliance time to ``18 months after the effective date
of this AD'' will accommodate the time necessary for affected operators
to obtain replacement parts without adversely affecting safety. The FAA
considers that this extension will be approximately equivalent to the
calendar date suggested by the commenter. The final rule has been
revised accordingly.
Reference to FMU Replacement Parts
The same commenter suggests that the proposed AD be revised to
refer to replacement of FMU's with ``upgraded'' or ``modified'' FMU's.
The commenter states that, although the proposed AD requires
replacement of the FMU's with ``new'' FMU's, the existing (old)
configuration FMU's also can be modified, reidentified, and
reinstalled. The commenter states that rewording the AD will avoid the
possible misinterpretation that only new (zero total time) FMU's are
acceptable as replacement parts.
The FAA acknowledges that clarification of the requirements is
necessary. The FAA's intent in the proposal was to require replacement
of the FMU's with FMU's having a different part number, as specified in
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-73-1067, dated August 11, 1999. That
service bulletin is referenced in the proposed AD as the appropriate
source of service information. Although the term ``new'' could be
construed as installing a new unit of the same part number, the FAA
notes that replacement with the same part number is not specified in
the service bulletin. To avoid confusion, the FAA has revised the final
rule to specify that FMU's are to be replaced with ``modified'' FMU's.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 77 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 14 work hours per
airplane (7 work hours per engine) to accomplish the required
replacements, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer or vendor at no
cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $64,680, or $840 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have 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.
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
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2000-11-25 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11774. Docket 2000-NM-22-
AD.
Applicability: Model A320-232 and -233 series airplanes,
certificated in any category, except those airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 27146 or 28006 has been installed, or on which Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-73-1067 has been accomplished.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
[[Page 37028]]
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent an inadvertent increase in thrust, which could result
in reduced controllability of the airplane during final approach,
accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the fuel metering units (FMU) of each engine with modified
FMU's, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-73-1067,
dated August 11, 1999.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-73-1067, dated August 11, 1999. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2000-005-143(B), dated January 12, 2000.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14434 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
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