Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A310, A319, A320, A321, A330, and A340 Series Airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This document proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A310, A330, and A340 series airplanes; all Model A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and all A319, A320, A321 series airplanes. That AD requires repetitive checks of the alternate braking system, and replacement of the braking dual distribution valve (BDDV) if necessary. This action would require, for certain airplanes, inspecting and/or replacing the BDDV cover with an improved cover. For all other airplanes, this action would provide for optional termination of the repetitive checks. This action would also revise the applicability of the existing AD. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the alternate braking system, which could result in the airplane overrunning the end of the runway during landing.

DATES:

Comments must be received by April 18, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-267-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain “Docket No. 2000-NM-267-AD” in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.

Submit comments using the following format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
• For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed AD is being requested.
• Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each request.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. 2000-NM-267-AD.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket 2000-NM-267-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

On July 22, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-15-51, amendment 39-10678 (63 FR 40805, July 31, 1998), applicable to all Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A300, A310, A300-600, A330, and A340 series airplanes. That AD requires repetitive in-flight operational checks of the alternate braking system, and replacement of the braking dual distribution valve (BDDV) with a serviceable part, if necessary. That action was prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent failure of the alternate braking system, which could result in the airplane overrunning the end of the runway during landing.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

In the preamble to AD 98-15-51, the FAA specified that the actions required by that AD were considered “interim action,” and indicated that it may consider further rulemaking action. The manufacturer has identified the more exposed location of the BDDV on Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes as a major contributing factor to water ingress in the BDDV cover. The manufacturer has developed a modification that will positively address the unsafe condition for those airplanes. The FAA has determined that further rulemaking action is indeed necessary; this proposed AD follows from that determination.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) 32-19, Revision 04, dated April 29, 1999. The original version of the AOT was cited as the appropriate source of service information for doing the operational checks required by AD 98-15-51. Revision 04 was issued to provide operators with certain updated information; the accomplishment instructions remain essentially unchanged.

Airbus has issued the following service bulletins for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes:

Accomplishment of the actions specified in the AOT and Service Bulletins A320-32-1199 and A320-32-1203 is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The Direction Generale de l'. Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, classified these two service bulletins as mandatory. The DGAC issued French airworthiness directive 2000-258-146(B), dated June 14, 2000, to mandate the terminating action for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes in France.

Airbus has issued additional service bulletins that describe procedures to modify the emergency BDDV. The modification involves replacing the BDDV cover with a new, improved cover, which includes a bonded seal, new attachment parts, and a transparent drain hose. This modification, if accomplished, would eliminate the need for the repetitive checks. The service bulletins are identified as follows:

FAA's Conclusions

These airplanes are manufactured in France and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would supersede AD 98-15-51 to continue to require repetitive in-flight operational checks of the alternate braking system, and replacement of the BDDV with a serviceable part if necessary. In addition, this action would:

• Require repetitive inspections to detect corrosion of the rocker arm mechanism inside the BDDV cover, and corrective actions if necessary, for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes modified per Service Bulletin A320-32-1200.
• Require the eventual replacement of the BDDV cover with a new, improved cover for all Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, which would terminate the requirements of the AD for those airplanes.
• Provide for optional terminating action for the repetitive operational checks.
• Remove airplanes from the applicability of the existing AD.

The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described previously.

Operators should note that Service Bulletins A300-32-0429, A300-32-6075, A310-32-2113, A320-32-1203, A330-32-3086, and A340-32-4122 recommend subsequent repetitive inspections at each “4A check” to detect water inside the drain tube. However, to be consistent with the recommendations of the DGAC, this AD does not specify a 4A-check inspection, which is a task included in the airplane maintenance planning document.

Clarification of Model Designation

Since the issuance of AD 98-15-51, the FAA has changed the manner in which it identifies the airplane models referred to as Airbus Model “A300 series airplanes” and “A300-600 series airplanes” to reflect the model designation specified on the type certificate data sheet. This proposed AD specifies the appropriate model designations for those airplanes.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 367 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be affected by this proposed AD. Of these, approximately 311 are Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.

The repetitive operational checks that are currently required by AD 98-15-51 and retained in this AD take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently required repetitive checks is estimated to be $60 per airplane, per check.

The new inspection that is proposed in this AD action for certain Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new inspection proposed by this AD is estimated to be $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

The new BDDV cover replacement that is proposed in this AD action for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $55,980, or $180 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed 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.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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.