RULES and REGULATIONS

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 39 (Docket No. 94 -NM - 08 -AD; Amendment 39 - 8930; AD 94 - 12 - 03) Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes Friday, June 3, 1994 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that currently requires mo dification of the belly fairing structure. This amendment revises the compliance time for accom plishment of the modification. This amendment is prompted by the fact that the compliance time of

the existing rule would have allowed operators of low- cycle airplanes to accomplish the modification at a time considerably later than that intended. The requirements of this amendment are intended to ensure that the structural integrity of the belly fairing structure is maintained. DATES: Effective July 5, 1994. The incorporation by reference of certain publications as listed in the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 10, 1994 ( 58 FR 64875 , December 10, 1993). 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 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: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer, Standardization Branch, ANM - 113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055 -4056; telephone (206) 227 -2797; fax (206) 227 - 1 320. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations by superseding AD 93 -24 - 11, Amendment 39 - 8760 ( 58 FR 64875 , December 10, 1993), which is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, wa s published in the Federal Register on February 2, 1994 ( 59 FR 4869 ). The action proposed to supersede AD 93 -24 - 11 to continue to require modification of the belly fairing structure, but to revise thecompliance time for accom plishing the mo dification. That action wa s prom pted by the fact that the com

pliance time currently specified in paragraph (a) of AD 93 -24 - 11 could allow certain operators to accomplish the modification at a time considerably later than that intended. The proposal proposed to revise the co mp liance time to “prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings on the airplane, or within 300 days after the effective date of the final rule, whichever occurs later.” This compliance time will ensure that the structural integrity of the belly fairing structure is maintained in a timely manner. Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the three comments received. All commenters support the proposed rule. 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 as proposed. The FAA estimates that 20 airplanes of U.S. registry were affecte d by AD 93 -24 - 11, and will continue to be affected by this supersedure of that AD. It wi ll take approximately 288 work hours per airplane to accomplish the actions currently required by AD 93 - 24 - 11, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,045 per airplane. Based on these figures, the current cost impact of AD 93 -24 - 11 on U.S. operators is estimated to be $337,700, or $16, 885 per airplane. The total cost im

pact figure discussed above is presented as i f no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of AD 93 -24 - 11 (or this supersedure of that AD). There are no foreseeable additional costs that will be imposed by this supersedure of AD 93 - 24 - 11. The regulations adopted herein will not have sub stantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of p ower and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612 , it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 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 Subj ects 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 1 4 CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows: PART 39

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a) , 1421 and 1423 ; 49 U.S.C. 106(g) ; and 14 CFR 11.89 . 14 CFR § 39.13 §39.13 (Amended) 14 CFR § 39.13 2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39 - 8760 ( 58 FR 64875 , December 10, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39 - 8930, to read as follows: 94 - 12 - 03 Airbus Industri e: Amendment 39 - 8930.Docket 94 -NM - 08 -AD. Supersedes AD 93 -24 - 11, Amendment 39 - 8760. Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, MSN 003 through 092 inclusive, certificated in any category. Com pliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent reduced structural integrity of the belly fairing structure, accomplish the following: (a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings on the airplane, or within 300 days after January 10, 1994 (the effective date of AD 93 -24 - 11, Amendment 39 - 8760), whi chever occurs later: Modify the belly fairing structure in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320 - 53 - 1014, dated June 25, 1992, or Revision 1, dated May 26, 1993. (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the com pliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM - 113, FAA, Transport Airplane D irectorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM - 113. Note: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM - 113.(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Re gulations ( 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (d) The mo dification shall be done in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320 - 53 - 1014, dated June 25, 1992, or Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320 - 53 - 1014, Revision 1, dated May 26, 1993. The incorporation by reference of these documents wa s approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of January 10, 1994 ( 59 FR 64875 , December 10, 1993). 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 Fe deral Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 1994. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 1994. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. FR Doc. 94 - 13372