Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 543 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0467; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–NM–023–AD; Amendment 

39–17716; AD 2013–26–07] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 

A321 series airplanes. This AD was 

prompted by reports of certain sliding 

windows that were difficult to operate 

after landing. This AD requires a 

detailed inspection to identify part 

numbers of sliding windows and sliding 

window seals, and modification if 

necessary. This AD also includes an 

optional replacement. We are issuing 

this AD to detect and correct incorrect 

seals, which could lead to the functional 

loss of the sliding window as an exit, 

possibly preventing the flightcrew from 

safely evacuating the airplane during an 

emergency. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

February 10, 2014. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of February 10, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov/

#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0467; or in 

person at the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

For Airbus service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 

Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond 

Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 

Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 

96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email 

account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. For 

PPG Aerospace service information 

identified in this AD, contact PPG 

Aerospace, 12780 San Fernando Road, 

Sylmar, CA 91342; telephone 818–362– 

6711; fax 818–362–0603; Internet http:// 

corporateportal.ppg.com/na/aerospace. 

You may view this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1405; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on July 3, 2013 (78 FR 40057). 

The NPRM proposed to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2013–0011, 

dated January 15, 2013 (referred to after 

this as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI 

states: 

Several occurrences have been reported on 

A320 family aeroplanes of PPG sliding 

windows that were difficult to operate after 

landing. 

The investigation results revealed that 

when a seal having Part Number (P/N) 22– 

17–7640–1 or P/N 22–17–7640–2 is installed 

on a sliding window, closure of the window 

can create a vacuum between the 2 tubes of 

the pressure seal, leading to the window 

remaining stuck to the frame on the fuselage 

side, due to suction effect. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to the functional loss of 

the sliding window as an exit, possibly 

preventing the flight crew from safely 

evacuating the aeroplane during an 

emergency. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires a one-time detailed 

inspection (DI) of the sliding windows and 

its seal to identify the affected sliding 

window seals and, depending on findings, 

accomplishment of the applicable corrective 

actions [corrective action includes a 

modification or replacement]. 

The subject area on certain Airbus 

Model A318, A319, and A321 series 

airplanes is almost identical to that on 

the affected Model A320 series 

airplanes. Therefore, those Model A318, 

A319, and A321 series airplanes may be 

subject to the unsafe condition revealed 

on the Model A320 series airplanes. You 

may examine the MCAI in the AD 

docket on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov/

#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0467- 

0002. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

considered the comment received. 

Request for Identification Change 

United Airlines (UAL) requested that 

the modification be recorded at the part 

number level, instead of the serial 

number level. UAL explained that reidentifying the post-modification 

window at the serial number level only 

will potentially lead to de-modification 

of the window, which could result in 

the unsafe condition identified in the 

NPRM (78 FR 40057, July 3, 2013). UAL 

reasoned that re-identifying the window 

at the part number level would better 

allow operators to manage the post-AD 

configuration. 

UAL provided further substantiation 

to add the ‘‘M’’ to the part number 

instead of the serial number during a 

teleconference with us during the week 

of September 23, 2013. UAL’s reason for 

adding the ‘‘M’’ to the part number is 

related to the convenience/preference of 

UAL maintenance practices. 

We disagree with the request to 

require recording the modification at the 

part number level. After coordinating 

with Airbus, we have determined that 

adding ‘‘M’’ to the serial number will 

prevent installation of unsafe sliding 

window part numbers without changing 

the part number configuration and 

associated administrative processes to 

change part numbers. However, we have 

revised paragraph (h) of this final rule 

to include phrasing to clarify and to 

allow for modification to be recorded at 

the serial number level of the affected 

part number. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this AD 

with the change described previously 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 

40057, July 3, 2013) for correcting the 

unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 40057, 

July 3, 2013). 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we 

estimate that this AD affects about 851 

products of U.S. registry. We also 

estimate that it will take about 3 workVerDate Mar<15>2010 16:04 Jan 03, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\06JAR1.SGM 06JAR1

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544 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 

hours per product to comply with the 

basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be 

$217,005, or $255 per product. 

In addition, we estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions will take 

about 1 work-hour and require parts 

costing $0, for a cost of $85 per product. 

We have no way of determining the 

number of products that may need these 

actions. 

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 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 the 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in 

Alaska; and 

4. 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov/

#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0467- 

0002; or in person at the Docket 

Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. 

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: 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

2013–26–07 Airbus: Amendment 39–17716. 

Docket No. FAA–2013–0467; Directorate 

Identifier 2013–NM–023–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective February 10, 2014. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Model A318– 

111, –112, –121, and –122 airplanes; Model 

A319–111, –112, –113, –114, –115, –131, 

–132, and –133 airplanes; Model A320–111, 

–211, –212, –214, –231, –232, and –233 

airplanes; and Model A321–111, –112, –131, 

–211, –212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes; 

certificated in any category; all manufacturer 

serial numbers. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 56, Windows. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

certain sliding windows that were difficult to 

operate after landing. We are issuing this AD 

to detect and correct incorrect seals, which 

could lead to the functional loss of the 

sliding window as an exit, possibly 

preventing the flightcrew from safely 

evacuating the airplane during an emergency. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for having the actions 

required by this AD performed within the 

compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

(g) Inspection 

Within 750 flight cycles or 750 flight hours 

or 4 months after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed 

inspection to identify part numbers (P/Ns) of 

each window and seal of the left-hand (LH) 

and right-hand (RH) sliding windows and 

sliding window seals, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–56–1016, including 

Appendices 01 and 02, dated September 14, 

2012. A review of airplane maintenance 

records is acceptable in lieu of this 

inspection if the part number of the window 

and seal of the LH and RH sliding windows 

and sliding window seals can be 

conclusively determined from that review. 

(h) Modification 

If a sliding window part number identified 

in table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD is found 

during the inspection required by paragraph 

(g) of this AD; and the serial number of the 

part does not have the modification 

amendment letter ‘‘M,’’ and does have sliding 

window seals having P/N 22–17–7640–1 or 

P/N 22–17–7640–2 installed: Within the 

compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of 

this AD, modify the sliding window seal 

(which includes adding the letter ‘‘M’’ to 

serial number of the affected part), in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

56–1015, dated September 14, 2012. 

TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (h) OF THIS

AD—AFFECTED PPG AEROSPACE

SLIDING WINDOW PART NUMBERS

Left-hand Right-hand 

NP165312–1 NP165312–2 

NP165312–3 NP165312–4 

NP165312–5 NP165312–6 

NP165312–7 NP165312–8 

NP165312–9 NP165312–10 

NP165312–11 NP165312–12 

(i) Optional Replacement 

For sliding windows identified as affected 

in paragraph (h) of this AD, replacement of 

a sliding window seal having P/N 22–17– 

7640–1 L/H or P/N 22–17–7640–2 R/H with 

a seal having P/N 22–17–7640–3 L/H or P/ 

N 22–17–7640–4 R/H, respectively, in 

accordance with a method approved by 

either the Manager, International Branch, 

ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

FAA, or the European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent), is an 

acceptable alternative method of compliance 

with the modification required by paragraph 

(h) of this AD. 

Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: 

Guidance for replacement of a sliding 

window seal can be found in Page Block 401 

of Sub-section 56–12–11 of the Airbus A318/ 

A319/A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance 

Manual. 

(j) Exceptions to Requirements of Paragraphs 

(g) and (h) of This AD 

(1) Airplanes on which Airbus 

Modification 153512 (installation of sliding 


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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 545 

window with P/N NP165312–13 and P/N 

NP165312–14 with improved seal) or 

Modification 153534 (installation of sliding 

window with P/N NP165312–11 and P/N 

NP165312–12 with amendment M) has been 

embodied in production are not affected by 

the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of 

this AD, provided that no sliding window or 

sliding window seal has been replaced since 

first flight. 

(2) Airplanes on which Airbus 

Modification 39587 (installation of affected 

seal on PPG Aerospace sliding windows) has 

not been embodied in production are not 

affected by the requirements of paragraphs (g) 

and (h) of this AD, provided that no sliding 

window or sliding window seal has been 

replaced since first flight. 

(k) Parts Installation Limitation 

As of the effective date of this AD, no 

person may install on any airplane any PPG 

Aerospace sliding window with a part 

number listed in table 1 to paragraph (h) of 

this AD with a seal having P/N 22–17–7640– 

1 or P/N 22–17–7640–2, unless the seal has 

been modified in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A320–56–1015, dated 

September 14, 2012; or PPG Aerospace 

Service Bulletin 165312–56–001, dated 

February 29, 2012. 

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone (425) 227–1405; fax (425) 227– 

1149. Information may be emailed to: 9- 

ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/

certificate holding district office. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(m) Related Information 

Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2013–0011, dated 

January 15, 2013, for related information. 

This MCAI may be found in the AD docket 

on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov/

#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0467-0002. 

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–56–1015, 

dated September 14, 2012. 

(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A320–56–1016, 

including Appendices 01 and 02, dated 

September 14, 2012. 

(iii) PPG Aerospace Service Bulletin 

165312–56–001, dated February 29, 2012. 

(3) For Airbus service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 

Airworthiness Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point 

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 

France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 

5 61 93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@

airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

(4) For PPG Aerospace service information 

identified in this AD, contact PPG Aerospace, 

12780 San Fernando Road, Sylmar, CA 

91342; telephone 818–362–6711; fax 818– 

362–0603; Internet http://

corporateportal.ppg.com/na/aerospace. 

(5) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(6) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http://

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

December 20, 2013. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–31313 Filed 1–3–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0032; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–236–AD; Amendment 

39–17717; AD 2013–26–08] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 737–600, 

–700, –700C, –800, and –900 series 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of arcing and smoke at the left 

number 2 window in the flight deck. 

This AD requires inspecting the 

orientation of both sides of the coil cord 

connector keyways of the number 2 

windows on the flight deck; re-clocking 

the connector keyways, if necessary; 

and replacing the coil cord assemblies 

on both number 2 windows on the flight 

deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

arcing, smoke, and fire in the flight 

deck, which could lead to injuries to or 

incapacitation of the flightcrew. 

DATES: This AD is effective February 10, 

2014. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of February 10, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data 

& Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, 

MC2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; 

fax 206–766–5680; Internet https://

www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view 

this service information at the FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2011– 

0032; or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Docket Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Louis Natsiopoulos, Aerospace 

Engineer, Systems and Equipment 

Branch, ANM–130S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057– 

3356; phone: 425–917–6478; fax: 425– 

917–6590; email: Elias.Natsiopoulos@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 


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