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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 218 (Wednesday, November 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60645-60647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29446]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-167-AD; Amendment 39-10201; AD 97-23-13]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 and A321 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 and A321 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the release cable 
of the forward and rear passenger doors, and replacement of any 
discrepant release cable with a new release cable. This amendment is 
prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to

[[Page 60646]]

prevent failure of the passenger door to open and consequent inability 
of the slide/slide raft to deploy, which could delay or impede 
passengers when exiting the airplane during an emergency.

DATES: Effective December 17, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 17, 1997.

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: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
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 and A321 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 
1997 (62 FR 42430). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection for discrepancies of the release cable of the forward and 
rear passenger doors, and replacement of any discrepant release cable 
with a new release cable.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 132 Airbus Model A320 and A321 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $7,920, or $60 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 substantial direct 
effects 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, 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 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:

97-23-13  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10201. Docket 97-NM-167-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 and A321 series airplanes, as 
specified in French airworthiness directive 96-171-083(B), dated 
August 28, 1996, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
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 (c) 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 the inability of the slide/slide raft to deploy due 
to a failure of the passenger door, which could delay or impede 
passengers when exiting the airplane during an emergency, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a detailed inspection of each release cable at the left- and 
right-hand side of doors 1 and 4 for any discrepancy, in accordance 
with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 25-12, Revision 1, dated March 
21, 1996. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
replace the release cable in accordance with the AOT.

    Note 2: This AD supersedes any relief provided by the Master 
Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a release cable, part number C37103-101 or C37103-103, on any 
airplane unless the release cable has been inspected to detect any 
discrepancy in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 25-
12, Revision 1, dated March 21, 1996. If any discrepancy is detected 
in accordance with the AOT, that release cable shall not be 
installed.
    (c) 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. 
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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (e) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 25-12, Revision 1, dated March 
21, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.

[[Page 60647]]

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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 96-171-083(B), dated August 28, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 17, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 3, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29446 Filed 11-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
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