[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30124-30125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14609]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-22-AD; Amendment 39-10410; AD 98-12-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; confirmation of effective date.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-111 series airplanes. This 
amendment requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking around the 
attachment holes for the access panels in the lower skin of the wing; 
and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified in this AD are intended 
to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The direct final rule published at 63 FR 13508 is 
effective on June 18, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
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: The FAA published this direct final rule 
with request for comments in the Federal

[[Page 30125]]

Register on March 20, 1998 (63 FR 13508). The FAA uses the direct final 
rulemaking procedure for a non-controversial rule where the FAA 
anticipates that there will be no adverse public comment. This direct 
final rule advised the public that no adverse comments were 
anticipated, and that unless a written adverse comment, or a written 
notice of intent to submit such an adverse comment, was received within 
the comment period, the regulation would become effective on June 18, 
1998.
    Two comments were received. Both commenters support the rule. 
However, one of the commenters requests clarification of the 
applicability of the rule, which is stated in the direct final rule as 
follows:
    ``Applicability: Model A320-111 series airplanes, as identified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1056, Revision 1, dated July 15, 1997, 
including Appendix 1; certificated in any category.''
    The commenter notes that when an operator is not affected by a 
service bulletin, that operator only receives a copy of the summary 
section of the service bulletin. The summary of a service bulletin 
provides a list of affected operators; it does not provide 
manufacturer's serial numbers for the affected airplanes. This results 
in difficulty for an operator, a leasing group, or other non-technical 
group to evaluate any pending or applicable rules against a specific 
airplane serial number. Therefore, the commenter proposes that the 
applicability of the rule reference specific serial numbers for 
affected airplanes, as follows.
    ``Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes having manufacturer's 
serial numbers 002 through 008 inclusive; 010 through 014 inclusive; 
and 016 through 018 inclusive; certificated in any category.''
    The FAA concurs that this AD applies to the airplanes identified by 
the commenter. The applicability, as presented in the rule, is 
equivalent to the applicability suggested by the commenter. Therefore, 
the FAA finds that no change to the rule is necessary. As the commenter 
points out, those operators that are affected by the rule will receive 
the entire service bulletin (not just the summary) and will, therefore, 
be informed of the specific serial numbers to which this AD applies.
    The same commenter also requests clarification of the cost impact 
information. The commenter notes that this information specifies that 
there are 118 Model A320-111 airplanes of U.S. registry. The commenter 
indicates that only 22 Model A320-100 series airplanes were 
manufactured, and that none of these are on the U.S. Register. The 
commenter believes that the number 118 reflects all Model A319 and A320 
airplanes on the U.S. Register, and not the actual number of Model 
A320-100 series airplanes. The commenter adds that Model A319-100 
series airplanes are being manufactured, and are on the U.S. Register, 
but are not considered to be Model A320-100 series airplanes.
    The FAA concurs with the clarification provided by the commenter. 
The number of airplanes affected by the direct final rule reflects the 
FAA's estimation of the total number of Airbus Model A319, A320, and 
A321 series airplanes currently on the U.S. register. However, no 
change to the direct final rule is necessary, since it indicates that 
none of the affected airplanes are on the U.S. Register.
    No adverse comments were received, and thus this notice confirms 
that this final rule will become effective on that date.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 27, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14609 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U