AD 99-21-29

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires modification of the autopilot mode engagement/disengagement lever of the rudder artificial feel unit. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane due to the failure of the rudder artificial feel unit to properly disengage from autopilot mode during approach and landing.

Final rule.

99-21-29 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-11375. Docket 99-NM-94-AD.

Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, certificated in any category, except airplanes on which Airbus Industrie Modification 22624 has been accomplished or on which Modification 21999 was accomplished in production.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 reduced controllability of the airplane due to the failure of the rudder artificial feel unit to properly disengage from autopilot mode, accomplish the following:

Modification
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the rudder artificial feel unit in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-27-1042, Revision 3, dated April 7, 1999.

NOTE 2: Accomplishment of the modification, prior to the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-27-1042, dated March 21, 1992, Revision 1, dated June 6, 1998, or Revision 2, dated November 4, 1998, is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Spares
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install an artificial feel unit having part number D2727040000600, D2727040000651, D2727040000800, or D2727040000851 on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.

Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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. Incorporation by Reference

(e) The modificationshall be done in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-27-1042, Revision 3, dated April 7, 1999, which contains the following list of effective pages:

Page Number
Revision Level Shown on Page
Date Shown on Page
1-4
3
April 7, 1999
5-7
2
November 4, 1998
8-11
1
June 12, 1998

This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, Customer Services Directorate, 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 1999- 075-128(B), dated February 24, 1999.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on November 22, 1999.

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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 26, 1999 (64 FR 40319). That action proposed to require modification of the autopilot mode engagement/disengagement lever of the rudder artificial feel unit.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the four comments received.

Two commenters indicate that they are not affected by the proposed rule.

Two commenters support the proposed rule.

Conclusion
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.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 17 airplanes of U.S. registry willbe affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,120, or $360 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.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: