AD 98-22-05

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box; and repair, if necessary. This amendment also requires modification of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 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 fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Final rule.

98-22-05 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10851. Docket 98-NM-29-AD.

Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22418 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1043, Revision 02, dated May 14, 1997) has not been accomplished, 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 (f) 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 fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (e) of this AD: Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a high frequency eddy current inspection to detect fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1082, Revision 01, dated December 10, 1997. Repeat the eddy current inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 7,500 flight cycles until the actions required by paragraph (c) of this AD are accomplished.

(b) Except as provided by paragraph (d) of this AD: If any cracking is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1082, Revision 01, dated December 10, 1997. Accomplishment of the repair constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections for the repaired area only.

(c) Prior to the accumulation of 25,000 total flight cycles, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a high frequency eddy current inspection to detect fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1082, Revision 01, dated December 10, 1997.

(1) If no cracking is detected: Prior to further flight, modify the lower surface panel on the wing center box, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1043, Revision 02, dated May 14, 1997. Accomplishment of the modification constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

(2) Except as provided by paragraph (d) of this AD, if any cracking is detected: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57- 1082, Revision 01, dated December 10, 1997; and modify any uncracked area in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1043, Revision 02, dated May 14, 1997. Accomplishment of the repair of cracked area(s) and modification of uncracked area(s) constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

(d) If any cracking is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (b) or (c)(2) of this AD, and the applicable service bulletin specifies to contact Airbus for an appropriate action: Prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Direction G n rale de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent).

(e) The actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD are not required to be accomplished if the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD are accomplishedat the time specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

(f) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

(g) 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.

(h) Except as provided by paragraph (d) of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1082, Revision01, dated December 10, 1997, and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1043, Revision 02, dated May 14, 1997, which contains the following list of effective pages:

Revision Level
Page Number
Date
Shown on Page

Shown on Page
1-6, 8, 13-14
02
May 14, 1997
7, 9-12, 15
Original
February 16, 1993

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, 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 97-309- 104(B), dated October 22, 1997.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on November 27, 1998.

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 August 26, 1998 (63 FR 45423). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections to detect fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box; and repair, if necessary. That action also proposed to require modification of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

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

The 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 60 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,200, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. There are no parts necessary to accomplish the modification. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,200, or $120 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplishthose 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 andit 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: