AD 95-12-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Model A320-231 series airplanes, that requires repetitive functional checks to detect leakage of the distribution piping of the engine fire extinguishing system, and repair, if necessary; and modification of the piping, which would terminate the inspection requirements. This amendment is prompted by reports of cracking of the engine fire extinguisher pipe, which resulted in leakage of the fire extinguisher agent. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent leakage of the fire extinguishing agent, which could prevent the proper distribution of the agent within the nacelle in the event of a fire.

Final rule.

95-12-04 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-9254. Docket 94-NM-98-AD.

Applicability: Model A320-231 series airplanes; manufacturer's serial numbers (MSN) 028, 035, 037, 038, 043, 045 through 058 inclusive, 064 through 067 inclusive, 074 through 077 inclusive, 080 through 082 inclusive, 089 through 092 inclusive, 095, and 096; 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in thisAD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent leakage of the fire extinguishing agent, which could prevent the proper distribution of the agent within the nacelle in the event of a fire, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a functional check to detect leakage of fire extinguishing agent from the distribution piping of the engine fire extinguishing system, in accordance with either Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 26-11, dated January 3, 1994, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1032, dated March 31, 1994.
(1) If no leakage is found, or if leakage is within the limits specified in the AOT or the service bulletin, repeat the functional check thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours.
(2) If any leakage is beyond the limits specified in the AOT or the service bulletin, prior to further flight, modify the piping in accordance with either the AOT or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1031, dated March 31, 1994.

(b) Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, modify the piping in accordance with either Airbus AOT 26-11, dated January 3, 1994, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1031, dated March 31, 1994. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive functional check requirements of this AD.

(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(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.

(e) The functional checks and modification shall be done in accordance with either Airbus AOT 26-11, dated January 3, 1994, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1031, dated March 31, 1994; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1032, dated March 31, 1994. 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 1995.

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 A320-231 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 30, 1995 (60 FR 5599). That action proposed to require repetitive visual inspections to detect leakage of the distribution piping of the engine fire extinguishing system, and repair, if necessary; and modification of the piping, which would terminate the inspection requirements.

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

The commenter supports the proposed rule.

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 48 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $40,320, or $2,880 per airplane.

The total 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.

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 amendspart 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: