AD 97-23-13

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 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.

Final rule.

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 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 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. 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.

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 part39 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: