AD 98-19-18

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310, A300-600, and A320 series airplanes, that currently requires inspections to verify proper installation of the grill over the air extraction duct of the lavatory and to detect blockages in the air extraction duct of the lavatory, and correction of any discrepancies. This amendment adds a requirement for modification of the grill of the air extraction duct, which, when accomplished, terminates the repetitive inspections. This amendment also expands the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes. 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 obstructions in the air extraction system of the lavatory, which may result in the failure of the smoke detection system to detect smoke in the lavatories.

Final rule.

98-19-18 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10759. Docket 97-NM-107-AD. Supersedes AD 95-04-12, Amendment 39-9164.

Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 10156 has not been accomplished (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2023 or A300-26- 6024), and Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 22561 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1017) or Airbus Modification 24548 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1037) 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 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 obstructions in the air extraction system of the lavatory, which may result in the failure of the smoke detection system to detect smoke in the lavatories, accomplish the following:

RESTATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS OF AD 95-04-12:
(a) Within 450 flight hours after March 17, 1995 (the effective date of AD 95-04-12), perform an inspection of each lavatory to verify proper installation of the grill over the air extraction duct of the lavatories, and to detect blockage in the air extraction duct of the lavatories, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 26-12, Revision 1, dated July 4, 1994.(1) If the grill is found to be properly installed and if no blockage is found, repeat the inspection thereafter whenever the cover over the air extraction duct of the lavatories or any ceiling louver (grill) of the ceiling light in the lavatory is removed or replaced for any reason.

(2) If the grill is found to be improperly installed and/or if blockage is found, prior to further flight, correct any discrepancies found, in accordance with Airbus AOT 26-12, Revision 1, dated July 4, 1994. Repeat the inspection thereafter whenever the cover over the air extraction duct of the lavatories or any ceiling louver (grill) of the ceiling light in the lavatory is removed or replaced for any reason.

NEW REQUIREMENTS OF THIS AD:
(b) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, modify the grill of the air extraction duct of the lavatory, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2030, Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997 (for Model A310 series airplanes); A300-26-6030, Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes); or A320-26-1037, Revision 02, dated July 8, 1997 (for Model A320 series airplanes); as applicable. Accomplishment of the modification constitutes terminating action for the inspection requirements of paragraph (a) 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, 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 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.

(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus AOT 26-12, Revision 1, dated July 4, 1994; Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2030, Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-26-6030, Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997; or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1037, Revision 02, dated July 8, 1997; as applicable.

(1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-26-2030, Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-26-6030, Revision 02, dated April 4, 1997; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-26-1037, Revision 02, dated July 8, 1997; is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus AOT 26-12, Revision 1, dated July 4, 1994, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 17, 1995 (60 FR 11619, March 2, 1995).

(3) 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 directives 96-186-204(B)R1, dated January 15, 1997, and 96-007-073(B), dated January 3, 1996.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on October 21, 1998.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 95-04-12, amendment 39-9164 (60 FR 11619, March 2, 1995), which is applicable to certain Airbus Model A310, A300-600, and A320 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 1998 (63 FR 39771). The action proposed to continue to require inspections to verify proper installation of the grill over the air extraction duct of the lavatory and to detect blockages in the air extraction duct of the lavatory, and correction of any discrepancies. The action also proposed to add a requirement for modification of the grill of the air extraction duct, which, when accomplished, would terminate the repetitive inspections. The action also proposed to expand the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes.

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

One commenter supports the proposed rule; the other commenter has no objection to 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
There are approximately 36 Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, 54 Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes, and 118 Airbus Model A320 series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The inspections that are currently required by AD 95-04-12, and retained in this AD, take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently required inspections on U.S. operators is estimated to be $24,960, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

For Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, the new required modification will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane (5 lavatories per airplane; 1 work hour per lavatory) to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators of Airbus Model A310 series airplanes is estimated to be $10,800, or $300 per airplane.

For Airbus Model A300-600 and A320 series airplanes, the new required modification will take approximately 10 work hours per airplane (5 lavatories per airplane; 2 work hours per lavatory) to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators of Airbus Model A300-600 and A320 series airplanes is estimated to be $103,200, or $600 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 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 removing amendment 39-9164 (60 FR 11619, March 2, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-10759, to read as follows: