AD 2006-16-14

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to determine the part number of the twin motor actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of a low pressure valve of the twin motor actuator found partially open, although the valve detection system indicated that the valve was closed. Investigation revealed that the locating pin in the actuator was too short to engage with the valve slot, resulting in incorrect alignment of the actuator and the drive assembly, causing the valve to remain partially open. We are issuing this AD to ensure that, in the event of an engine fire, the valve actuator functions properly to block the fuel flow to the engine and prevent an uncontrollable fire.

Final rule.

2006-16-14 Airbus: Amendment 39-14714. Docket No. FAA-2006-23889; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-252-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective September 22, 2006.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes, certificated in any category, except airplanes having manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 2155 and subsequent.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of a low pressure valve of the twin motor actuator found partially open, although the valve detection system indicated that the valve was closed. Investigation revealed that the locating pin in the actuator was too short to engage with the valve slot, resulting in incorrect alignment of the actuator and the drive assembly, causing the valve to remain partially open. We are issuing this AD to ensure that, in the event of an engine fire, the valve actuator functions properly to block the fuel flow to the engine and prevent an uncontrollable fire.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection/Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

(f) Within 6,000 flight hours or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is first: Inspect to determine the part number (P/N) of the twin motor actuators in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated April 11, 2006.

(1) For airplanes having any actuator with P/N FRH010041 or P/N FRH010034, no further action is required by this paragraph.

(2) For airplanes having any actuator with P/N HTE190001-2, where the actuator serial number is not identified in Appendix 01 of the service bulletin, no further action is required by this paragraph.

(3) For airplanes having any actuator with P/N HTE190001 or HTE190001-1, do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight, in accordance with the service bulletin.

(4) For airplanes have any actuator with P/N HTE190001-2, where the actuator serial number is identified in Appendix 01 of the service bulletin, do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight, in accordance with the service bulletin.

Note 1: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, dated April 11, 2006, refers to FR-HiTEMP Service Bulletin HTE190001-28- 003, dated March 30, 2004, as an additional source of service information for determining the P/N of the twin motor actuators and accomplishing any related investigative and corrective actions.

Acceptable for Compliance

(g) Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, including Appendix 01, dated November 19, 2004, is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of that paragraph.

Parts Installation

(h) As of the effective date of this AD: No person may install an actuator with P/N HTE190001, HTE190001-1, or HTE190001-2, and a serial number identified in Appendix 01 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, dated April 11, 2006, on any airplane unless all applicable related investigative and corrective actions have been done in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-189, dated November 23, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(k) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated April 11, 2006, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2006 (71 FR 28825). That supplemental NPRM proposed to require inspecting to determine the part number of the twin motor actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to revise the original NPRM by expanding the applicability.Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We have considered the single comment received.

Request To Add Revised Service Information to Applicability Section

Airbus advises that the service bulletin specified in the supplemental NPRM has been revised. Airbus notes that Airbus Service Bulletin A320-28-1122, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated April 11, 2006 (the original issue of the service bulletin was referenced in the supplemental NPRM for accomplishing the specified actions), changes the recommended status of the original issue to mandatory in Revision 01.

We agree with Airbus. We have reviewed Revision 01 of the service bulletin and note that it does not necessitate additional work. We have revised paragraph (f) of the AD to reflect Revision 01 of the service bulletin. In addition, we have added a new paragraph (g) to this AD specifying that accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (f) of the ADin accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin is considered to be an acceptable method of compliance. Subsequent paragraphs of the AD have been re-identified accordingly.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. These changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

This AD affects about 763 airplanes of U.S. registry. The inspection takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this AD on U.S. operators is $61,040, or $80 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, "General requirements." Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):