[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1350-1353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-503]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-349-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330,
and A340 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320,
A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes. This proposal would require
revising the Airplane Flight Manual to provide the flight crew with
certain instructions associated with the Global Positioning System
(GPS). This proposal also would require modification of the Global
Positioning System Signal Unit (GPSSU) of the satellite navigational
system. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
position and altitude errors due to bad oscillator warm-up
characteristics of the GPSSU, which could result in navigational errors
that may exceed 0.5 nautical mile.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 9, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-349-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-349-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-349-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
[[Page 1351]]
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and
A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the navigational satellite
signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS) (located in the cockpit)
may be incorrectly measured by the Global Positioning System Signal
Unit (GPSSU) (located in the fuselage) due to bad oscillator warm-up
characteristics of the GPSSU. In the event that only one GPS in the
cockpit is operative, the erroneous GPS position computation may not be
detected. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
navigational errors that may exceed 0.5 nautical mile.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Airbus Service Bulletins A320-34-1191,
dated July 12, 1999, and A320-34-1196, dated July 15, 1999 (for Model
A319, A320 and A321 series airplanes); A330-34-3082, Revision 01, dated
September 28, 1999, and A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September 28,
1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes); and A340-34-4089, Revision 01,
dated September 28, 1999, and A340-34-4092, Revision 01, dated
September 28, 1999 (for Model A340 series airplanes). These service
bulletins describe procedures for modification of the GPSSU of the
satellite navigational system. The modification involves modifying the
hardware and software in order to minimize synchronization conditions,
accommodate an automatic reset and the GPS week number rollover, and
provide failure recording capabilities in the non-volatile memory.
In addition, these service bulletins identify related service
bulletins that must be accomplished prior to or concurrent with the
applicable service bulletin. These additional service bulletins are as
follows:
A320-34-1119
A330-34-3015
A340-34-4022
A340-34-4078
The Airbus service bulletins described previously also reference
LITTON Service Bulletin 2001-34-13, dated July 8, 1999, and 2001-34-14,
dated July 5, 1999, as additional sources of service information for
modification of the GPSSU the satellite navigational system.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Airbus service
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition. The DGAC classified these Airbus service bulletins as
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 1999-361-138(B),
dated September 8, 1999 (for Models A319, A320, and A321 series
airplanes); 1999-354-101(B), dated September 8, 1999 (for Model A330
series airplanes); and 1999-355-123(B), dated September 8, 1999 (for
Model A340 series airplanes); in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
The French airworthiness directives also require revising the
applicable Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flight crew with
certain instructions regarding deselecting the GPS navigational system.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the Airbus service bulletins described
previously. The proposed AD also requires revising the FAA-approved AFM
to provide the flight crew with certain instructions associated with
the GPS.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revision, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the AFM revision proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $60, or $60 per airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60, or $60
per airplane.
It would take between 3 to 14 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed additional modifications required to be accomplished prior
to or concurrent with the proposed modification, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work. Required parts would be provided by the vendor or
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the additional modifications proposed by this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be between $180 to $840 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation
[[Page 1352]]
Administration proposes to amend 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-349-AD.
Applicability: Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and A340 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as follows:
Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes on which
Airbus Modification 28578 (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1191,
dated July 12, 1999), or Airbus Modification 28579 (Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-34-1196, dated July 15) has not been accomplished;
equipped with a LITTON Global Positioning Satellite Signal Unit
(GPSSU) having Part Number (P/N) 465205-0302-0303 installed in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1119 (Airbus
Modification 23885).
Model A330 series airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 46961 (Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3082, Revision
01, dated September 28, 1999), or Airbus Modification 47327 (Airbus
Service Bulletin A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September 28,
1999) has not been accomplished; equipped with a LITTON GPSSU having
P/N 465205-0302-0302 or 465205-0302-0303.
Model A340 series airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 46961 (Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4089, Revision
01, dated September 28, 1999), or Airbus Modification 47327 (Airbus
Service Bulletin A340-34-4092, Revision 01, dated September 28,
1999) has not been accomplished; equipped with a LITTON GPSSU having
P/N 465205-0302-0302 or 465205-0302-0303.
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 (d) 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 position and altitude errors due to bad oscillator
warm-up characteristics of the GPSSU, which could result in
navigational errors that may exceed 0.5 nautical mile, accomplish
the following:
AFM Revision
(a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to include the following procedures. This may be accomplished
by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
``Operation:
--GPS Stand-alone and GPS overlay non-precision approaches are
not allowed.
--The GPS must be deselected before non-precision approach.
--The GPS must be deselected for the remainder of the flight if
`NAV FM/GPS POS DISAGREE' ECAM warning is triggered (in all phases
of flight)
Dispatch:
--If one GPS is inoperative, GPS must be deselected.''
Note 2: The AFM revision may be accomplished by inserting a copy
of Airbus Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/40 (for Model A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes); TR 2.05.00/38 (for Model A330 series
airplanes); or TR2.05.00/47 (for A340 series airplanes); into the
applicable AFM.
Modification
(b) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the GPSSU of the satellite navigational system, in accordance with
(b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of this AD, as applicable. After
accomplishment of the modification, the AFM revision required by
paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
(1) For Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes: Modify the
GPSSU in accordance with either Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-
1191, dated July 12, 1999, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1196,
dated July 15, 1999.
(i) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1191, prior to or concurrent
with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish either Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-34-1119, Revision 02, dated April 30, 1997, or
A320-34-1196, dated July 15, 1999.
(ii) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1196, prior to or concurrent
with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-34-1119, Revision 02, dated April 30, 1997.
(2) For Model A330 series airplanes: Modify the GPSSU in
accordance with either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3082,
Revision 01, dated September 28, 1999, or Airbus Service Bulletin
A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September 28, 1999.
(i) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3082, Revision 01, prior to or
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish
either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3015, dated April 3, 1995, or
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September
28, 1999.
(ii) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3086, Revision 01, prior to or
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3015, dated April 3, 1995.
(3) For Model A340 series airplanes: Modify the GPSSU in
accordance with either Airbus Service Bulletin A30-34-4089, Revision
01, dated September 28, 1999, or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-
4092, Revision 01, dated September 28, 1999.
(i) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4089, Revision 01, prior to or
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish
either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4022, dated April 3, 1995, or
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4092, Revision 01, dated September
28, 1999.
(ii) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4092, Revision 01, prior to or
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish
either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4022, dated April 3, 1995, or
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4078, Revision 01, dated November
26, 1999, including Appendix 01, dated November 26, 1999.
Note 3: The Airbus service bulletins reference LITTON Service
Bulletin 2001-34-13, dated July 8, 1999, and LITTON Service Bulletin
2001-34-14, dated July 5, 1999, as additional sources of service
information for modifying the GPSSU.
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a GPSSU having P/N 465205-0302-0302 or 465205-0302-
0303.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) 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 and
Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 1999-361-138(B), dated September 8, 1999;
1999-354-101(B), dated September 8, 1999; and 1999-355-123(B), dated
September 8, 1999; in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in France.
[[Page 1353]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-503 Filed 1-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
