[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 4 (Thursday, January 6, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 697-699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-49]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-336-AD; Amendment 39-11495; AD 99-27-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -
311, -312, and -313 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312,
and -313 series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive
operational tests to ensure proper operation of the actuator of the
secondary locks of the thrust reversers, and corrective actions, if
necessary. The previously optional modifications that would have
allowed an extension of the repetitive test intervals have been removed
from this amendment. This amendment is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified in this AD are intended
to prevent the inadvertent opening of a thrust reverser door in the
event of failure of the primary and secondary locks of the thrust
reverser. Such inadvertent opening could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective January 21, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 21, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain other publications, as
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of
the Federal Register as of January 25, 1999 (64 FR 1108, January 8,
1999).
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 7, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-336-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
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: On December 28, 1998, the FAA issued AD 99-
01-15, amendment 39-10980 (64 FR 1108, January 8, 1999), applicable to
all Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series
airplanes, to require repetitive operational tests (inspections) to
ensure proper operation of the actuator of the secondary locks of the
thrust reversers; and corrective actions, if necessary. That action was
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions required by
that AD are intended to prevent the inadvertent opening of a thrust
reverser door in the event of failure of the primary and secondary
locks of the thrust reverser. Such inadvertent opening could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
The existing AD provides for accomplishment of certain optional
modifications (Airbus Modifications 45150 and 45486), which, if
accomplished, would have allowed an extension of the repetitive test
intervals.
[[Page 698]]
However, service experience has shown that these modifications have not
proven to be successful in reducing the rate of ``REV. UNLOCKED''
warnings to the flight crew, and new failure modes have been reported.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A340-78-4012, Revision 05, dated
July 6, 1999. The provision for extension of the test interval if
certain modifications are accomplished has been removed from Revision
05.
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, issued airworthiness directive
1999-265-117(B), dated June 30, 1999, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) 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 the 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, this AD is being issued to prevent the
inadvertent opening of a thrust reverser door in the event of failure
of the primary and secondary locks of the thrust reverser, which could
result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This AD requires
accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin
described previously.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.
Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry;
therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However,
the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes
are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 8 work hours to
accomplish the currently required operational test, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
this AD would be $480 per airplane, per test cycle.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
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 under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-336-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10980 (64 FR
1108, January 8, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD),
[[Page 699]]
amendment 39-11495, to read as follows:
99-27-14 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11495. Docket 99-NM-336-AD.
Supersedes AD 99-01-05, Amendment 39-10980.
Applicability: All Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -
313 series airplanes; 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 inadvertent opening of a thrust reverser door in
the event of failure of the primary and secondary locks of the
thrust reverser, which could result in reduced controllability of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
Operational Test
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 1,300 total flight hours, or
within 500 flight hours after January 25, 1999 (the effective date
of AD 99-01-15, amendment 39-10980), whichever occurs later, perform
an operational test (inspection) to ensure proper operation of the
actuator of the secondary locks of the thrust reversers, in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-78-4012, Revision 01,
dated December 19, 1996, or Revision 05, dated July 6, 1999.
Thereafter, repeat the operational test at intervals not to exceed
1,300 flight hours. After the effective date of this AD, only
Revision 05 of the service bulletin shall be used.
Note 2: The Airbus service bulletin references ROHR Service
Bulletin RA34078-47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996, as an
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the
operational test.
Corrective Action
(b) If any discrepancy is detected during any operational test
(inspection) required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further
flight, replace the actuator of the secondary lock with a new or
serviceable actuator, in accordance with ROHR Service Bulletin
RA34078-47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 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.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The operational tests and replacement shall be done in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-78-4012, Revision 01,
dated December 19, 1996; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-78-4012,
Revision 05, dated July 6, 1999; and ROHR Service Bulletin RA3478-
47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996, which contains the
following list of effective pages:
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Page No. Revision level shown on page Date shown on page
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1, 5, 6.................................. 1........................... November 30, 1996.
2-4, 7................................... Original.................... September 16, 1996.
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(1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin
A340-78-4012, Revision 05, dated July 6, 1999, 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 Service Bulletin
A340-78-4012, Revision 01, dated December 19, 1996; and ROHR Service
Bulletin RA34078-47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996; was
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of
January 25, 1999 (64 FR 1108, January 8, 1999).
(3) Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; and ROHR, Inc., 850
Lagoon Drive, Chula Vista, California 91912. Copies may be inspected
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Fegister, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 1999-265-117(B), dated June 30, 1999.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 21, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 28, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-49 Filed 1-5-00; 8:45 am]
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