[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29146-29148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14036]
[[Page 29146]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-19-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-
600 and A310 series airplanes, that currently requires revising the
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to instruct the flightcrew to cross-check
certain primary power setting parameters of the Thrust Control Computer
(TCC) against tables of these values; and apply corrective action, if
necessary. That AD also provides for optional terminating action for
the AFM revisions. This proposed rule would require accomplishment of
the previously optional terminating action. 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 incorrect primary power setting
parameters of the TCC, which could result in insufficient thrust being
applied during takeoff.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 29, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-19-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 98-NM-19-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. 98-NM-19-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On December 29, 1997, the FAA issued AD 98-01-09, amendment 39-
10272 (63 FR 658, January 7, 1998), applicable to certain Airbus Model
A300-600 and A310 series airplanes, to require revising the Limitations
Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to instruct
the flightcrew to cross-check certain primary power setting parameters
of the Thrust Control Computer (TCC) against tables of these values;
and apply corrective action, if necessary. That AD also provides for an
optional terminating action for the AFM revisions. That action was
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The requirements of that AD
are intended to ensure that the flightcrew is provided with procedures
for cross-checking and correcting certain primary power setting
parameters of the TCC; incorrect parameters could result in
insufficient thrust being applied during takeoff.
Actions Since Issuance of AD 98-01-09
In the preamble to AD 98-01-09, the FAA specified that the actions
required by that AD were considered interim action because French
airworthiness directive 97-110-218(B) dated May 7, 1997, required
modification of the TCC on A300-600 and A310 series airplanes, while AD
98-01-09 provided for optional modification of the TCC. The FAA also
indicated that it would consider further rulemaking action since the
planned compliance time for that action was sufficiently long so that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment were practicable. This
proposed AD will require accomplishment of the previously optional
modification.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the following service bulletins:
A310-22-2025, dated April 18, 1989;
A310-22-2027, dated June 8, 1990;
A310-22-2031, dated September 2, 1991;
A310-22-2035, Revision 1, dated July 13, 1994;
A300-22-6010, dated April 18, 1989;
A300-22-6011, dated June 8, 1990; and
A300-22-6017, dated September 2, 1991.
These service bulletins describe procedures for modification of the
TCC to prevent sensitivity to electrical power transients.
Accomplishment of the modification would eliminate the need for the AFM
limitation. The modification of the TCC varies depending on the
airplane model and engine configuration.
Accomplishment of the action specified in the service bulletins is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
Direction Genrale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, classified these service bulletins
as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 97-110-218(B),
dated May 7, 1997, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
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certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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 products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 98-01-09 to continue to require a
revision to the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM, that
instructs the flightcrew to cross-check certain primary power setting
parameters of the TCC. This proposed AD also would add a requirement to
modify the TCC, which would terminate the requirement for the AFM
revision.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 94 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The AFM revision that is currently required by AD 98-01-09 takes
approximately 1 work hour 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 AFM revision on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $5,640, or $60 per airplane.
The modification that is proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $4,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $421,120, or $4,480 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 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 removing amendment 39-10272 (63 FR
658, January 7, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 98-NM-19-AD. Supersedes AD 98-01-09,
Amendment 39-10272.
Applicability: Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes equipped
with General Electric CF6-80C2 engines on which Airbus Modification
7174, 7588, or 8246 has not been accomplished; and Model A300-600
and A310 series airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW 4000
engines on which Airbus Modification 7694 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 incorrect primary power setting parameters of the
Thrust Control Computer (TCC), which could result in insufficient
thrust being applied during takeoff, accomplish the following:
Restatement of Requirements of AD 98-01-09
(a) Within 15 days after January 22, 1998 (the effective date of
AD 98-01-09, amendment 39-10272), revise the Limitations Section of
the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of
A300-600 or A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.03.00/18,
4.03.00/19, 4.03.00/20, or 4.03.00/21, all dated November 4, 1996;
as applicable; into the AFM.
Note 2: When the temporary revision specified in paragraph (a)
of this AD has been incorporated into the general revisions of the
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the
information contained in the general revision is identical to that
specified in the applicable temporary revision cited in paragraph
(a).
New Requirements of this AD
(b) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the TCC in accordance with the applicable Airbus service bulletins
specified below. (The applicability of the service bulletins is
specified in the effectivity section of each service bulletin.)
A310-22-2025, dated April 18, 1989;
A310-22-2027, dated June 8, 1990;
A310-22-2031, dated September 2, 1991;
A310-22-2035, Revision 1, dated July 13, 1994;
A300-22-6010, dated April 18, 1989;
A300-22-6011, dated June 8, 1990; or
A300-22-6017, dated September 2, 1991.
Accomplishment of the modification of the TCC constitutes
terminating action for the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
After the modification has been accomplished, the temporary revision
may be removed from the AFM.
(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
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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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-110-218(B), dated May 7, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14036 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
