[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19699]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 22, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-105-AD; Amendment 39-9000; AD 94-17-05]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-211 and -311 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Airbus Model A340-211 and -311 series
airplanes. This action requires replacement of certain circuit breakers
for the toilet system vacuum generator. This amendment is prompted by
reports of excessive vacuum generator overloads or blocked rotor
conditions, in which the thermal protection device and/or related
aircraft circuit breakers do not interrupt the power supply. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent a fire in the
event of excessive current in the electrical circuit due to overheating
of the vacuum generator.
DATES: Effective on September 6, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 6, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before October 21, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-105-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: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus
Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes. The DGAC has advised that it
has received reports of electrical overloads in the toilet system
vacuum generator or blocked rotors, in which the temperature of the
vacuum generator motor increases faster than the detection capability
of the thermal protection device and/or the related aircraft circuit
breaker. In each case, these devices failed to interrupt the power
supply. This condition, if not corrected, could cause the vacuum
generator to overheat, which could result in a fire.
Airbus has issued All Operator Telex (AOT) 38-01, dated December
15, 1993, and Service Bulletin A340-38-4013, dated January 5, 1994,
which describe procedures for replacement of two circuit breakers for
the vacuum generator. Existing circuit breakers, 6 MG and 106 MG, are
replaced with faster (20 amp) circuit breakers to provide additional
protection in the event of excessive current in the electrical circuit
or overheat in the vacuum generator. The DGAC classified the AOT and
service bulletin as mandatory and issued French Airworthiness
Directive, 94-006-004(B)R1, dated February 2, 1994, in order to assure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
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 21.29) 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.
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 a fire in the
vacuum generator. This AD requires replacement of two circuit breakers
for the vacuum generator with faster type circuit breakers which will
improve detection capability of the thermal protection device. The
actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the AOT or
service bulletin described previously.
There currently are no Model A340-211 or -311 series airplanes 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 7 work hours to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $55 per
work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD
would be $385 per airplane.
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, 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 94-NM-105-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended] -
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-17-05 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9000. Docket 94-NM-105-AD. -
Applicability: Model A340-211 and 311 series airplanes, as
listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-38-4013, dated January 5,
1994; certificated in any category. -
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a fire due to overheating of the toilet vacuum
generator, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, replace
circuit breakers 6 MG and 106 MG, part number NSA 931302-25, in
panel 5005VE with faster circuit breakers (20 amp), part number NSA
931322-200, in accordance with either Airbus All Operator Telex
(AOT) 38-01, dated December 15, 1993, or Airbus Service Bulletin
A340-38-4013, dated January 5, 1994.
(b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) 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.
(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with either
Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 38-01, dated December 15, 1993, or
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-38-4013, dated January 5, 1994. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on September 6, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 8, 1994.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19699 Filed 8-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
