[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23325]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 22, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-121-AD; Amendment 39-9030; AD 94-20-02]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 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 all Airbus Model A320 series airplanes. This action
requires revising the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane
Flight Manual (AFM) to instruct the flight crew to maintain a flap
setting of configuration full (CONF FULL) during landing. This
amendment is prompted by a report of severe control difficulties which
occurred on approach with the flaps locked in CONF FULL and the landing
gear down. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
severely reduced controllability of the airplane during approach.
DATES: Effective October 7, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 7, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before November 21, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-121-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The Airplane Flight Manual 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: Recently, the FAA received a report that a
Model A320 series airplane experienced severe control difficulties on
approach with the flaps locked in configuration full (CONF FULL) and
the landing gear down. In this incident, the Electronic Centralized
Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) system directed the flight crew to select
configuration (CONF) 3 for landing. When the flight crew placed the
slats/flaps lever in CONF 3, the slats retracted from 27 degrees to 22
degrees, but the flaps remained locked in the full position (40
degrees). Consequently, the flight crew engaged the autopilot, which
resulted in the lateral control laws responding to the corresponding
CONF 3. In turbulent conditions, this configuration may lead to serious
lateral oscillation with the autopilot engaged or to an increase of the
lateral sensitivity in manual control. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in severely reduced controllability of the
airplane during approach.
Airbus has issued A320/A321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision
9.99.99/20, dated June 14, 1994, which provides the flight crew with
modified procedures for flaps fault/locked condition. These modified
procedures instruct the flight crew to maintain CONF FULL during
landing approaches.
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 Direction Generale de l'Aviation
Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has
kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has
examined the findings, 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 severely
reduced controllability of the airplane during approach. The FAA has
determined that this unsafe condition may be temporarily addressed by
revising the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to
advise the flight crew to maintain CONF FULL during landing approaches.
This AFM revision is to be accomplished in accordance with the
information specified in the Airbus document described previously.
This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will
positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may
consider further rulemaking.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an 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-121-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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, 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:
94-20-02 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9030. Docket 94-NM-121-AD.
Applicability: All Model A320 series airplanes, certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent severely reduced controllability of the airplane
during approach under certain conditions, accomplish the following:
(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 information specified in Airbus A320/A321
Flight Manual Temporary Revision 9.99.99/20, dated June 14, 1994.
Note 1: This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of Airbus
A320/A321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 9.99.99/20, dated June
14, 1994, in the AFM. When this temporary revision has been
incorporated in the general revisions of the AFM, the general
revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the information
contained in the general revisions is identical to that specified in
Temporary Revision 9.99.99/20.
(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 Operations Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: 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 revision to the AFM shall be done in accordance with
Airbus A320/A321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 9.99.99/20, dated
June 14, 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 October 7, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 15, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-23325 Filed 9-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
