[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10509]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-54-AD; Amendment 39-8905; AD 94-09-16]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 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 Model A300-600 series airplanes. This action 
requires replacement of certain Feel and Limitation Computers (FLC) 
with modified FLC's. This amendment is prompted by reports that the 
elevator control on several in-service airplanes operated with 
stiffness. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
stiff operation of the elevator control and undetected loss of the 
rudder travel limitation function, which may adversely affect 
controllability of the airplane.

Effective DATES: May 20, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 20, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-54-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 General 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 A300-600 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that operators of 
Model A300-600 series airplanes reported that the elevator control on 
several in-service airplanes operated with stiffness. Investigation 
into the cause of this stiffness revealed that the Feel and Limitation 
Computer (FLC) may be detecting spurious low voltage. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in stiff operation of the elevator 
control and undetected loss of the rudder travel limitation function, 
which may adversely affect controllability of the airplane.
    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 
15, 1993, that describes procedures for replacement of certain FLC's 
with modified FLC's. These replacement FLC's have been modified in 
accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 35-900-27-013, dated 
September 29, 1993 (for FLC's having part number 35-900-2000-200), or 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 35-900-27-012, dated September 29, 1993 
(for FLC's having part number 35-900-2000-201). The Aerospatiale 
service bulletins describe procedures for adjustment of the 
``UNDERVOLTAGE DETECTION'' signal with new values to preclude stiff 
operation of the elevator control. The DGAC classified the Airbus 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued French Airworthiness Directive 
94-046-156(B), dated February 16, 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 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 stiff 
operation of the elevator control and undetected loss of rudder travel 
limitation function, which may adversely affect controllability of the 
airplane. This AD requires replacement of certain FLC's with modified 
FLC's. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with 
the Airbus service bulletin described previously.
    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 notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-54-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 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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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:

94-09-16 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8905. Docket 94-NM-54-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300-600 series airplanes, as listed in 
Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 
1993; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent stiff operation of the elevator control and 
undetected loss of the rudder travel limitation function, which may 
adversely affect controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
Feel and Limitation Computers (FLC), having part number (P/N) 35-
900-2000-200 or 35-900-2000-201, serial numbers 755 and subsequent, 
with an FLC that has been previously modified, in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 1993. -
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall 
install, on any airplane, an FLC, P/N 35-900-2000-200 or 35-900-
2000-201, that has not been previously modified in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 1993.
    (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, 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.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 1993. 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 20, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 26, 1994.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10509 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U