[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12123]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-55-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Model A300-600 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of certain Feel and 
Limitation Computers (FLC) with modified FLC's. This proposal is 
prompted by reports that the elevator control on several in-service 
airplanes operated with stiffness. The actions specified by the 
proposed 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.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-55-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 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: 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:

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 94-NM-55-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-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-55-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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); 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 35-900-27-012, dated September 29, 1993 
(for FLC's having part number 35-900-2000- 201); or Aerospatiale 
Service Buletin 35-900-27-016, Revision 1, dated December 15, 1993 (for 
FLC's having part number 35-900-3002-302). 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 
Section 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, the proposed AD would require replacement of 
certain FLC's with modified FLC's. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the Airbus service bulletin described 
previously. This proposal is applicable only to those airplanes with 
modified FLC's that have serial numbers prior to 755.

    Note: On April 26, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-09-16, Amendment 
39-8905 (59 FR 23133, May 5, 1994), which addresses this same unsafe 
condition, but applies to airplanes with FLC's that have serial 
numbers 755 and subsequent.

    The FAA estimates that 35 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$3,850, or $110 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 94-NM-55-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 1 year 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 prior to 755; and FLC's 
having P/N 35-900-3002-302, all serial numbers; with an FLC that has 
been previously modified; in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 1993.
    (b) As of a date 1 year after the effective date of this AD, no 
person shall install, on any airplane, an FLC having P/N 35-900-
2000-200, 35-900-2000-201, or 35-900-3002-302, 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 
Secs. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 12, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12123 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U