[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]
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