[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