[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15431-15433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8126]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-194-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A310 and 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 Airbus Industrie Model 
A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
modifying the rudder trim switch and control knob. This proposal is 
prompted by reports of in-flight uncommanded rudder trim activation due 
to inadvertent activation of the rudder trim control switch, failure of 
the switch, or incorrect installation of the switch. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such uncommanded 
rudder trim activation, which could result in uncommanded yaw/roll 
excursions and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-194-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1503; fax (206) 227-1149.

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

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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 96-NM-194-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. 96-NM-194-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Industrie Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises it received reports indicating that 
uncommanded rudder trim activation occurred during flight on these 
airplanes. These events were attributed to the following causes:
     Unintentional activation of the rudder trim when 
documentation was inadvertently placed against the control knob;
     Failure of the rudder trim control switch on panel 408VU; 
or
    Incorrect installation of the rudder trim control switch.
    Uncommanded activation of the rudder trim, if not corrected, could 
lead to uncommanded yaw/roll excursions and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus Industrie has issued the following service bulletins that 
describe procedures to modify the rudder trim switch and control knob:
     Service Bulletin A300-27-6022, Revision 2, dated August 
28, 1995 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes).
     Service Bulletin A300-27-6027, Revision 2, dated August 
22, 1995; and Revision 3, dated March 13, 1996 (for Model A300-600 
series airplanes).
     Service Bulletin A310-27-2058, Revision 2, dated August 
28, 1995 (for Model A310 series airplanes).
     Service Bulletin A310-27-2071, Revision 2, dated August 
22, 1995; and Revision 3, dated March 13, 1996 (for Model A310 series 
airplanes).
    The modification procedures include replacing the rudder trim 
switch, control knob, and associated wires with new components and 
wiring; reinstalling panel 408VU; and conducting tests to ensure proper 
operation of the assembly. The accomplishment of these modifications 
will preclude uncommanded rudder trim activation.
    The DGAC classified the previously described service bulletins as 
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive (C/N) 95-246-
193(B), dated December 6, 1995, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    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 modifying the 
rudder trim switch and control knob. The actions would be required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 85 Airbus Industrie Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed 
AD, that it would take approximately 7 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $789 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $102,765, or $1,209 per airplane.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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 
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 96-NM-194-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, on 
which Airbus Industrie Modifications 8566 and 10866 have not been 
incorporated; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability

[[Page 15433]]

provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, 
altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this 
AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so 
that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the 
owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of 
compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, 
alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; 
and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request 
should include specific proposed actions to address it.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncommanded activation of the rudder trim, which, if 
not corrected, could lead to uncommanded yaw/roll excursions and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the rudder trim switch, control knob, and associated wires with new 
components and wiring in accordance with the applicable Airbus 
Industrie service bulletin specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) 
of this AD.
    (1) For Model A300-600 series airplanes: Airbus Service 
Bulletins A300-27-6022, Revision 2, dated August 28, 1995; and A300-
27-6027, Revision 2, dated August 22, 1995, or Revision 3, dated 
March 13, 1996.
    (2) For Model A310 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletins 
A310-27-2058, Revision 2, dated August 28, 1995; and A310-27-2071, 
Revision 2, dated August 22, 1995, or Revision 3, dated March 13, 
1996.

    Note 2: Modifications accomplished prior to the effective date 
of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6027, 
Revision 2, dated August 22, 1995 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes), or A310-27-2071, Revision 2, dated August 22, 1995 (for 
Model A310 series airplanes), are considered acceptable for 
compliance with the applicable action specified in this AD.

    (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 3: 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8126 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U