[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 190 (Wednesday, October 1, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51383-51384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25976]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 190 / Wednesday, October 1, 1997 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 51383]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-183-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 and A321 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 Model A320 and A321 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a revision to the 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include procedures for the flightcrew 
to follow in the event of radio altimeter height malfunction. This 
proposal also would require replacement of certain radio altimeter 
antennas with improved antennas, at which time the AFM revision would 
no longer be required. This proposal is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent output of erroneous radio altimeter height 
information to the flightcrew and autopilot, which could result in 
reduced ability of the flightcrew to cope with adverse operating 
conditions.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-183-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: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2589; fax (425) 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 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 97-NM-183-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. 97-NM-183-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 Model A320 and A321 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received a report indicating 
that erroneous radio altimeter height information was provided to the 
flightcrew and to the autopilot on an Airbus Model A320 series 
airplane. This resulted in a premature autopilot engagement of the 
FLARE mode during approach, and other aural and visual flight deck 
indications associated with the radio altimeter height malfunction. 
Subsequent investigation revealed that a manufacturing flaw in the 
solder connection of the radio altimeter antenna caused the erroneous 
indications. This condition, if not corrected, could result in output 
of erroneous radio altimeter height information to the flightcrew and 
autopilot, which could result in reduced ability of the flightcrew to 
cope with adverse operating conditions.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-03, dated February 
20, 1996, which describes procedures for replacement of a certain 
antenna of the radio altimeter with an improved antenna. This AOT 
states that the operational procedures described in Airbus Flight 
Operation Telex (FOT) 945.0968/96 must be applied as long as the 
affected antennas are installed. This FOT has been incorporated into 
Airbus A319/320/321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/13 
(not dated) which describes procedures for revising the Limitations 
Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide procedures for 
the flightcrew to follow in the event of radio altimeter malfunction.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in this service information 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified the AOT as mandatory and issued French airworthiness 
directive (CN) 96-172-084(B), dated August 28, 1996, in order to assure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

[[Page 51384]]

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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.

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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed AFM revision, and 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed antenna replacement, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $6,000, or $120 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: Docket 97-NM-183-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 and A321 series airplanes; equipped 
with Collins radio altimeter antennas having part number (P/N) 622-
8701-002 and a serial number below 2014; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability 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 (d) 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 output of erroneous radio altimeter height 
information to the flightcrew and autopilot, due to inadequate 
antenna solder connections, which could result in reduced ability of 
the flightcrew to cope with adverse operating 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) by incorporating Airbus A319/320/321 Flight Manual Temporary 
Revision (TR) 2.05.00/13 (not dated) into the AFM to provide 
procedures for the flightcrew to follow in the event of radio 
altimeter malfunction.
    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
any COLLINS radio altimeter antenna having P/N 622-8701-002, a 
serial number below 2014, and white paint on the inner side of the 
C-sink hole, with a new antenna having the same P/N that is fitted 
with metallic C-sink inserts in its attaching holes; in accordance 
with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-03, dated February 20, 
1996. Accomplishment of the actions specified in this paragraph 
constitutes terminating action for the AFM revision required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a Collins radio altimeter antenna having P/N 622-8701-002 and a 
serial number below 2014, unless the antenna is fitted with metallic 
C-sink inserts in its attaching holes.
    (d) 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 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.

    (e) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 96-172-084(B), dated August 28, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 25, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25976 Filed 9-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U