[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65601-65603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32430]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-183-AD; Amendment 39-10242; AD 97-25-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 and A321 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 and A321 series airplanes, that 
requires 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 amendment also requires replacement of certain 
radio altimeter antennas with improved antennas, at which time the AFM 
revision will no longer be required. This amendment is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this 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: Effective January 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained

[[Page 65602]]

from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
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: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 and A321 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 1, 
1997 (62 FR 51383). That action proposed to 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. That 
action also proposed to require replacement of certain radio altimeter 
antennas with improved antennas, at which time the AFM revision would 
no longer be required.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposed rule.

Service Information Date

    One commenter, Airbus, points out that Airbus A319/320/321 Flight 
Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/13 was approved by the Direction 
Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness 
authority for France, on October 18, 1996. (Paragraph (a) of the 
proposal indicates that the TR is undated.) The FAA has revised 
paragraph (a) of this final rule to specify the date provided by 
Airbus.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required AFM revision, and 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the antenna replacement, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the 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 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 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

97-25-17  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10242. 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, dated October 18, 1996, 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

[[Page 65603]]

provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by 
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International Branch, ANM-
116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus A319/
320/321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/13, dated 
October 18, 1996; and Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-03, dated 
February 20, 1996. 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.

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

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 20, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 1997.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32430 Filed 12-12-97; 8:45 am]
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