[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1909-1911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-312]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-314-AD; Amendment 39-10277; AD 98-01-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. This
action requires repetitive operational tests of the override mechanism
of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) to determine if the system
functions correctly; and corrective action, if necessary. This
amendment is prompted by the issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent uncommanded
movement of the THS, which could result in reduced controllability of
the airplane.
DATES: Effective January 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 28, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 12, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-314-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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
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: 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 A330 and A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that results of
simulator testing have indicated that uncommanded movement of the
trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) can occur, if the manual override
switch fails in the open position and the THS control wheel is blocked
by either the pilot or a mechanical control jam. Such uncommanded
movement of the THS, if not corrected, could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-27-3051 (for Model A330
series
[[Page 1910]]
airplanes) and A340-27-4058 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both
dated February 13, 1997. These service bulletins describe procedures
for repetitive operational tests of the override mechanism of the THS
to determine if the system functions correctly. The service bulletins
also describe procedures for repair, if necessary. The DGAC classified
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness
directives 97-064-044(B)R2 and 97-065-055(B)R2, both dated November 5,
1997, 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
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) 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 the 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, this AD requires accomplishment of the actions
specified in the service bulletins described previously, except as
described below.
Differences Between this AD and the Service Information
Operators should note that, unlike the procedures described in the
referenced service bulletins and French airworthiness directives, this
AD does not address compliance times for affected airplanes used in
training because the anticipated use of these airplanes in the United
States does not include training.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
None of the airplanes affected by this action is 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 1 work hour to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be
$60 per airplane.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
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, prior 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 97-NM-314-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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:
98-01-15 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10277. Docket 97-NM-314-AD.
Applicability: Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 series
airplanes on which Airbus Modification 45631 has not been installed;
and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series
airplanes
[[Page 1911]]
on which Airbus Modification 45485 has not been installed;
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 (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 movement of the trimmable horizontal
stabilizer (THS), which could result in reduced controllability of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
perform an operational test of the THS override mechanism to
determine if the override system functions correctly, in accordance
with paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable. Repeat
the operational test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500
flight hours.
(1) For Model A330 series airplanes: Perform the operational
test in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3051, dated
February 13, 1997; and, prior to further flight, repair any
discrepancy in accordance with this service bulletin.
(2) For Model A340 series airplanes: Perform the operational
test in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4058, dated
February 13, 1997; and, prior to further flight, repair any
discrepancy in accordance with this service bulletin.
(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, 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.
(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 actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3051, dated February 13, 1997
(for Model A330 series airplanes); or A340-27-4058, dated February
13, 1997 (for Model A340 series airplanes); as applicable. 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 directives 97-064-044(B)R2 and 97-065-055(B)R2, both
dated November 5, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 28, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 31, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-312 Filed 1-12-98; 8:45 am]
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