[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40809-40810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20431]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-19-AD; Amendment 39-10684; AD 98-16-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series
airplanes, that currently requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to instruct the flightcrew to cross-check certain primary power
setting parameters of the Thrust Control Computer (TCC) against tables
of these values; and apply corrective action, if necessary. That AD
also provides for optional terminating action for the AFM revisions.
This amendment requires accomplishment of the previously optional
terminating action. 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
incorrect primary power setting parameters of the TCC, which could
result in insufficient thrust being applied during takeoff.
DATES: Effective September 4, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications as listed in
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal
Register as of January 22, 1998 (63 FR 658, January 7, 1998).
ADDRESSES: 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 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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-01-09,
amendment 39-10272 (63 FR 658, January 7, 1998), which is applicable to
certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes, was published
in the Federal Register on May 28, 1998 (63 FR 29146). The action
proposed to continue to require revising the Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to instruct the flightcrew to cross-check certain primary power
setting parameters of the Thrust Control Computer (TCC) against tables
of these values; and apply corrective action, if necessary. The action
also proposed to require accomplishment of the previously optional
terminating action.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 94 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be
affected by this AD.
The AFM revision that is currently required by AD 98-01-09, and
retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required AFM revision
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,640, or $60 per airplane.
[[Page 40810]]
The modification that is required by this new AD will take
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$4,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new
requirements of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $421,120, or $4,480 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 removing amendment 39-10272 (63 FR
658, January 7, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-10684, to read as follows:
98-16-08 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10684. Docket 98-NM-19-AD.
Supersedes AD 98-01-09, Amendment 39-10272.
Applicability: Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes equipped
with General Electric CF6-80C2 engines on which Airbus Modification
7174, 7588, or 8246 has not been accomplished; and Model A300-600
and A310 series airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW 4000
engines on which Airbus Modification 7694 has not been accomplished;
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 (c) 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 incorrect primary power setting parameters of the
Thrust Control Computer (TCC), which could result in insufficient
thrust being applied during takeoff, accomplish the following:
Restatement of Requirements of AD 98-01-09:
(a) Within 15 days after January 22, 1998 (the effective date of
AD 98-01-09, amendment 39-10272), revise the Limitations Section of
the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of
A300-600 or A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.03.00/18,
4.03.00/19, 4.03.00/20, or 4.03.00/21, all dated November 4, 1996;
as applicable; into the AFM.
Note 2: When the temporary revision specified in paragraph (a)
of this AD has been incorporated into the general revisions of the
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, provided
the information contained in the general revision is identical to
that specified in the applicable temporary revision cited in
paragraph (a).
New Requirements of this AD:
(b) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the TCC in accordance with the applicable Airbus service bulletins
specified below. (The applicability of the service bulletins is
specified in the effectivity section of each service bulletin.)
A310-22-2025, dated April 18, 1989;
A310-22-2027, dated June 8, 1990;
A310-22-2031, dated September 2, 1991;
A310-22-2035, Revision 1, dated July 13, 1994;
A300-22-6010, dated April 18, 1989;
A300-22-6011, dated June 8, 1990; or
A300-22-6017, dated September 2, 1991.
Accomplishment of the modification of the TCC constitutes
terminating action for the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
After the modification has been accomplished, the temporary revision
may be removed from the AFM.
(c) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) 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.
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus A300-600
Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.03.00/18, dated November 4, 1996;
Airbus Model A300-600 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.03.00/19,
dated November 4, 1996; Airbus A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revision
4.03.00/20, dated November 4, 1996; or Airbus A310 Flight Manual
Temporary Revision 4.03.00/21, dated November 4, 1996; as
applicable. The modification, if accomplished, shall be done in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2025, dated April
18, 1989; Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2027, dated June 8, 1990;
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2031, dated September 2, 1991;
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2035, Revision 1, dated July 13,
1994; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6010, dated April 18, 1989;
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6011, dated June 8, 1990; or Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-22-6017, dated September 2, 1991; as
applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved previously
by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 22, 1998 (63
FR 658, January 7, 1998).
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-110-218(B), dated May 7, 1997.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 4, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20431 Filed 7-30-98; 8:45 am]
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