[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50503-50505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25151]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-246-AD; Amendment 39-10750; AD 98-19-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A321 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Airbus Model A321 series airplanes. This 
action requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit 
automatic landings and Category III operations on runways with a 
magnetic orientation of 170 degrees through 190 degrees inclusive. This 
amendment also provides for optional terminating action for the AFM 
revision. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the 
use of erroneous automatic roll-out guidance generated by the flight 
management and guidance computer, which could result in the airplane 
departing the runway upon landing.

DATES: Effective October 7, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 7, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-246-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 A321 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the flight 
management and guidance computer (FMGC) can generate erroneous roll-out 
guidance due to software calculation errors. The software calculation 
errors may affect the roll-out guidance generated by the FMGC when an 
automatic landing is performed on runways with a magnetic orientation 
of 170 degrees through 190 degrees inclusive. Use of erroneous 
automatic roll-out guidance, if not corrected, could result in the 
airplane departing the runway upon landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A319/320/321 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
Temporary Revision (TR) 9.99.99/44, Issue 2, dated March 3, 1998, which 
prohibits automatic landings and Category III operations on runways 
with a magnetic orientation of 170 degrees through 190 degrees 
inclusive.
    Airbus also has issued Service Bulletins A320-22-1054, Revision 01, 
dated December 3, 1997 (for airplanes equipped with CFM engines); and 
A320-22-1062, dated October 6, 1997 (for airplanes equipped with IAE 
engines); which describe procedures for modifying the flight management 
and guidance computer software. Accomplishment of the software 
modifications eliminates the need for the AFM revision. Accomplishment 
of the actions specified in the AFM revision or service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
    The DGAC classified Airbus A319/320/321 AFM TR 9.99.99/44, Issue 2, 
dated March 3, 1998, as mandatory and issued French airworthiness 
directive 98-226-119(B), dated June 17, 1998, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is 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 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 is being issued to prevent the use of 
erroneous automatic roll-out guidance generated by the flight 
management and guidance computer, which could result in the airplane 
departing the runway upon landing. This AD requires revising the 
Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM to prohibit automatic 
landings and Category III operations on runways with a magnetic 
orientation of 170 degrees through 190 degrees inclusive. This AD also 
provides for optional terminating action for the AFM revision.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

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.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are 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

[[Page 50504]]

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.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an 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 98-NM-246-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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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:

98-19-08  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10750. Docket 98-NM-246-AD.

    Applicability: Model A321 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified below:
     Model A321 series airplanes equipped with CFM engines, 
on which Airbus Modification 25199 (reference Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-22-1045) has been installed, except for those on which 
Airbus Modification 25469 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
22-1054, dated May 28, 1996, or Revision 1, dated December 3, 1997) 
has been installed.

      or

     Model A321 series airplanes equipped with IAE engines, 
on which Airbus Modification 25200 (reference Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-22-1046) has been installed, except for those on which 
Airbus Modification 26243 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
22-1062, dated October 6, 1997) has been installed.

    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 the use of erroneous automatic roll-out guidance 
generated by the flight management and guidance computer, which 
could result in the airplane departing the runway upon landing, 
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) to prohibit automatic landings and Category III operations on 
runways with a magnetic orientation of 170 degrees through 190 
degrees inclusive. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of 
Airbus A319/320/321 Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision 
9.99.99/44, Issue 2, dated March 3, 1998, 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 in the AFM, provided the 
information contained in the general revision is identical to that 
specified in the applicable temporary revision cited in paragraph 
(a) of this AD.

    (b) Accomplishment of the software modification specified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1054, Revision 1, dated December 3, 
1997 (for airplanes equipped with CFM engines), or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-22-1062, dated October 6, 1997 (for airplanes equipped 
with IAE engines), as applicable, constitutes terminating action for 
the AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD. After the 
software modification has been accomplished, the AFM limitation 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD 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 Operations Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.


[[Page 50505]]


    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 AFM revision shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
A319/320/321 Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision 9.99.99/44, 
Issue 2, dated March 3, 1998. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-226-119(B), dated June 17, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 7, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 2, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25151 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U