[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 4 (Thursday, January 6, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 697-699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-49]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-336-AD; Amendment 39-11495; AD 99-27-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -
311, -312, and -313 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, 
and -313 series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive 
operational tests to ensure proper operation of the actuator of the 
secondary locks of the thrust reversers, and corrective actions, if 
necessary. The previously optional modifications that would have 
allowed an extension of the repetitive test intervals have been removed 
from this amendment. 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 inadvertent opening of a thrust reverser door in the 
event of failure of the primary and secondary locks of the thrust 
reverser. Such inadvertent opening could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective January 21, 2000.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 21, 2000.

    The incorporation by reference of certain other publications, as 
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of January 25, 1999 (64 FR 1108, January 8, 
1999).

    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 7, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-336-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: On December 28, 1998, the FAA issued AD 99-
01-15, amendment 39-10980 (64 FR 1108, January 8, 1999), applicable to 
all Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series 
airplanes, to require repetitive operational tests (inspections) to 
ensure proper operation of the actuator of the secondary locks of the 
thrust reversers; and corrective actions, if necessary. That action was 
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions required by 
that AD are intended to prevent the inadvertent opening of a thrust 
reverser door in the event of failure of the primary and secondary 
locks of the thrust reverser. Such inadvertent opening could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    The existing AD provides for accomplishment of certain optional 
modifications (Airbus Modifications 45150 and 45486), which, if 
accomplished, would have allowed an extension of the repetitive test 
intervals.

[[Page 698]]

However, service experience has shown that these modifications have not 
proven to be successful in reducing the rate of ``REV. UNLOCKED'' 
warnings to the flight crew, and new failure modes have been reported.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A340-78-4012, Revision 05, dated 
July 6, 1999. The provision for extension of the test interval if 
certain modifications are accomplished has been removed from Revision 
05.

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, issued airworthiness directive 
1999-265-117(B), dated June 30, 1999, to ensure 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 21.19) 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 is being issued to prevent the 
inadvertent opening of a thrust reverser door in the event of failure 
of the primary and secondary locks of the thrust reverser, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This AD requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 
described previously.

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 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 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 8 work hours to 
accomplish the currently required operational test, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this AD would be $480 per airplane, per test cycle.

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 99-NM-336-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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

    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 39-10980 (64 FR 
1108, January 8, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD),

[[Page 699]]

amendment 39-11495, to read as follows:

99-27-14 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11495. Docket 99-NM-336-AD. 
Supersedes AD 99-01-05, Amendment 39-10980.

    Applicability: All Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -
313 series airplanes; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 inadvertent opening of a thrust reverser door in 
the event of failure of the primary and secondary locks of the 
thrust reverser, which could result in reduced controllability of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:

Operational Test

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 1,300 total flight hours, or 
within 500 flight hours after January 25, 1999 (the effective date 
of AD 99-01-15, amendment 39-10980), whichever occurs later, perform 
an operational test (inspection) to ensure proper operation of the 
actuator of the secondary locks of the thrust reversers, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-78-4012, Revision 01, 
dated December 19, 1996, or Revision 05, dated July 6, 1999. 
Thereafter, repeat the operational test at intervals not to exceed 
1,300 flight hours. After the effective date of this AD, only 
Revision 05 of the service bulletin shall be used.

    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletin references ROHR Service 
Bulletin RA34078-47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996, as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
operational test.

Corrective Action

    (b) If any discrepancy is detected during any operational test 
(inspection) required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further 
flight, replace the actuator of the secondary lock with a new or 
serviceable actuator, in accordance with ROHR Service Bulletin 
RA34078-47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The operational tests and replacement shall be done in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-78-4012, Revision 01, 
dated December 19, 1996; Airbus Service Bulletin A340-78-4012, 
Revision 05, dated July 6, 1999; and ROHR Service Bulletin RA3478-
47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996, which contains the 
following list of effective pages:

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                 Page No.                  Revision level shown on page             Date shown on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 5, 6..................................  1...........................  November 30, 1996.
2-4, 7...................................  Original....................  September 16, 1996.
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    (1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A340-78-4012, Revision 05, dated July 6, 1999, is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A340-78-4012, Revision 01, dated December 19, 1996; and ROHR Service 
Bulletin RA34078-47, Revision 1, dated November 30, 1996; was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
January 25, 1999 (64 FR 1108, January 8, 1999).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point 
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; and ROHR, Inc., 850 
Lagoon Drive, Chula Vista, California 91912. Copies may be inspected 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Fegister, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-265-117(B), dated June 30, 1999.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 21, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 28, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-49 Filed 1-5-00; 8:45 am]
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