[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1350-1353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-503]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-349-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330, 
and A340 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319, A320, 
A321, A330, and A340 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
revising the Airplane Flight Manual to provide the flight crew with 
certain instructions associated with the Global Positioning System 
(GPS). This proposal also would require modification of the Global 
Positioning System Signal Unit (GPSSU) of the satellite navigational 
system. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
position and altitude errors due to bad oscillator warm-up 
characteristics of the GPSSU, which could result in navigational errors 
that may exceed 0.5 nautical mile.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 9, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-349-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-349-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-349-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

[[Page 1351]]

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and 
A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the navigational satellite 
signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS) (located in the cockpit) 
may be incorrectly measured by the Global Positioning System Signal 
Unit (GPSSU) (located in the fuselage) due to bad oscillator warm-up 
characteristics of the GPSSU. In the event that only one GPS in the 
cockpit is operative, the erroneous GPS position computation may not be 
detected. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
navigational errors that may exceed 0.5 nautical mile.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Airbus Service Bulletins A320-34-1191, 
dated July 12, 1999, and A320-34-1196, dated July 15, 1999 (for Model 
A319, A320 and A321 series airplanes); A330-34-3082, Revision 01, dated 
September 28, 1999, and A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September 28, 
1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes); and A340-34-4089, Revision 01, 
dated September 28, 1999, and A340-34-4092, Revision 01, dated 
September 28, 1999 (for Model A340 series airplanes). These service 
bulletins describe procedures for modification of the GPSSU of the 
satellite navigational system. The modification involves modifying the 
hardware and software in order to minimize synchronization conditions, 
accommodate an automatic reset and the GPS week number rollover, and 
provide failure recording capabilities in the non-volatile memory.
    In addition, these service bulletins identify related service 
bulletins that must be accomplished prior to or concurrent with the 
applicable service bulletin. These additional service bulletins are as 
follows:
     A320-34-1119
     A330-34-3015
     A340-34-4022
     A340-34-4078
    The Airbus service bulletins described previously also reference 
LITTON Service Bulletin 2001-34-13, dated July 8, 1999, and 2001-34-14, 
dated July 5, 1999, as additional sources of service information for 
modification of the GPSSU the satellite navigational system.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Airbus service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified these Airbus service bulletins as 
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 1999-361-138(B), 
dated September 8, 1999 (for Models A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes); 1999-354-101(B), dated September 8, 1999 (for Model A330 
series airplanes); and 1999-355-123(B), dated September 8, 1999 (for 
Model A340 series airplanes); in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    The French airworthiness directives also require revising the 
applicable Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flight crew with 
certain instructions regarding deselecting the GPS navigational system.

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 21.29) 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 Proposed 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, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the Airbus service bulletins described 
previously. The proposed AD also requires revising the FAA-approved AFM 
to provide the flight crew with certain instructions associated with 
the GPS.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revision, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AFM revision proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $60, or $60 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60, or $60 
per airplane.
    It would take between 3 to 14 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed additional modifications required to be accomplished prior 
to or concurrent with the proposed modification, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work. Required parts would be provided by the vendor or 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the additional modifications proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be between $180 to $840 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation

[[Page 1352]]

Administration proposes to amend 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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-349-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319, A320, A321, A330, and A340 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as follows:
     Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes on which 
Airbus Modification 28578 (Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1191, 
dated July 12, 1999), or Airbus Modification 28579 (Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-34-1196, dated July 15) has not been accomplished; 
equipped with a LITTON Global Positioning Satellite Signal Unit 
(GPSSU) having Part Number (P/N) 465205-0302-0303 installed in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1119 (Airbus 
Modification 23885).
     Model A330 series airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 46961 (Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3082, Revision 
01, dated September 28, 1999), or Airbus Modification 47327 (Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September 28, 
1999) has not been accomplished; equipped with a LITTON GPSSU having 
P/N 465205-0302-0302 or 465205-0302-0303.
     Model A340 series airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 46961 (Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4089, Revision 
01, dated September 28, 1999), or Airbus Modification 47327 (Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-34-4092, Revision 01, dated September 28, 
1999) has not been accomplished; equipped with a LITTON GPSSU having 
P/N 465205-0302-0302 or 465205-0302-0303.

    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 position and altitude errors due to bad oscillator 
warm-up characteristics of the GPSSU, which could result in 
navigational errors that may exceed 0.5 nautical mile, accomplish 
the following:

AFM Revision

    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include the following procedures. This may be accomplished 
by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

``Operation:
    --GPS Stand-alone and GPS overlay non-precision approaches are 
not allowed.
    --The GPS must be deselected before non-precision approach.
    --The GPS must be deselected for the remainder of the flight if 
`NAV FM/GPS POS DISAGREE' ECAM warning is triggered (in all phases 
of flight)

Dispatch:
    --If one GPS is inoperative, GPS must be deselected.''

    Note 2: The AFM revision may be accomplished by inserting a copy 
of Airbus Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/40 (for Model A319, A320, 
and A321 series airplanes); TR 2.05.00/38 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes); or TR2.05.00/47 (for A340 series airplanes); into the 
applicable AFM.

Modification

    (b) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the GPSSU of the satellite navigational system, in accordance with 
(b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of this AD, as applicable. After 
accomplishment of the modification, the AFM revision required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
    (1) For Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes: Modify the 
GPSSU in accordance with either Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-
1191, dated July 12, 1999, or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1196, 
dated July 15, 1999.
    (i) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1191, prior to or concurrent 
with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish either Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-34-1119, Revision 02, dated April 30, 1997, or 
A320-34-1196, dated July 15, 1999.
    (ii) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-34-1196, prior to or concurrent 
with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-34-1119, Revision 02, dated April 30, 1997.
    (2) For Model A330 series airplanes: Modify the GPSSU in 
accordance with either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3082, 
Revision 01, dated September 28, 1999, or Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September 28, 1999.
    (i) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3082, Revision 01, prior to or 
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish 
either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3015, dated April 3, 1995, or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3086, Revision 01, dated September 
28, 1999.
    (ii) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3086, Revision 01, prior to or 
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3015, dated April 3, 1995.
    (3) For Model A340 series airplanes: Modify the GPSSU in 
accordance with either Airbus Service Bulletin A30-34-4089, Revision 
01, dated September 28, 1999, or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-
4092, Revision 01, dated September 28, 1999.
    (i) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4089, Revision 01, prior to or 
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish 
either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4022, dated April 3, 1995, or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4092, Revision 01, dated September 
28, 1999.
    (ii) If modification of the GPSSU is accomplished in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4092, Revision 01, prior to or 
concurrent with accomplishment of the modification, accomplish 
either Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-4022, dated April 3, 1995, or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4078, Revision 01, dated November 
26, 1999, including Appendix 01, dated November 26, 1999.

    Note 3: The Airbus service bulletins reference LITTON Service 
Bulletin 2001-34-13, dated July 8, 1999, and LITTON Service Bulletin 
2001-34-14, dated July 5, 1999, as additional sources of service 
information for modifying the GPSSU.

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a GPSSU having P/N 465205-0302-0302 or 465205-0302-
0303.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 and 
Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 4: 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

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 1999-361-138(B), dated September 8, 1999; 
1999-354-101(B), dated September 8, 1999; and 1999-355-123(B), dated 
September 8, 1999; in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France.


[[Page 1353]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-503 Filed 1-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U