[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 28, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70821-70822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30321]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-124-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and Model A300-600 
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 all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes. This proposal would require revising the Airplane 
Flight Manual. This action is necessary to provide the flight crew with 
procedures to maintain airplane controllability in the event of an in-
flight thrust reverser deployment. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-124-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. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the 
following address: [email protected]. Comments sent via the 
Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-124-AD'' in the subject line 
and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet 
as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket 2000-NM-124-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. 2000-NM-124-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, has advised the FAA that certain 
procedures have been revised in the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for 
Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. In the event of an in-
flight thrust reverser deployment, the existing ``ENG REV UNLK'' 
procedure could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. The 
revised procedures are intended to address this problem.
    The FAA has approved the following revisions to Section 4.02.00 of 
the Airbus AFM's for Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes powered 
by Pratt & Whitney and General Electric engines:

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          Model/Series                        Reference                                  Date
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A310-203, -221, -222, and -304.  Ref. 02............................  November 23, 1999.
A310-324 and -325..............  Ref. 04............................  November 24, 1999.
A300-600 B4-605R...............  Ref. 02............................  November 23, 1999.
A300-600 F4-605R...............  Ref. 05............................  November 24, 1999.
A300-600 B4-622R...............  Ref. 06............................  November 25, 1999.
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Related AD

    The FAA has issued a related AD, AD 99-18-19, amendment 39-11285 
(64 FR 48277, September 3, 1999), which is applicable to certain 
General Electric engines installed on Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 
series airplanes. Among other things, that AD requires, at paragraph 
(g), an AFM revision similar to that proposed in this notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM). The FAA may consider further rulemaking to 
remove the AFM revision requirement of paragraph (g) of AD 99-18-19. 
The FAA can more adequately address the identified unsafe condition by 
incorporating that requirement into this proposed AD, which is directed 
to

[[Page 70822]]

airplanes rather than engines, and by including all Airbus Model A310 
and A300-600 series airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney and General 
Electric engines in the applicability of this proposed AD.

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 revising the AFM to 
provide the flight crew with procedures to maintain airplane 
controllability in the event of an in-flight thrust reverser 
deployment.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 116 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to do the actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,960, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 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 2000-NM-124-AD.
    Applicability: All Model A310 and Model A300-600 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To maintain airplane controllability in the event of an in-
flight thrust reverser deployment, accomplish the following:

Revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations and Emergency Procedures Sections of the FAA-
approved AFM by inserting the following references into Section 
4.02.00 of the applicable AFM.

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          Model/Series                        Reference                                  Date
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Airbus A310 AFM:
    A310-203, -221, -222, and -  Ref. 02............................  November 23, 1999.
     304.
    A310-324 and -325..........  Ref. 04............................  November 24, 1999.
Airbus A300-600 AFM:
    A300-600 B4-605R...........  Ref. 02............................  November 23, 1999.
    A300-600 F4-605R...........  Ref. 05............................  November 24, 1999.
    A300-600 B4-622R...........  Ref. 06............................  November 25, 1999.
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    (b) After the AFM is revised as required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD, the AFM revision for Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series 
airplanes powered by certain General Electric engines, as required 
by paragraph (g) of AD 99-18-19, amendment 39-11285, may be removed.

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

    Note 1: 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30321 Filed 11-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P