[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 127 (Monday, July 2, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34800-34802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16199]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-194-AD; Amendment 39-12299; AD 2001-13-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600); and A310 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; A300 B4-600, B4-
600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600); and A310 series 
airplanes. This action requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to 
advise the flight crew of appropriate procedures to follow in the event 
of lost or erroneous airspeed indications. This action is necessary to 
prevent inadvertent excursions outside the normal flight envelope. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 17, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 17, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-194-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-194-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 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: Tamra Elkins, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2669; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 all Airbus Model A300 B2 and 
A300 B4; A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-
600); and A310 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that. Lost or 
erroneous airspeed indications could result in lack of sufficient 
information for the flight crew to safely operate the airplane, and 
consequent inadvertent excursions outside the normal flight fenvelope.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the following Temporary Revisions (TRs) to the 
FAA-approved A300, A300-600, and A310 Airplane Flight Manuals (AFMs). 
The TRs provide updated procedures for the flight crew to follow in the 
event of lost or erroneous airspeed indications. The TRs are listed in 
the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Model/series                        Engine                   TR No.                    Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300..............................  GE CF6-50C                   4.02.00/08            April 25, 2001.
A300..............................  GE CF6-50C2/C2R              4.02.00/09            April 26, 2001.
A300-600..........................  GE CF6-80C2                  4.02.00/11            March 21, 2000.
A300-600..........................  PW 4000                      4.02.00/13            March 28, 2000.
A310..............................  GE CF6-80A3                  4.02.00/11            March 21, 2000.
A310..............................  GE CF6-80C2                  4.02.00/12            March 22, 2000.
A310..............................  PW JT9D-7R4                  4.02.00/13            March 23, 2000.
A310..............................  PW 4000                      4.02.00/14            March 24, 2000.
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[[Page 34801]]

    The DGAC classified these TRs as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 2001-129(B), dated April 4, 2001, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

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 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 inadvertent 
excursions outside the normal flight envelope in the event of lost or 
erroneous airspeed indications. This AD requires revising the 
applicable FAA-approved AFMs to advise the flight crew of appropriate 
procedures to follow in the event of lost or erroneous airspeed 
indications.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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.
    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 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 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 2001-NM-194-AD.'' The postcard will be date-stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2001-13-17  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12299. Docket 2001-NM-
194-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; A300 B4-600, B4-
600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600); and A310 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent excursions outside the normal flight 
envelope in the event of lost or erroneous airspeed indications, 
accomplish the following:

Revision to Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) For Model A300 B2-1A series airplanes equipped with General 
Electric CF6-50A engines, and for Model A300 B4-600 series airplanes 
equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4H1 engines: Within 10 days 
after the effective date of this AD, revise the ``Procedures 
Following Failure'' Section of the FAA-approved AFM, in accordance 
with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA.
    (b) For all airplanes not identified in paragraph (a) of this 
AD: Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
``Procedures Following Failure'' Section of the applicable AFM by 
inserting into the AFM a copy of the applicable Temporary Revision 
(TR) listed in the following table:

[[Page 34802]]



                                          Table 1.--Temporary Revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Model/series                        Engine                   TR No.                    Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300..............................  GE CF6-50C                   4.02.00/08            April 25, 2001.
A300..............................  GE CF6-50C2/C2R              4.02.00/09            April 26, 2001.
A300-600..........................  GE CF6-80C2                  4.02.00/11            March 21, 2000.
A300-600..........................  PW 4000                      4.02.00/13            March 28, 2000.
A310..............................  GE CF6-80A3                  4.02.00/11            March 21, 2000.
A310..............................  GE CF6-80C2                  4.02.00/12            March 22, 2000.
A310..............................  PW JT9D-7R4                  4.02.00/13            March 23, 2000.
A310..............................  PW 4000                      4.02.00/14            March 24, 2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) When the information in the applicable TR listed in Table 1 
of this AD has been incorporated into the FAA-approved general 
revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be incorporated into 
the AFM, and the TR may be removed from the AFM.

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. 
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

    (e) 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

    (f) The AFM revision required by paragraph (b) of this AD shall 
be done in accordance with A300 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 
4.02.00/08, dated April 25, 2001; A300 Flight Manual Temporary 
Revision 4.02.00/09, dated April 26, 2001; A300-600 Flight Manual 
Temporary Revision 4.02.00/11, dated March 21, 2000; A300-600 Flight 
Manual Temporary Revision 4.02.00/13, dated March 28, 2000; A310 
Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.02.00/11, dated March 21, 2000; 
A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.02.00/12, dated March 22, 
2000; A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.02.00/13, dated March 
23, 2000; and A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.02.00/14, 
dated March 24, 2000; as applicable. (Only page 2 of each Temporary 
Revision contains the document date; no other page of these 
documents contains this information.) 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 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-129(B), dated April 4, 2001.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21, 2001.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16199 Filed 6-29-01; 8:45 am]
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