[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 3, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15762-15763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7995]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-348-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) Series Airplanes; and Model A310 
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 A300-600 and 
A310 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of 
certain symbol generator units (SGUs) in the electronic flight 
instrument system with new, improved SGUs, and modification of 
associated equipment and wiring. This action is necessary to ensure 
that the flightcrew has adequate flight information by preventing 
temporary loss of data from the primary flight and navigation displays. 
Inadequate flight information could result in reduced situational 
awareness for the flight crew, which could contribute to loss of 
control or impact with obstacles or terrain. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 3, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-348-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 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-348-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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1503; 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 Number 2001-NM-348-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. 2001-NM-348-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, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and 
F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and Model A310 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, in one incident, all data on 
both primary flight displays and both navigation displays were lost for 
a few seconds during high-rate maneuvering following an event of heavy 
turbulence. This loss of data has been attributed to monitor exceedance 
by the symbol generator units (SGUs) in the electronic flight 
instrument system. Temporary loss of data from the primary flight 
displays and navigation displays could cause the flightcrew to have 
inadequate flight information. Inadequate flight information could 
result in reduced situational awareness for the flight crew, which 
could contribute to loss of control or impact with obstacles or 
terrain.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletins A300-34-6132 (for 
Model A300-600 series airplanes) and A310-34-2157 (for Model A310 
series airplanes), both dated May 17, 2001. Those service bulletins 
describe procedures for replacement of certain SGUs in the electronic 
flight instrument system with new, improved SGUs, and modification of 
associated equipment and wiring. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the applicable service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these 
service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness 
directive 2001-467(B), dated October 3, 2001, in order 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

[[Page 15763]]

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 service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 142 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement and 
associated modifications, and that the average labor rate is $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $470 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $100,820, or $710 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

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 2001-NM-348-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R 
(collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and Model A310 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; except those on 
which Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-6132 or A310-34-2157, both 
dated May 17, 2001 (Airbus Industrie Modification 12100 or 12291), 
has been accomplished.

    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 (b) 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 ensure that the flightcrew has adequate flight information by 
preventing temporary loss of data from the primary flight and 
navigation displays, accomplish the following:

Replacement and Modification

    (a) Within 3 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
all symbol generator units (SGUs), part number (P/N) 9612660319, in 
the electronic flight instrument system, with new, improved SGUs, P/
N 9612660321, and modify associated equipment and wiring, according 
to Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-6132 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes) or A310-34-2157 (for Model A310 series airplanes), both 
dated May 17, 2001, as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 2: 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

    (c) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-467(B), dated October 3, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 27, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7995 Filed 4-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P