[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51787-51789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20133]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-303-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 all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-
600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes; and 
Model A310 series airplanes. This proposal would require revising the 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flight crew with procedures 
to maintain controllability of the airplane in the event of an in-
flight deployment of the thrust reverser. The action specified in this 
AD is intended to ensure that the flight crew is advised of the 
potential hazard associated with an in-flight deployment of the thrust 
reverser, and the procedures necessary to address it. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 9, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-303-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-303-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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; 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-303-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

[[Page 51788]]

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2001-NM-303-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 all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, and 
Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that using the existing thrust 
reverser ``ENG REV UNLK'' procedures in the Procedures Following 
Failures section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane in the event of an in-flight 
deployment of the thrust reverser.

Explanation of Relevant French Airworthiness Information

    The DGAC issued French airworthiness directive 2001-186(B) dated 
May 16, 2001, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France. The French airworthiness directive requires 
incorporating certain AFM revision pages into the AFM of the subject 
airplane models.

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 designs registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require revising the 
Limitations and Procedures sections of the AFM. The procedure defines 
actions to be taken by the flight crew in case of an uncommanded in-
flight deployment of the thrust reverser.

Differences Between the French Airworthiness Directive and Proposed 
Rule

    The French airworthiness directive requires revising the AFM in 
accord with certain AFM revisions. This proposed AD would require that 
the procedures described in those certain AFM revisions be incorporated 
into the AFM in accord with this proposed AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 128 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed AFM revision, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$7,680, 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 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: Docket 2001-NM-303-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A310 series airplanes, and all Model 
A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-
600) series airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane in the event 
of an in-flight deployment of the thrust reverser, accomplish the 
following:

Revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Procedures Following Failures section of the Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) to include the ``ENG REV UNLK'' procedure contained in 
this paragraph of this AD. This may be accomplished by inserting a 
copy of this AD into the AFM.

      ``For airplanes fitted with ECAM SGU standard W23 or above:
ENG REV UNLK (MOD 10264 or MOD 10908 or
 11318)
    --THROTTLE...........................  IDLE.
    --MAX SPEED..........................  300 KT.
IF BUFFET OR BANK:
    --FUEL LEVER.........................  OFF.
    --MAX SPEED..........................  240 KT.
    --Approach Speed: 1.3 Vs of selected
     landing configuration plus 10 kt.
 
 
[[Page 51789]]

 
     For airplanes fitted with ECAM SGU standard earlier than W23:
ENG REV UNLK
    --THROTTLE...........................  IDLE (memory item).
    --MAX SPEED..........................  300 KT (memory item).
IF BUFFET OR BANK:
    --FUEL LEVER.........................  OFF.
    --MAX SPEED..........................  240 KT.
    --Approach Speed: 1.3 Vs of selected
     landing configuration plus 10 kt.''.
 

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 1: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Manager, 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 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-186(B), dated May 16, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 29, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20133 Filed 8-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P