[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17893-17896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9015]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-39-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; Equipped With Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4 or 4000 Series 
Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-
600 and A310 series airplanes, that currently requires deactivating 
both thrust reversers and revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to 
ensure safe and appropriate performance during certain takeoff 
conditions. This action would require installing modifications that 
will add an independent third line of defense on the thrust reversers, 
which would enhance their redundancy and terminate the requirements of 
the existing AD. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended 
to prevent in-flight deployment of the thrust reversers, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-39-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. 2002-NM-39-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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-39-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. 2002-NM-39-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On December 15, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-25-51, amendment 39-
10952 (63 FR 70637, December 22, 1998), applicable to certain Airbus 
Model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes. That AD requires deactivating 
both thrust reversers and revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to 
ensure safe and appropriate performance during certain takeoff 
conditions. That action was prompted by a report indicating that the 
thrust reverser of engine number 1 on an Airbus Model A300-600 series 
airplane deployed during climb. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to prevent in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since AD 98-25-51 was issued, Airbus issued service information 
that provides instructions for reactivating the thrust reversers 
through the implementation of a program that involves parts replacement 
and repetitive inspections of the thrust reversers. The FAA approved 
this program as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) with the 
requirements of AD 98-25-51, allowing for reactivation of the thrust 
reversers and removal of the AFM limitations.
    The actions required by AD 98-25-51 and the reactivation program 
are considered ``interim action.'' Since issuance of that AD and the 
AMOC, the manufacturer has developed a modification to address the 
unsafe

[[Page 17894]]

condition, and the FAA has determined that further rulemaking action is 
necessary; this proposed AD follows from that determination.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the following service bulletins:
    Service Bulletins

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus service bulletin--             For Airbus model--                 Equipped with model--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-78-6017, dated August 6, 2001.....  A300 B4-620 airplanes.....  PWJT9D-7R4 series engines.
A300-78-6018, dated July 17, 2001......  A300 B4-622R airplanes....  PW4000 series engines.
A300-78-6020, dated August 10, 2001....  A300 B4-622 airplanes.....  PW4000 series engines.
A310-78-2018, dated June 1, 2001.......  A310-222 and -322 series    PWJT9D-7R4 series engines.
                                          airplanes.
A310-78-2019, dated May 2, 2001........  A310-324 and -325 series    PW4000 series engines.
                                          airplanes.
A310-78-2020, dated June 1, 2001.......  A310-221 and -222 series    PWJT9D-7R4 series engines.
                                          airplanes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These service bulletins describe procedures for installing 
modifications that will add an independent third line of defense on the 
thrust reverser system and consequently enhance its redundancy. The 
actions are intended to preclude a single/dual thrust reverser 
deployment due to failure of the first two lines of defense, or failure 
of mechanical retention means. The modifications comprise five parts:
    [sbull] Retrofit of the new electrical circuit between the avionics 
compartment and the forward cargo compartment at frame (FR) 38.2.
    [sbull] Retrofit of the new electrical circuit between the forward 
cargo compartment at FR 38.2 and the wing/pylon interfaces.
    sbull Retrofit of the new electrical circuit in the engine pylons.
    [sbull] Retrofit of the new electrical circuit in the avionics 
compartment.
    [sbull] Installation of the synchronous shaft lock system and 
connection to the new electrical circuit.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, classified these service bulletins 
as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2001-523(B), 
dated October 31, 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 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 supersede AD 98-25-51 to 
continue to require deactivating both thrust reversers and revising the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) to ensure that safe and appropriate 
performance is achieved during certain takeoff conditions. (The AMOC 
described previously allows for re-activation of the thrust reversers 
and removal of the AFM limitations.) The proposed AD would also require 
installing modifications involving retrofit of a new electrical circuit 
at four locations and installation of the synchronous shaft lock system 
and connection to the new electrical circuit. The modifications would 
terminate the requirements of the existing AD, as well as the 
associated AMOC, which allows re-activation of the thrust reversers. 
The modifications would be required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the applicable service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 38 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be 
affected by this proposed AD. The FAA provides the following cost 
estimates for the actions specified in this proposed AD:

Cost Estimates

 
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                                                                              Hourly                   Cost per
               Action                      Model/series       Work  hours   labor rate   Parts cost    airplane
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                                    Actions currently required by AD 98-25-51
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Thrust reverser deactivation........  All...................            2          $60           $0         $120
AFM revision........................  All...................            1           60            0           60
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                                   Proposed modification, per Service Bulletin
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A310-78-2018........................  A310-222 and -322.....        1,433           60       16,234      102,214
A310-78-2019........................  A310-324 and -325.....        1,395           60       15,061       98,761
A310-78-2020........................  A310-221 and -222.....        1,267           60       14,848       90,868
A300-78-6017........................  A300 B4-620...........          817           60       13,810       62,830
A300-78-6018........................  A300 B4-622R..........        1,198           60       15,141       87,021
A300-78-6020........................  A300 B4-622...........          817           60       10,760       59,780
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[[Page 17895]]

    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. 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 for 
planning, gaining access and closing up, or performing 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 removing amendment 39-10952 (63 FR 
70637, December 22, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Airbus: Docket 2002-NM-39-AD. Supersedes AD 98-25-51, Amendment 39-
10952.

    Applicability: The following airplanes; certificated in any 
category:

                                             Table 1.--Applicability
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                                                                 Except those modified        Or modified in
                                                                   in accordance with     accordance with Airbus
               Model--                     Equipped with--           Airbus service             production
                                                                       bulletin--             modification--
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A300 B4-620..........................  PWJT9D-7R4 series        A300-78-6017, dated      12261, 12264, and
                                        engines.                 August 6, 2001.          12265.
A300 B4-622..........................  PW4000 series engines..  A300-78-6020, dated      12262, 12263, 12265,
                                                                 August 10, 2001.         and 12377; or 12262,
                                                                                          12263, and 12266.
A300 B4-622R.........................  PW4000 series engines..  A300-78-6018, dated      12262, 12263, 12265,
                                                                 July 17, 2001.           and 12377; or 12262,
                                                                                          12263, and 12266.
A310-221.............................  PWJT9D-7R4 series        A310-78-2020, dated      12261, 12264, and
                                        engines.                 June 1, 2001.            12265.
A310-222.............................  PWJT9D-7R4 series        A310-78-2020 or A310-78- 12261, 12264, and
                                        engines.                 2018, both dated June    12265.
                                                                 1, 2001.
Airbus Model A310-324 and -325.......  PW4000 series engines..  A310-78-2019, dated May  12262, 12263, 12265,
                                                                 2, 2001.                 and 12377; or 12262,
                                                                                          12263, and 12266.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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)(1) 
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 in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 98-25-51

    (a) Within the next 4 flight cycles after December 28, 1998 (the 
effective date of AD 98-25-51, amendment 39-10952), deactivate both 
thrust reversers in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 
78-08, dated November 30, 1998.
    (b) Within the next 4 flight cycles after December 28, 1998, 
revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) to include the following:

    ``The takeoff performance on wet and contaminated runways with 
thrust reversers deactivated shall be determined in accordance with 
Airbus Flight Operations Telex (FOT) 999.0124/98, dated November 30, 
1998, as follows:
    For takeoff on wet runways, use performance data in accordance 
with paragraph 4.1 of the FOT.
    For takeoff on contaminated runways, use performance data in 
accordance with paragraph 4.2 of the FOT.

(Note: This supersedes any relief provided by the Master Minimum 
Equipment List (MMEL).)

    Note 2: The ``FCOM'' referenced in Airbus Flight Operations 
Telex (FOT) 999.0124/98, dated November 30, 1998, is Airbus 
Industrie Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM), Revision 27 for 
Airbus Model A310 series airplanes and Revision 22 for A300-600 
series airplanes. (The revision number is indicated on the List of 
Effective Pages (LEP) of the FCOM.)

New Requirements of This AD

Modification

    (c) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, install 
modifications related to an independent third line of defense on the 
thrust reversers, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin 
listed in Table 2 of this AD. The modifications involve retrofit of 
a new electrical circuit at four locations and installation of the 
synchronous shaft lock system and connection to the new electrical 
circuit. After the modifications have been

[[Page 17896]]

installed, the thrust reversers may be reactivated, and the AFM 
limitation specified by paragraph (b) of this AD may be removed from 
the AFM. Table 2 follows:

             Table 2.--Service Information for Modification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Install the
                                                        modification in
       For Airbus model--            Equipped with      accordance with
                                        model--         Airbus service
                                                          bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B4-620 airplanes...........  PWJT9D-7R4 series   A300-78-6017,
                                   engines.            dated August 6,
                                                       2001.
A300 B4-622 airplanes...........  PW4000 series       A300-78-6020,
                                   engines.            dated August 10,
                                                       2001.
A300 B4-622R airplanes..........  PW4000 series       A300-78-6018,
                                   engines.            dated July 17,
                                                       2001.
A310-221 series airplanes.......  PWJT9D-7R4 series   A310-78-2020,
                                   engines.            dated June 1,
                                                       2001.
A310-222 series airplanes.......  PWJT9D-7R4 series   A310-78-2020 or
                                   engines.            A310-78-2018,
                                                       both dated June
                                                       1, 2001.
A310-322 series airplanes.......  PWJT9D-7R4 series   A310-78-2018,
                                   engines.            dated June 1,
                                                       2001.
Airbus Model A310-324 and -325    PW4000 series       A310-78-2019,
 series airplanes.                 engines.            dated May 2,
                                                       2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d)(1) 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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in 
accordance with AD 98-25-51, amendment 39-10952, are approved as 
alternative methods of compliance with the requirements of 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.

    Note 3: 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-523(B), dated October 31, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9015 Filed 4-11-03; 8:45 am]
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