[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 20, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33872-33876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11672]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27565; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-215-AD; 
Amendment 39-15111; AD 2007-13-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-
200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 
airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitively resetting the 
display units (DUs) for the electronic instrument system (EIS), either 
by switching them off and back on again or by performing a complete 
electrical shutdown of the airplane. This new AD requires installing 
new software, which would end the actions required by the existing AD. 
This new AD also adds additional airplanes that may be placed on the 
U.S. Register in the future. This AD results from an incident in which 
all of the DUs for the EIS went blank simultaneously during flight. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent automatic reset of the DUs for the EIS 
during flight and consequent loss of data from the DUs, which could 
reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane during 
adverse flight conditions.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 25, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 25, 2007.
    On September 12, 2005 (70 FR 50166, August 26, 2005), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
certain other publications listed in the AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket

[[Page 33873]]

Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the ground 
floor of the West Building at the street address stated in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2005-17-18, amendment 
39-14239 (70 FR 50166, August 26, 2005). The existing AD applies to 
certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series 
airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2007 (72 FR 12127). That 
NPRM proposed to continue to require repetitively resetting the display 
units for the electronic instrument system, either by switching them 
off and back on again or by performing a complete electrical shutdown 
of the airplane. That NPRM also proposed to require installing new 
software, which would end the actions required by the existing AD. That 
NPRM also proposed to add additional airplanes that may be placed on 
the U.S. Register in the future.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

New Service Bulletin Revision

    Since we issued the NPRM, we have received Revision 03 of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-31-3056, dated November 25, 2004. Airbus issued 
this service bulletin to add non-U.S.-registered airplanes to the 
effectivity. The service bulletin describes procedures for installing 
Thales display system standard L4 or L5 in the electronic instrument 
system 2. No additional work is required for airplanes on which the 
required actions have been done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-31-3056, Revision 02, dated March 24, 2003, which was 
referred to as the appropriate source of service information for the 
actions specified in the NPRM. We have changed the reference to this 
service bulletin in paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of the AD, added a new 
paragraph (j) of this AD to give credit for actions done before the 
effective date of this AD according to Revision 02 of the service 
bulletin, and redesignated subsequent paragraphs of the AD accordingly.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Clarification of Paragraph Identifiers in Paragraph (h) of This AD

    We have revised paragraph (h) of this AD to include certain 
paragraph identifiers in Table 2 that were unintentionally omitted from 
the NPRM.

Clarification of Applicability

    We unintentionally included only the A340-200 of the Model A340 
airplanes in the subject line on the first page of the NPRM. It should 
have read ``Airbus Model A330 and A340 Airplanes.'' The correct models 
appeared in all other sections of the NPRM. We have corrected the 
subject line in the heading of this final rule.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
changes described previously. We have determined that these changes 
will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase 
the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD. The average labor rate per work hour is $80.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                      Number  of
                                                                                                                        U.S.-
               Action                       Work hour(s)                Parts                Cost per airplane        registered        Fleet cost
                                                                                                                      airplanes
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Resetting the DUs (required by AD     1......................  None...................  $80, per reset.............           27  $2,160, per reset.
 2005-17-18).
Installation of new software (new     3......................  The manufacturer states  $240.......................           27  $6,480.
 action).                                                       that it will supply
                                                                required parts to the
                                                                operators at no cost..
Additional requirement (new action).  Between 1 and 5,         The manufacturer states  Between $80 and $400,                 27  Between $2,160 and
                                       depending on the         that it will supply      depending on the airplane                 $10,800, depending on
                                       airplane configuration.  required parts to the    configuration.                            the configuration of
                                                                operators at no cost.                                              the fleet.
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will

[[Page 33874]]

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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-14239 (70 FR 50166, August 26, 2005) and by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-13-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-15111. Docket No. FAA-2007-27565; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-215AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 25, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-17-18.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes; 
certificated in any category; on which one of the Airbus Electronic 
Instrument System 2 (EIS2) software versions listed in Table 1 of 
this AD is installed; excluding those airplanes on which Airbus 
Modification 53063 has been done in production.

                                                                 Table 1.--Applicability
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                                               Installed by
                                                this Airbus
            EIS2 software version              Modification                Or installed by one of these Airbus Service Bulletins in service
                                               in production
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L4-1........................................           51153  A330-31-3056, A330-31-3057, or A340-31-5001.
L5..........................................           51974  A330-31-3056, A330-31-3069, A340-31-4087, or A340-31-5012.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an incident in which all of the display 
units (DUs) for the EIS went blank simultaneously during flight. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent automatic reset of the DUs for the 
EIS during flight and consequent loss of data from the DUs, which 
could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane 
during adverse flight conditions.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Requirements of AD 2005-17-18

Resetting the DUs for the EIS

    (f) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -
322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, 
-213, -311, -312, -313, -541, and -642 airplanes: Within 2 days 
after September 12, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-17-18), or 
within 4 days after the last reset of the DUs for the EIS or 
complete electrical shutdown of the airplane, whichever is first: 
Reset the DUs for the EIS by doing the actions in either paragraph 
(f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD. Thereafter, do the actions in paragraph 
(f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 4 days.
    (1) Switch off each DU for the EIS, wait 5 seconds or longer, 
and switch the DU back on again, in accordance with Airbus All 
Operator Telex (AOT) A330-31A3092 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -
223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes), 
A340-31A4102 (for A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes), or A340-31A5023 (for Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes), 
all dated August 1, 2005, as applicable. This action may be 
performed by the flight deck crew or by certificated maintenance 
personnel.
    (2) Perform a complete electrical shutdown of the airplane.

New Requirements of This Ad

Installation of New Software

    (g) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (f) 
of this AD: Within 2 days after the effective date of this AD, or 
within 4 days after the last reset of the DUs for the EIS or 
complete electrical shutdown of the airplane, whichever is first, do 
the reset specified in paragraph (f) of this AD and repeat 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4 days, until the installation 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD has been done.
    (h) For all airplanes: Within 7 months after the effective date 
of this AD, install EIS2 software standard L6-1 in accordance with 
the applicable service bulletin identified in Table 2 of this AD. 
Accomplishing the installation ends the actions required by 
paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD.

      Table 2.--Service Bulletins for Installation of New Software
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus Service Bulletin--                   For model--
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(1) A330-31-3087, dated June 26, 2006..  A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
                                          243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -
                                          322, -323, -341, -342, and -
                                          343 airplanes.
(2) A340-31-4100, dated June 26, 2006..  A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -
                                          312, and -313 airplanes.
(3) A340-31-5021, dated June 26, 2006..  A340-541 and -642 airplanes.
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[[Page 33875]]

Additional Requirements

    (i) Prior to accomplishing the requirements specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, do the applicable action(s) specified in 
Table 3 of this AD.

                                                            Table 3.--Additional Requirements
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     For airplanes identified in--                  Install--                              In accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin--
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(1) Paragraph (h)(1) of this AD........  (i) EIS2 software standard L5..  A330-31-3069, Revision 01, dated December 27, 2004.
                                         (ii) Thales display system       A330-31-3056, Revision 03, dated November 25, 2004.
                                          standard L4.
(2) Paragraph (h)(2) of this AD........  EIS2 software standard L5......  A340-31-4087, Revision 01, dated December 27, 2004.
(3) Paragraph (h)(3) of this AD........  EIS2 software standard L5......  A340-31-5012, Revision 01, dated December 27, 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Service Information

    (j) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
according to Airbus Service Bulletin A330-31-3056, Revision 02, 
dated March 24, 2003, are considered acceptable for compliance with 
the corresponding action specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-17-18 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph 
(f) of this AD.

Related Information

    (l) European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive 
2006-0196, dated July 10, 2006, also addresses the subject of this 
AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use the documents identified in Table 4 and Table 5 
of this AD, as applicable, to perform the actions that are required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

        Table 4.--All Operators Telexes Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus all operators telex                      Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-31A3092...........................  August 1, 2005.
A340-31A4102...........................  August 1, 2005.
A340-31A5023...........................  August 1, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              Table 5.--Service Bulletins Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Airbus Service Bulletin                   Revision level                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-31-3056...........................  03.............................  November 25, 2004.
A330-31-3069...........................  01.............................  December 27, 2004.
A330-31-3087...........................  Original.......................  June 26, 2006.
A340-31-4087...........................  01.............................  December 27, 2004.
A340-31-4100...........................  Original.......................  June 26, 2006.
A340-31-5012...........................  01.............................  December 27, 2004.
A340-31-5021...........................  Original.......................  June 26, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the documents identified in Table 6 of 
this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

                                Table 6.--New Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Airbus Service Bulletin                   Revision level                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-31-3056...........................  03.............................  November 25, 2004.
A330-31-3069...........................  01.............................  December 27, 2004.
A330-31-3087...........................  Original.......................  June 26, 2006.
A340-31-4087...........................  01.............................  December 27, 2004.
A340-31-4100...........................  Original.......................  June 26, 2006.
A340-31-5012...........................  01.............................  December 27, 2004.
A340-31-5021...........................  Original.......................  June 26, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) On September 12, 2005 (70 FR 50166, August 26, 2005), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of the documents identified in Table 7 of this AD.

         Table 7.--Material Previously Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Airbus all operators telex                      Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-31A3092...........................  August 1, 2005.
A340-31A4102...........................  August 1, 2005.
A340-31A5023...........................  August 1, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France, for a copy of this service information. You may 
review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 33876]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 8, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-11672 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P