[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3153-3155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00714]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0924; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-228-AD;
Amendment 39-18067; AD 2014-25-51]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This
emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators
of these airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight
manual to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for abnormal
Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot). This AD was prompted by a report of
Angle of Attack (AoA) probes jamming on an in-service Airbus Model A321
airplane. Jamming of the two AoA probes during climb is attributed to
water freezing under the AoA vane slinger, and led to activation of the
Alpha Prot while the Mach number increased, which resulted in an
airplane pitch down per design. We are issuing this AD to ensure that
the flightcrew has procedures to counteract the pitch down order due to
abnormal activation of the Alpha Prot. An abnormal Alpha Prot, if not
corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 2015 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD
2014-25-51, issued on December 10, 2014, which contained the
requirements of this amendment.
We must receive comments on this AD by March 9, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0924; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office
(phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1405;
fax 425-227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On December 10, 2014, we issued Emergency AD 2014-25-51, which
requires revising the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew
of emergency procedures for abnormal Alpha Prot. This emergency AD was
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these
airplanes.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued Emergency
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0266-E, dated December 9, 2014 (referred
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all Model A318, A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was reported where an Airbus A321 aeroplane
encountered a blockage of two Angle of Attack (AoA) probes during
climb, leading to activation of the Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot)
while the Mach number increased. The flightcrew managed to regain
full control and the flight landed uneventfully.
When Alpha Prot is activated due to blocked AoA probes, the
flight control laws order a continuous nose down pitch rate that, in
a worst case scenario, cannot be stopped with backward sidestick
inputs, even in the full backward position. If the Mach number
increases during a nose down order, the AoA value of the Alpha Prot
will continue to decrease. As a result, the flight control laws will
continue to order a nose down pitch rate, even if the speed is above
minimum selectable speed, known as VLS.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of
control of the aeroplane.
To address this unsafe condition, Airbus * * * [has] developed a
specific Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) procedure, which has been
published in AFM Temporary Revision (TR) No. 502.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires amendment of
the applicable AFM [to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures
for abnormal Alpha Prot].
This is considered to be an interim action and further [EASA] AD
action may follow.
FAA's Determination and AD Requirements
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because an
abnormal Alpha Prot, if not corrected, could result in loss of control
of the airplane. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for
prior public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2014-0924 and
Directorate
[[Page 3154]]
Identifier 2014-NM-228-AD at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 953 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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AFM revision...................... 1 work-hour X $85 per $0 $85 $81,005
hour = $85.
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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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD 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.
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2014-25-51 Airbus: Amendment 39-18067; Docket No. FAA-2014-0924;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-228-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective February 6, 2015 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency
AD 2014-25-51, issued on December 10, 2014, which contained the
requirements of this amendment.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and
(c)(4) of this AD.
(1) All Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
(2) All Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and
-133 airplanes.
(3) All Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233
airplanes.
(4) All Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and
-232 airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of Angle of Attack (AoA) probes
jamming on an in-service Airbus Model A321 airplane. Jamming of the
two AoA probes during climb is attributed to water freezing under
the AoA vane slinger, and led to activation of the Alpha Protection
(Alpha Prot) while the Mach number increased, which resulted in an
airplane pitch down per design. We are issuing this AD to ensure the
flightcrew has procedures to counteract the pitch down order due to
abnormal activation of the Alpha Prot. An abnormal Alpha Prot, if
not corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
Within 2 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
AFM to incorporate procedures to address undue activation of Alpha
Prot by inserting the text specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of
this AD into the Emergency Procedures section of the applicable AFM,
to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for abnormal Alpha
Prot. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into
the AFM. When a statement identical to the text specified in figure
1 to paragraph (g) of this AD is included in the general revisions
of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, and
the text specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD may be
removed.
[[Page 3155]]
Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--AFM Procedure
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At any time, with a speed above VLS, if the aircraft goes to a
continuous nose down pitch rate that cannot be stopped with backward
sidestick inputs, immediately:
Keep on one ADR.
Turn off two ADRs.
If the Alpha Max strip (red) hides completely the Alpha Prot
strip (black and amber) in a stabilized wings-level flight path
(without an increase in load factor):
Keep on one ADR.
Turn off two ADRs.
In case of dispatch with one ADR inoperative, switch only one ADR to
OFF.
CAUTION RISK OF ERRONEOUS DISPLAY OF THE VSW STRIP (RED AND
BLACK)
Consider using the Flight Path Vector (FPV).
If the Alpha Prot strip (black and amber) rapidly moves by more
than 30 kt during flight maneuvers (with an increase in load factor),
with AP ON and speed brakes retracted:
Keep on one ADR.
Turn off two ADRs.
In case of dispatch with one ADR inoperative, switch only one ADR to
OFF.
CAUTION RISK OF ERRONEOUS DISPLAY OF THE VSW STRIP (RED AND BLACK)
Consider using the Flight Path Vector (FPV).
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(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197
and 21.199), are not allowed.
(i) Other FAA Provisions
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1405; fax 425-227-1149. Before using any
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or
Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1405; fax 425-227-1149.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 7, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00714 Filed 1-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P