[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 658-660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-115]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-333-AD; Amendment 39-10272; AD 98-01-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 and A310 series
airplanes. This action requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to instruct the flightcrew to crosscheck certain primary power
setting parameters of the Thrust Control Computer (TCC) against tables
of these values; and apply corrective action, if necessary. This
amendment also provides for optional terminating action for the AFM
revision. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified in this AD are intended to ensure that
the flightcrew is provided with procedures for crosschecking and
correcting certain primary power setting parameters of the TCC;
incorrect parameters could result in insufficient thrust being applied
during takeoff.
DATES: Effective January 22, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 22, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before February 6, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-333-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 A310 and
A300-600 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, in three instances,
incorrect primary power setting parameters [N1 rotor speed or engine
pressure ratio (EPR)] have been observed on airplanes in service. These
incorrect parameters have been attributed to inaccurate data
computations by the Thrust Control Computer (TCC), due to electrical
power transients occurring during the engine startup sequence.
Incorrect primary power setting parameters in the TCC, if not
corrected, could result in insufficient thrust being applied during
takeoff.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued A300-600 Flight Manual Temporary Revisions
4.03.00/18 and 4.03.00/19; and A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revisions
4.03.00/20 and
[[Page 659]]
4.03.00/21; all dated November 4, 1996. These temporary revisions
describe procedures for crosschecking the primary power setting
parameters (N1 or EPR) of the TCC against tables of these values given
in the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM); and resetting the TCC, if
necessary.
Airbus also has issued service bulletins which describe procedures
for modification of the TCC on certain airplanes, to prevent its
sensitivity to electrical power transients. Accomplishment of the
modification eliminates the need for the AFM limitation. The
modification of the TCC varies depending on the airplane model and
engine configuration, as specified in each Airbus service bulletin
below:
A310-22-2025, dated April 18, 1989;
A310-22-2027, dated June 8, 1990;
A310-22-2031, dated September 2, 1991;
A310-22-2035, Revision 1, dated July 13, 1994;
A300-22-6010, dated April 18, 1989;
A300-22-6011, dated June 8, 1990; and
A300-22-6017, dated September 2, 1991.
The DGAC classified these AFM temporary revisions and service
bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 97-
110-218(B), dated May 7, 1997, in order to assure 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 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, this AD is being issued to ensure that the
flightcrew is provided with procedures for crosschecking and correcting
certain primary power setting parameters of the TCC; incorrect
parameters could result in insufficient thrust being applied during
takeoff. This AD requires revising the Limitations Section of the FAA-
approved AFM by incorporating the previously described temporary AFM
revisions, as applicable. This AD also provides for optional
terminating action for the AFM revisions.
Interim Action
This AD is considered to be interim action. While the French
airworthiness directive also requires modification of the TCC on
certain A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, in accordance with the
previously described service bulletins, this AD provides for optional
modification of the TCC. The FAA is currently considering requiring
modification of the TCC. However, the planned compliance time is
sufficiently long so that notice and opportunity for prior public
comment will be practicable.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-333-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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.
[[Page 660]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-01-09 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10272. Docket 97-NM-333-AD.
Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes equipped
with General Electric CF6-80C2 engines on which Airbus Modification
7174, 7588, or 8246 has not been accomplished; and Model A310 and
A300-600 series airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW 4000
engines on which Airbus Modification 7694 has not been accomplished;
certificated in any category.
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 (c) 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 is provided with procedures for
crosschecking and correcting certain primary power setting
parameters of the Thrust Control Computer (TCC),accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) by inserting a copy of A300-600 or A310 Flight Manual
Temporary Revision 4.03.00/18, 4.03.00/19, 4.03.00/20, or 4.03.00/
21, all dated November 4, 1996; as applicable; into the AFM.
Note 2: When the temporary revision specified in paragraph (a)
of this AD has been incorporated into the general revisions of the
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the
information contained in the general revision is identical to that
specified in the applicable temporary revision cited in paragraph
(a).
(b) Accomplishment of modification of the TCC in accordance with
the applicable Airbus service bulletins specified below constitutes
terminating action for the requirement of paragraph (a) of this AD:
A310-22-2025, dated April 18, 1989;
A310-22-2027, dated June 8, 1990;
A310-22-2031, dated September 2, 1991;
A310-22-2035, Revision 1, dated July 13, 1994;
A300-22-6010, dated April 18, 1989;
A300-22-6011, dated June 8, 1990;
A300-22-6017, dated September 2, 1991.
After the modification has been accomplished, the Temporary AFM
Revision may be removed from the AFM.
(c) 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, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 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.
(d) 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.
(e) The AFM revision shall be done in accordance with Airbus
A300-600 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.03.00/18, dated November
4, 1996; Airbus Model A300-600 Flight Manual Temporary Revision
4.03.00/19, dated November 4, 1996; Airbus A310 Flight Manual
Temporary Revision 4.03.00/20, dated November 4, 1996; or Airbus
A310 Flight Manual Temporary Revision 4.03.00/21, dated November 4,
1996; as applicable. The modification, if accomplished, shall be
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2025, dated
April 18, 1989; Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2027, dated June 8,
1990; Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2031, dated September 2, 1991;
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2035, Revision 1, dated July 13,
1994; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6010, dated April 18, 1989;
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6011, dated June 8, 1990; or Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-22-6017, dated September 2, 1991; as
applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-110-218(B), dated May 7, 1997.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 22, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 29, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-115 Filed 1-6-98; 8:45 am]
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