[Federal Register: December 18, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 243)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70431-70432]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18de03-6]
[[Page 70431]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-57-AD; Amendment 39-13390; AD 2003-25-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series
Airplanes Equipped With Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) L80
Standard
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series
airplanes, that currently requires revising the airplane flight manual
to specify procedures for landing under certain conditions of gusty
winds and turbulence. This amendment requires replacement of both
Elevator and Aileron Computers (ELACs) having L80 standards with new
ELACs having L81 standards, which terminates the requirements of the
existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
activation of the high angle-of-attack protection during final approach
for landing, which could result in loss of ability to flare properly
during landings. This action is intended to address the identified
unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective January 22, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 22, 2004.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 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: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2001-08-26,
amendment 39-12203 (66 FR 20912, April 26, 2001), which is applicable
to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, was published
in the Federal Register on September 18, 2003 (68 FR 54691). The action
proposed to require revising the airplane flight manual to specify
procedures for landing under certain conditions of gusty winds and
turbulence. The action also proposed to require replacement of both
Elevator and Aileron Computers (ELACs) having L80 standards with new
ELACs having L81 standards, which would terminate the requirements of
the existing AD.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 350 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be
affected by this AD.
The AFM revision currently required by AD 2001-08-26 takes
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $22,750, or $65 per airplane.
The new replacement required in this AD action takes approximately
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65
per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at
no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,750, or $65 per
airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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
0
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
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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-12203 (66 FR
20912, April 26, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-13390, to read as follows:
2003-25-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-13390. Docket 2002-NM-57-AD.
Supersedes AD 2001-08-26, Amendment 39-12203.
Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes;
certificated in any category; equipped with Elevator and Aileron
Computer (ELAC) L80 Standard having part numbers listed in Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-27-1135, dated June 29, 2001.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent activation of the high angle-of-attack protection
during final approach for landing, which could result in loss of the
[[Page 70432]]
ability to flare properly during landings, accomplish the following:
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2001-08-26
Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
(a) Within 10 days after May 11, 2001 (the effective date of AD
2001-08-26, amendment 39-12203): Revise the Limitations Section of
the AFM to incorporate the following procedures. This may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. This
action is required until accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD.
``FOR APPROACH TO RUNWAYS WITH KNOWN GUSTY ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY
IF THESE CONDITIONS GENERATE VERTICAL GUSTS DUE TO THE SURROUNDING
TERRAIN, OR
--REPORTED GUST WIND INCREMENT (MAX. WIND MINUS AVERAGE WIND) HIGHER
THAN 10 KT, OR
--EXPECTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE ON SHORT FINAL,
THE FLIGHT CREW SHOULD STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:
--USE CONF 3 FOR APPROACH AND LANDING,
--MINIMUM VAPP IS VLS + 10 KT; THE RECOMMENDATION TO USE MANAGED
SPEED REMAINS VALID,
--CORRECT THE LANDING DISTANCE FOR THE SPEED INCREMENT,
--IF ``SINK RATE'' GPWS WARNING OCCURS BELOW 200 FT, IMMEDIATELY
INITIATE A GO AROUND.''
New Requirements of This AD
Replacement
(b) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD: Replace
both Elevator and Aileron Computers (ELACs) having L80 standards
with new ELACs having L81 standards, by doing all the actions per
paragraphs A., B., C., and D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1135, dated June 29, 2001.
Accomplishment of this replacement ends the requirements in
paragraph (a) of this AD.
Part Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane an ELAC having a part number listed in the ``Old
Part Number'' column in the table specified in paragraph 2.C.,
``List of Components,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1135,
dated June 29, 2001.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this
AD.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per
AD 2001-08-26, amendment 39-12203, are approved as alternative
methods of compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) Unless otherwise provided in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1135, dated
June 29, 2001. 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2001-508(B), dated October 17, 2001.
Effective Date
(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 22, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31060 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P