[Federal Register: November 5, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 214)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64520-64522]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no04-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19537; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-145-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and
F4-600R Series Airplanes; and C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively
Called A300-600), and Model A310 Series Airplanes Equipped With Certain
Honeywell Inertial Reference Units (IRU)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series
airplanes; and C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-
600), and Model A310 series airplanes, equipped with certain Honeywell
inertial reference units (IRUs). This proposed AD would require
revising the Limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual to
prohibit the use of CAT 2 and CAT 3 automatic landing and rollout
procedures at certain airports. This proposed AD is prompted by a
report that some magnetic deviation tables in the IRU database are
obsolete and contain significant differences with the real magnetic
deviations. We are proposing this AD to prevent an airplane from
deviating from the runway centerline, and possibly departing the
runway.
[[Page 64521]]
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 6,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Dan Rodina,
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Docket Management System (DMS)
The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19537;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-145-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.Examining
the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and
F4-600R series airplanes; and C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively
called A300-600), and Model A310 series airplanes, equipped with
certain Honeywell inertial reference units (IRUs). The DGAC advises
that the magnetic variation table, which is implemented in certain
Honeywell IRUs, is obsolete in certain airports. Studies have shown
that for a given airport, a difference greater than two degrees between
the real magnetic deviation and the one implemented in the IRUs could
lead to an unsafe situation during CAT 2 or CAT 3 automatic landings
and rollouts. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the
airplane deviating from the runway centerline and possibly departing
the runway.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Temporary Revisions (TRs) 6.01.03/08 (for Model
A300-600 series airplanes) and 6.01.03/36 (for Model A310 series
airplanes), both dated January 6, 2003. The TRs give a list of airports
concerned and a date from which automatic landings (AUTOLAND) and
automatic taxiing after touchdown (rollout) procedures are prohibited.
The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French
airworthiness directive F-2004-093, issued June 23, 2004, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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. We have examined the DGAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require revising
the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to prohibit
the use of CAT 2 and CAT 3 automatic landing and rollout procedures at
certain airports. The proposed AD would require you to use the service
information described previously to perform these actions. After
accomplishing the replacement of the Honeywell IRU required by AD 2003-
20-01, amendment 39-13319 (68 FR 55814, September 29, 2003), the AFM
revision may be removed.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 136 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed AFM revision would take
[[Page 64522]]
about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per
work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed
AD for U.S. operators is $8,840, or $65 per airplane.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 proposed AD. 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2004-19537; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
145-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by December 6, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus airplanes, certificated in any
category; as listed in Table 1:
Table 1.--Applicability
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Equipped with any
Honeywell Excluding
airplanes inertial airplanes modified
Model-- reference unit in accordance
(IRU) having part with--
number--
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A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4- HG1050BD01, Airbus
600R series airplanes; and C4- HG1050BD02, or modification
605R Variant F airplanes HG1050BD05. 12304 in
(collectively called A300-600). production.
A310 series airplanes........... HG1050BD01, Airbus
HG1050BD02, or modification in
HG1050BD05. production.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report that some magnetic
deviation tables in the IRU database are obsolete and contain
significant differences with the real magnetic deviations. We are
issuing this AD to prevent an airplane from deviating from the
runway centerline, and possibly departing the runway.
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.
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision
(f) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations section of the AFM by inserting a copy of the
applicable Airbus Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision listed
in Table 2 of this AD into the AFM.
Note 1: When Airbus includes these TRs in general revisions of
the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided
the relevant information in the general revision is identical to
that in TRs 6.01.03/08 and 6.01.03/36.
Table 2.--AFM TRs
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Model-- Airbus-- Dated--
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(1) A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4- A300-600 Flight February 9, 2003.
600R series airplanes; and C4- Manual TR 6.01.03/
605R Variant F airplanes 08.
(collectively called A300-600).
(2) A310 series airplanes....... A310 Flight Manual February 9, 2003.
TR6.01.03/36.
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Terminating Action
(g) After replacing the Honeywell inertial reference units
(IRUs) with new or modified Honeywell IRUs in accordance with the
requirements of AD 2003-20-01, amendment 39-13319 (68 FR 55814), the
AFM revision required by paragraph (f) of this AD may be removed.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19.
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-093 (B), issued June
23, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 28, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24725 Filed 11-4-04; 8:45 am]
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