[Federal Register: July 5, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 127)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38580-38582]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jy05-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20755; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-244-AD;
Amendment 39-14176; AD 2005-13-39]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A321-100 and -200 Series
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 Airbus Model A321 series airplanes. That AD
currently requires revising the Limitations section of the airplane
flight manual to include an instruction to use Flap 3 for landing when
performing an approach in conditions of moderate to severe icing,
significant crosswind (i.e., crosswinds greater than 20 knots, gust
included), or moderate to severe turbulence. This new AD requires
replacing existing elevator and aileron computers (ELACs) with ELACs
having either L83 or L91 software, as applicable, which terminates the
requirements of the existing AD. This AD also requires a related
concurrent action. In addition, this AD revises the applicability by
removing airplanes with these ELAC software standards incorporated in
production. This AD is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a civil airworthiness authority. We are
issuing this AD to prevent roll oscillations during approach and
landing in certain icing, crosswind, and turbulent conditions, which
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 9, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August
9, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. 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 U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20755; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-244-AD.
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: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD to supersede AD 2004-03-02, amendment 39-13446 (69 FR 5007,
February 3, 2004). The existing AD applies to all Airbus Model A321
series airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal Register
on March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16167), to require revising the airplane
flight manual (AFM) to specify procedures for landing under certain
conditions of icing, significant crosswind, or moderate to severe
turbulence, until the new requirements of this new AD have been
accomplished. That action also proposed to require replacing existing
elevator and aileron computers (ELACs) with ELACs having either L83 or
L91 software, as applicable, which would terminate the requirements of
the existing AD. That action also proposed to require a related
concurrent action. In addition, that action also proposed to revise the
applicability by removing airplanes with these ELAC software standards
incorporated in production.
Comment
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been
submitted on the proposed AD.
Support for the Proposed AD
The commenter supports the proposed AD.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
We have revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate
data sheet for the affected models.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD with the change described
previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
The following tables provide the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hour Average labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplane airplanes
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AFM revision (required by AD 2004-03-02). 1 $65 None......................... $65 29 $1,885
Installation of ELACs having L83 or L91 1 65 No charge.................... 65 29 1,885
software (new required action).
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[[Page 38581]]
Estimated Concurrent Service Bulletin Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hour Average labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplane airplanes
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Installation or ELACs having L81 software 1 $65 No charge.................... $65 29 $1,885
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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 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. 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing amendment 39-13446 (69 FR
5007, February 3, 2004) and adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2005-13-39 Airbus: Amendment 39-14176. Docket No. FAA-2005-20755;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-244--AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective August 9, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-03-02, amendment 39-13446.
Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A321-111, -
112, -131, -211, and -231 airplanes; certificated in any category;
except those with Airbus Modification 34043 installed in production.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a civil airworthiness authority. We are
issuing this AD to prevent roll oscillations during approach and
landing in certain icing, crosswind, and turbulent conditions, which
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
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.
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2004-03-02: Airplane Flight Manual
Revision
(f) Within 10 days after February 18, 2004 (the effective date
of AD 2004-03-02), revise the Limitations section of the airplane
flight manual (AFM) to include the following statement. This may be
done by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
``A321 Approach and Landing (Roll Control) When moderate to
severe icing conditions, or significant crosswind (i.e., crosswinds
greater than 20 knots, gust included), or moderate to severe
turbulence are anticipated:
Use FLAP 3 for landing.''
Note 1: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (f) of
this AD has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the
general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this
AD may be removed from the AFM.
New Requirements of This AD: Installation of Elevator and Aileron
Computers (ELACs) Having L83 or L91 Software
(g) Within 16 months after the effective date of this AD:
Replace existing ELACs with ELACs having L83 software, by
accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1151, including
Appendix 01, dated March 9, 2004; or with ELACs having L91 software,
by accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1152, including
Appendix 01, dated June 4, 2004; as applicable. After accomplishing
the ELAC replacements, remove the AFM revision required by paragraph
(f) of this AD. Accomplishing the requirements of this paragraph
terminates the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1151 refers to Thales
Service Bulletin 394512-27-026, dated March 5, 2004, as an
additional source of service information for installing ELAC L83
software. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1152 refers to Thales
Service Bulletin 394512B-27-010, dated May 24, 2004, as an
additional source of service information for installing ELAC L91
software.
Concurrent Service Bulletin
(h) Prior to doing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD:
Install ELACs having L81 software in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1135,
Revision 02, dated April 18, 2002.
Previously Accomplished Actions in Concurrent Service Bulletin
(i) Installation of ELACs having L81 software in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1135, dated June 29, 2001; or Service Bulletin A320-27-1135,
Revision 01, dated August 31, 2001; is acceptable for compliance
with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD.
Part Installation
(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane an ELAC, part number 3945122506, 3945123506,
3945128102, or 3945128103.
[[Page 38582]]
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) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in
accordance with AD 2004-03-02, are approved as alternative methods
of compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.
Related Information
(l) French airworthiness directive F-2004-147, dated August 18,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use the service information listed in Table 1 of
this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless
the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register
approves the incorporation by reference of these documents in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of
the service information, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to
the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington,
DC. To review copies of the service information, go to the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or
go to http://www.archives.gov/ federal--register/ code--of--
federal--regulations/ ibr--locations.html.
Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Airbus service bulletin Revision level Date
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A320-27-1135............................ 02............................. April 18, 2002.
A320-27-1151, including Appendix 01..... Original....................... March 9, 2004.
A320-27-1152, including Appendix 01..... Original....................... June 4, 2004.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 17, 2005.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12843 Filed 7-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P