[Federal Register: August 8, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 151)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45592-45595]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08au05-26]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22035; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-016-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (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 B2 and B4 series airplanes. This proposed AD
would require an inspection to determine the part number of all angle
of attack (AOA) sensors, and repetitive replacement of the AOA sensors
with new or overhauled AOA sensors if necessary. This proposed AD would
also provide an optional terminating action for the repetitive
replacements. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of several false
stall warnings associated with stick-shaker activation, occurring
during take-off. We are proposing this AD to prevent false stall
warnings associated with stick-shaker activation, which could result in
increased pilot workload as the pilot tries to determine the cause of
the stall warning and possible reduction in the pilot's ability to
control the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 7,
2005.
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.
[[Page 45593]]
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.
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.
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Include the docket number ``FAA-
2005-22035; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-016-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 received 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
that Web site, 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 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 B2 and B4
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received reports of
several false stall warnings associated with stick-shaker activation,
occurring during take-off. Investigation revealed that defective angle
of attack (AOA) sensors caused the false stall warnings. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in increased pilot workload
as the pilot tries to determine the cause of the stall warning and
possible reduction in the pilot's ability to control the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01, dated
February 3, 2004, which describes the following procedures:
Inspecting zone 120 to determine the part number (P/N) of
all three AOA sensors.
Repetitively replacing any Honeywell AOA sensor having P/N
965-4020-007 with a new or overhauled AOA sensor.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated
the service information and issued French airworthiness directive F-
2003-457 R1, dated December 22, 2004, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A300-34-0092, Revision 03,
dated November 2, 2004. Service Bulletin A300-34-0092 describes the
following procedures:
Replacing Honeywell ``pencil'' AOA sensors having P/N 965-
4020-007 with ``vane'' AOA sensors between frame (FR)18 and FR19.
Replacing the current detectors in relay boxes 252VU and
107VU with new current detectors.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0092 also specifies that
accomplishing the modification in that service bulletin cancels the
actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176.
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
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. 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
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between
the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01,
dated February 3,2004, describe procedures for reporting inspection
findings, this proposed AD would not require that action. We do not
need this information from operators.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators
to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Work Average Cost per U.S.-
Action hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Inspection.................. 1 $65 None........... $65 20 $1,300.
[[Page 45594]]
Replacement if necessary, 2 65 $3,300 ($1,100 3,430 20 $68,600 per
per replacement cycle. per sensor). replacement
cycle.
Optional terminating action. 7 65 $8,780......... 9,235 20 $184,700.
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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 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-2005-22035; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
016-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by September 7, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability: (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2-
1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, and B2-203 airplanes; and Model A300 B4-2C, B4-
103, and B4-203 airplanes; certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of several false stall
warnings associated with stick-shaker activation, occurring during
take-off. We are issuing this AD to prevent false stall warnings
associated with stick-shaker activation, which could result in
increased pilot workload as the pilot tries to determine the cause
of the stall warning and possible reduction in the pilot's ability
to control 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.
Inspection and Repetitive Replacement, if Necessary
(f) Within 4,500 flight hours or 36 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is first: Inspect zone 120 to determine
the part number of all three angle of attack (AOA) sensors, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2004. If no
Honeywell AOA sensor having part number (P/N) 965-4020-007 is found,
then no further action is required by this paragraph. If any
Honeywell AOA sensor having P/N 965-4020-007 is found, before
further flight, replace the AOA sensor with a new or overhauled AOA
sensor having P/N 965-4020-007, in accordance with the service
bulletin. Repeat the replacement thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 8,000 flight hours or 96 months, whichever is first.
Accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD
terminates the repetitive replacements.
Optional Terminating Action
(g) Replacement of all Honeywell AOA sensors having P/N 965-
4020-007 between frame (FR)18 and FR19 with ``vane type'' AOA
sensors; and replacement of the current detectors in relay boxes
252VU and 107VU with new current detectors; in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0092,
Revision 03, dated November 2, 2004; terminate the repetitive
replacements required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
No Reporting Requirement
(h) Although Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, Revision 01,
dated February 3, 2004, specifies to submit certain information to
the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
Parts Installation
(i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
an AOA sensor having P/N 965-4020-007 on any airplane, unless it is
new or overhauled and is repetitively inspected as required by
paragraph (f) of this AD.
Credit for Previously Accomplished Actions
(j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-0176, dated July 9,
2003, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.
Credit for Optional Terminating Action
(k) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-34-092, Revision 2,
dated July 18, 1985, are acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(l) 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.
[[Page 45595]]
Related Information
(m) French airworthiness directive F-2003-457 R1, dated December
22, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 2, 2005.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-15593 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
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