[Federal Register: September 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 177)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 54251-54253]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14se05-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20405; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-243-AD;
Amendment 39-14269; AD 2005-19-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-200 and -300 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD
requires revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate new
procedures for the flightcrew to follow to correct miscalculation of
the takeoff and accelerating or stopping distance of the airplane
during a ferry flight under certain conditions. This AD results from a
report that a software error could result in a miscalculation
(underestimation) of the runway length necessary for takeoff in the
case of a ferry flight with one engine not operating. We are issuing
this AD to prevent this miscalculation, which, if combined with high
takeoff weight, too-short runway length, and high altitude and
temperature of the airport, could result in inability of the flightcrew
to abort the takeoff in a safe manner, reduced controllability of the
airplane, and runway overrun.
DATES: Effective September 29, 2005.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 29,
2005.
We must receive comments on this AD by November 14, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this 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.
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 AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 A340-200 and -300
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during certification of Airbus
Model A340-600 series airplanes, an error in the Octopus software was
discovered. The software error results in a miscalculation
(underestimation) of the runway length necessary for takeoff in the
case of a ferry flight with one engine not operating. In this
situation, the takeoff procedure requires a progressive power setting
of the engine symmetrical to the failed or non-operational engine.
Investigation revealed that the calculations performed by the software
give the same thrusts in the transient system for the three operational
engines, resulting in an error in calculation of 650 meters (2,133
feet) for the takeoff and accelerate/stop distance. This condition, if
combined with high takeoff weight, too-short runway length, and high
altitude and temperature of the airport, could result in inability of
the flightcrew to abort the takeoff in a safe manner, reduced
controllability of the airplane, and runway overrun.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Temporary Revision (TR) 6.03.02/05, dated August
8, 2002, to the A340 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The TR describes
procedures for revising the limitations section (appendices and
supplements) of the AFM to provide procedures for the flightcrew to
follow to correct
[[Page 54252]]
miscalculation of the takeoff and accelerating or stopping distance of
the airplane during a ferry flight with one engine not operating. The
DGAC mandated the TR and issued French airworthiness directive 2002-
436(B), dated August 21, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 issuing this AD to prevent miscalculation of the
takeoff and accelerating or stopping distance of the airplane during
ferry flight takeoff performance. This miscalculation, if combined with
high takeoff weight, too-short runway length, and high altitude and
temperature of the airport, could result in inability of the flightcrew
to abort the takeoff in a safe manner, reduced controllability of the
airplane, and runway overrun. This AD requires revising the AFM to
incorporate new procedures for the flightcrew to follow to correct
miscalculation of the takeoff and accelerating or stopping distance of
the airplane during a ferry flight under certain conditions.
Costs of Compliance
None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future, the required AFM revision would take 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 AD would be $65 per airplane.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register.
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to the
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2005-20405; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-243-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that
might suggest a need to modify it.
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 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.
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 the 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
[[Page 54253]]
2005-19-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-14269. Docket No. FAA-2005-20405;
Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-243-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective September 29, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-211, -
212, and -213, and Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes,
certificated in any category; modified by Airbus modification 40647.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that a software error could
result in a miscalculation (underestimation) of the runway length
necessary for takeoff in the case of a ferry flight with one engine
not operating. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent this
miscalculation, which, if combined with high takeoff weight, too-
short runway length, and high altitude and temperature of the
airport, could result in inability of the flightcrew to abort the
takeoff in a safe manner, reduced controllability of the airplane,
and runway overrun.
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 Airbus A340 AFM to include the
information in Airbus Temporary Revision (TR) 6.03.02/05, dated
August 8, 2002, as specified in the TR. The TR includes procedures
for the flightcrew to follow to correct miscalculation of the
takeoff and accelerating or stopping distance of the airplane during
a ferry flight with one engine not operating.
Note 1: This may be done by inserting a copy of Airbus TR
6.03.02/05 in the AFM. When the TR has been included in the 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 Airbus TR 6.03.02/05.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) 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.
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive 2002-436(B), dated August 21,
2002, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Airbus Temporary Revision 6.03.02/05, dated
August 8, 2002, to the Airbus A340 Airplane Flight Manual, to
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this
service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 6, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18060 Filed 9-13-05; 8:45 am]
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