Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-54-AD; Amendment 39-8905; AD 94-09-16]

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that

is applicable to certain Model A300-600 series airplanes. This action

requires replacement of certain Feel and Limitation Computers (FLC)

with modified FLC's. This amendment is prompted by reports that the

elevator control on several in-service airplanes operated with

stiffness. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent

stiff operation of the elevator control and undetected loss of the

rudder travel limitation function, which may adversely affect

controllability of the airplane.

Effective DATES: May 20, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of May 20, 1994.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before July 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-54-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,

Washington 98055-4056.

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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)

227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction General de l'Aviation Civile

(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently

notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus

Model A300-600 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that operators of

Model A300-600 series airplanes reported that the elevator control on

several in-service airplanes operated with stiffness. Investigation

into the cause of this stiffness revealed that the Feel and Limitation

Computer (FLC) may be detecting spurious low voltage. This condition,

if not corrected, could result in stiff operation of the elevator

control and undetected loss of the rudder travel limitation function,

which may adversely affect controllability of the airplane.

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September

15, 1993, that describes procedures for replacement of certain FLC's

with modified FLC's. These replacement FLC's have been modified in

accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 35-900-27-013, dated

September 29, 1993 (for FLC's having part number 35-900-2000-200), or

Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 35-900-27-012, dated September 29, 1993

(for FLC's having part number 35-900-2000-201). The Aerospatiale

service bulletins describe procedures for adjustment of the

``UNDERVOLTAGE DETECTION'' signal with new values to preclude stiff

operation of the elevator control. The DGAC classified the Airbus

service bulletin as mandatory and issued French Airworthiness Directive

94-046-156(B), dated February 16, 1994, in order to assure the

continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France. -

This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable

bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral

airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the

situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the

DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action

is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for

operation in the United States.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered

in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent stiff

operation of the elevator control and undetected loss of rudder travel

limitation function, which may adversely affect controllability of the

airplane. This AD requires replacement of certain FLC's with modified

FLC's. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with

the Airbus service bulletin described previously.

Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of

this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior

public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for

making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves

requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by

notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on

this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.

Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted

in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments will

be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the

AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be

available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the

Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that

summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this

AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 94-NM-54-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency

regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe

condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''

under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this

action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies

and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined

that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will

be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-09-16 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8905. Docket 94-NM-54-AD.

Applicability: Model A300-600 series airplanes, as listed in

Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15,

1993; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent stiff operation of the elevator control and

undetected loss of the rudder travel limitation function, which may

adversely affect controllability of the airplane, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, replace

Feel and Limitation Computers (FLC), having part number (P/N) 35-

900-2000-200 or 35-900-2000-201, serial numbers 755 and subsequent,

with an FLC that has been previously modified, in accordance with

Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 1993. -

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall

install, on any airplane, an FLC, P/N 35-900-2000-200 or 35-900-

2000-201, that has not been previously modified in accordance with

Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 1993.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the

airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be

accomplished.

(e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus

Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15, 1993. 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 20, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 26, 1994.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-10509 Filed 5-4-94; 8:45 am]

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