# Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-10509 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Uncategorized Document - **Published:** May 5, 1994 ## Text 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-10509. Public record. Not legal advice.