Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-211 and -311 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-105-AD; Amendment 39-9000; AD 94-17-05]

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-211 and -311 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 Airbus Model A340-211 and -311 series

airplanes. This action requires replacement of certain circuit breakers

for the toilet system vacuum generator. This amendment is prompted by

reports of excessive vacuum generator overloads or blocked rotor

conditions, in which the thermal protection device and/or related

aircraft circuit breakers do not interrupt the power supply. The

actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent a fire in the

event of excessive current in the electrical circuit due to overheating

of the vacuum generator.

DATES: Effective on September 6, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of September 6, 1994.

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

before October 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

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

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-105-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 Generale 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 A340-211 and -311 series airplanes. The DGAC has advised that it

has received reports of electrical overloads in the toilet system

vacuum generator or blocked rotors, in which the temperature of the

vacuum generator motor increases faster than the detection capability

of the thermal protection device and/or the related aircraft circuit

breaker. In each case, these devices failed to interrupt the power

supply. This condition, if not corrected, could cause the vacuum

generator to overheat, which could result in a fire.

Airbus has issued All Operator Telex (AOT) 38-01, dated December

15, 1993, and Service Bulletin A340-38-4013, dated January 5, 1994,

which describe procedures for replacement of two circuit breakers for

the vacuum generator. Existing circuit breakers, 6 MG and 106 MG, are

replaced with faster (20 amp) circuit breakers to provide additional

protection in the event of excessive current in the electrical circuit

or overheat in the vacuum generator. The DGAC classified the AOT and

service bulletin as mandatory and issued French Airworthiness

Directive, 94-006-004(B)R1, dated February 2, 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

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. 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 a fire in the

vacuum generator. This AD requires replacement of two circuit breakers

for the vacuum generator with faster type circuit breakers which will

improve detection capability of the thermal protection device. The

actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the AOT or

service bulletin described previously.

There currently are no Model A340-211 or -311 series airplanes on

the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this

rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign

registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.

However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that

the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these

subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the

future.

Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would require approximately 7 work hours to

accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $55 per

work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD

would be $385 per airplane.

Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently

on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no

additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public

procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made

effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal

Register.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not

preceded by notice and 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 rule must submit a self-addressed,

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

to Docket Number 94-NM-105-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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 part 39 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. 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:

94-17-05 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9000. Docket 94-NM-105-AD. -

Applicability: Model A340-211 and 311 series airplanes, as

listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-38-4013, dated January 5,

1994; certificated in any category. -

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent a fire due to overheating of the toilet vacuum

generator, accomplish the following:

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

circuit breakers 6 MG and 106 MG, part number NSA 931302-25, in

panel 5005VE with faster circuit breakers (20 amp), part number NSA

931322-200, in accordance with either Airbus All Operator Telex

(AOT) 38-01, dated December 15, 1993, or Airbus Service Bulletin

A340-38-4013, dated January 5, 1994.

(b) 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.

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

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with either

Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 38-01, dated December 15, 1993, or

Airbus Service Bulletin A340-38-4013, dated January 5, 1994. 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on September 6, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 8, 1994.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-19699 Filed 8-19-94; 8:45 am]

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