Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A300, A300-600, A310, and A320 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-227-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A300, A300-600,

A310, and A320 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model

A300, A300-600, A310, and A320 series airplanes. This proposal would

require that certain landing gear brakes be inspected for wear and

replaced if the wear limits prescribed in this proposal are not met,

and that the specified wear limits be incorporated into the FAA-

approved maintenance inspection program. This proposal is prompted by

an accident in which a transport category airplane executed a rejected

takeoff (RTO) and was unable to stop on the runway due to worn brakes;

and the subsequent review of allowable brake wear limits for all

transport category airplanes. The actions specified by the proposed AD

are intended to prevent the loss of brake effectiveness during a high

energy RTO.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

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

Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-227-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Quam, Aerospace Engineer,

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

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

227-2145; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited -

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed 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 above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received. -

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal 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 93-NM-227-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs -

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 93-NM-227-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion -

In 1988, a McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplane was

involved in an aborted takeoff accident in which eight of the ten

brakes failed and the airplane ran off the end of the runway.

Investigation revealed that there were failed pistons on each of the

eight brakes, with O-rings damaged by over-extension due to extensive

wear. Fluid leaking from the damaged pistons caused the hydraulic fuses

to close, releasing all brake pressure. -

This accident prompted a review of allowable wear limits for all

brakes installed on transport category airplanes. The FAA and the

Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) jointly developed a set of

dynamometer test guidelines that could be used to validate appropriate

wear limits for all airplane brakes. It should be noted that this worn

brake accountability determination validates brake wear limits with

respect to brake energy capacity only and is not meant to account for

any reduction in brake force due solely to the wear state of the brake.

The guidelines for validating brake wear limits allow credit for use of

reverse thrust with a critical engine inoperative to determine the

energy level absorbed by the brake during the dynamometer test. -

The FAA has requested that airframe manufacturers of transport

category airplanes: (1) determine required adjustments in allowable

wear limits for all of its brakes in use, (2) schedule dynamometer

testing to validate wear limits as necessary, and (3) submit

information from items (1) and (2) to the FAA so that appropriate

rulemaking action(s) can be initiated. -

Airbus Industrie has conducted worn brake rejected takeoff (RTO)

dynamometer testing and analyses on various brakes installed on certain

Model A300, A300-600, A310, and A320 series airplanes. Based on the

results of that testing and analyses, the FAA has determined that the

maximum brake wear limits currently recommended in the Component

Maintenance Manual for Model A300, A300-600, A310, and A320 series

airplanes equipped with brakes manufactured by Messier-Bugatti,

BFGoodrich, Allied Signal (ALS) Aerospace Company (Bendix), or Aircraft

Braking Systems (ABS) are acceptable as they relate to the

effectiveness of the brakes during a high energy RTO. Consequently, the

FAA has determined that the brake wear limits for Model A300, A300-600,

A310, and A320 series airplanes must be incorporated into the FAA-

approved maintenance inspection program. -

The FAA has determined that, in order to prevent loss of brake

effectiveness during a high energy RTO, the following maximum brake

wear limits are necessary for Model A300, A300-600, A310, and A320

series airplanes equipped with Messier-Bugatti, BFGoodrich, ALS

Aerospace Company (Bendix), or ABS brakes.

Airbus Industrie Model A300, A300-600, A310, And A320 Series Airplanes Equipped With Messier-Bugatti, BFGoodrich, Allied Signal (ALS) Aerospace Company

(Bendix), or Aircraft Braking Systems (ABS) Brakes

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Airplane model/series Brake manufacturer Brake part No. Maximum brake wear limit (inch/mm)

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A300-B2-100-............................ Messier-Bugatti........................ 286349-115 0.98'' (25.0 mm).

A300-B2-100............................. Messier-Bugatti........................ 286349-116-- 0.98'' (25.0 mm).

A300-B2-100-............................ BFGoodrich-............................ 2-1449-- 1.4'' (35.6 mm).

A300-B2-100-............................ BFGoodrich-............................ 2-1449-- 1.1'' (27.9 mm) S.C.\1\

A300-B4-100-............................ Messier-Bugatti........................ A21329-41-7-- 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A300-B4-100-............................ Messier-Bugatti........................ A21329-41-17- 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A300-B4-100-............................ ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606802-3/-4/-5- 0.9'' (22.9 mm).

A300-B4-100-............................ ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606802-3/-4/-5- 1.48'' (37.6 mm) S.C.\1\

A300-B4-100-............................ BFGoodrich-............................ 2-1449-- 1.4'' (35.6 mm).

A300-B4-100-............................ BFGoodrich-............................ 2-1449-- 1.1'' (27.9 mm) S.C.\1\----------

A300-B4-200 & A300-600.................. Messier-Bugatti........................ C20060-100 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A300-B4-200 & A300-600.................. ALS (Bendix)........................... 2607932-1 0.9'' (22.9 mm).

A300-B4-200 & A300-600.................. ALS (Bendix)........................... 2607932-1 1.48'' (37.6 mm) S.C.\1\

A300-B4-600R............................ Messier-Bugatti........................ C20210000- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A300-B4-600R............................ Messier-Bugatti........................ C20210200- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A310-200................................ Messier-Bugatti........................ C20089000 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A310-200-............................... ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606822-1- 1.26'' (32.0 mm).

A310-200-............................... ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606822-1- 1.5'' (38.2 mm) S.C.\1\

A310-300 -.............................. Messier-Bugatti........................ C20194000- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A310-300-............................... Messier-Bugatti........................ C20194200- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A310-300-............................... ABS--.................................. 5010995- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320-................................... Messier-Bugatti........................ C20225000- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320-................................... Messier-Bugatti........................ C20225200- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320-220-............................... BFGoodrich-............................ 2-1526-2- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320-200-............................... BFGoodrich-............................ 2-1526-3/-4 2.68'' (68.0 mm).

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S.C. represents ``Service Configured'' brakes, which are marked according to the instructions provided in the brake manufacturer's Component Maintenance

Manual.

These airplanes are manufactured in France and are 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. The FAA has 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, the proposed AD would require that certain

landing gear brakes be inspected for wear and replaced if the wear

limits prescribed in this proposal are not met, and that the specified

wear limits be incorporated into the FAA-approved maintenance

inspection program.

The FAA estimates that 101 Model A300, A300-600, A310, and A320

series airplanes of U.S. registry and 5 U.S. operators would be

affected by this proposed AD. The FAA estimates that it would take

approximately 20 work hours per operator, at an average labor rate of

$55 per work hour, for each operator to incorporate the proposed

revision of its FAA-approved maintenance inspection program. The total

cost impact of that proposed requirement on U.S. operators of Model

A300, A300-600, A310, and A320 series airplanes is estimated to be

$5,500, or $1,100 per operator.

The FAA also estimates that it would take 15 work hours per

airplane, at an average labor rate of $55 per work hour, to accomplish

the proposed inspection. The cost of required parts to accomplish the

change in wear limits for these airplanes (that is, the cost resulting

from the requirement to change the brakes before they are worn to their

previously approved limits for a one-time change) would be

approximately $2,236 per airplane. The FAA estimates that 28 of the 101

affected airplanes of U.S. registry would be required to accomplish the

proposed inspection. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of

that proposed requirement on U.S. operators of these airplanes is

estimated to be $85,708, or $3,061 per airplane.

These total cost figures assume that no operator has yet

accomplished the requirements of this AD.

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules

Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 93-NM-227-AD.

Applicability: Model A300, A300-600, A310, and A320 series

airplanes equipped with Messier-Bugatti, BFGoodrich, Allied Signal

(ALS) Aerospace Company (Bendix), or Aircraft Braking Systems (ABS)

brakes; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent the loss of brake effectiveness during a high energy

rejected takeoff (RTO), accomplish the following:

(a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD,

accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.

(1) Inspect main landing gear brakes having the brake part

numbers listed below for wear. Any brake worn more than the maximum

wear limit specified below must be replaced, prior to further

flight, with a brake within that limit.

Airbus Industrie Model A300, A300-600, A310, and A320 Series Airplanes Equipped with Messier-Bugatti, BFGoodrich, Allied Signal (ALS) Aerospace Company

(Bendix), or Aircraft Braking Systems (ABS) Brakes

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Airplane model/series Brake manufacturer Brake part No. Maximum brake wear limit (inch/mm).

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A300-B2-100--........................... Messier-Bugatti-....................... 286349-115 0.98'' (25.0 mm).

A300-B2-100--........................... Messier-Bugatti-....................... 286349-116 0.98'' (25.0 mm).

A300-B2-100--........................... BFGoodrich--........................... 2-1449 1.4'' (35.6 mm).

A300-B2-100--........................... BFGoodrich--........................... 2-1449-- 1.1'' (27.9 mm). S.C.\1\

A300-B4-100--........................... Messier-Bugatti-....................... A21329-41-7-- 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A300-B4-100--........................... Messier-Bugatti-....................... A21329-41-17- 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A300-B4-100--........................... ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606802-3/-4/-5- 0.9'' (22.9 mm).

A300-B4-100--........................... ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606802-3/-4/-5- 1.48'' (37.6 mm). S.C.\1\----------

A300-B4-100--........................... BFGoodrich--........................... 2-1449-- 1.4'' (35.6 mm).

A300-B4-100--........................... BFGoodrich--........................... 2-1449-- 1.1'' (27.9 mm). S.C.\1\

A300-B4-200 & A300-600.................. Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20060-100-- 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A300-B4-200 & A300-600.................. ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2607932-1-- 0.9'' (22.9 mm).

A300-B4-200 & A300-600.................. ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2607932-1-- 1.48'' (37.6 mm). S.C.\1\

A300-B4-600R-........................... Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20210000-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A300-B4-600R-........................... Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20210200-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A310-200--.............................. Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20089000-- 1.1'' (28.0 mm).

A310-200--.............................. ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606822-1-- 1.26'' (32.0 mm).

A310-200--.............................. ALS (Bendix)-.......................... 2606822-1-- 1.5'' (38.2 mm). S.C.\1\

A310-300--.............................. Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20194000-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A310-300--.............................. Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20194200-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A310-300--.............................. ABS---................................. 5010995-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320---................................. Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20225000-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320---................................. Messier-Bugatti-....................... C20225200-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320-220--.............................. BFGoodrich--........................... 2-1526-2-- 1.97'' (50.0 mm).

A320-200--.............................. BFGoodrich--........................... 2-1526-3/-4- 2.68'' (68.0 mm).

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\1\S.C. represents ``Service Configured'' brakes, which are marked according to the instructions provided in the brake manufacturer's Component

Maintenance Manual.

Note 1: Measuring instructions that must be revised to

accommodate the new brake wear limits specified above can be found

in Chapter 32-42-27 of the Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), in

Chapter 32-32-( ) or 32-44-( ) of the brake manufacturer's Component

Maintenance Manual (CMM), or in certain service bulletins (SB), as

listed below:

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Date/revision (or later

Brake manufacturer Part No. Document/chapter revisions)

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For model A300-B2-100 series

airplanes:

Messier-Bugatti-............. 286349-115 CMM 32-42-27.............. April 1991.

Messier-Bugatti-............. 286349-116 CMM 32-42-27.............. April 1991.

BFGoodrich--................. 2-1449 & S.C.- CMM 32-44-37-............. January 1993.

........................ SB 567 (2-1449-32-4)...... January 30, 1993

For model A300-B4-100 series

airplanes:

ALS (Bendix)--............... 2606802-3-- CMM 32-42-02-............. September 1993.

2606802-4 SB 2606802-32-003......... March 31, 1993. ----

2606802-5 & S.C.

BFGoodrich................... 2-1449 & S.C. CMM 32-44-37.............. January 1993.

........................ SB 567 (2-1449-32-4)...... January 30, 1993.

For model A300-B4-200 and A300-

600 series airplanes:

ALS (Bendix)................. 2607932-1 & S.C. CMM 32-42-27.............. September 1993.

........................ SB 2607932-32-002......... March 31,1993 & Revision

1, dated October 1,

1993.

For model A300-B4-600R Series

Airplanes:

Messier-Bugatti-............. C20210000 & C20210200- Airbus SB 470-32-675...... April 6, 1990.

For model A310-200 series

airplanes:

ALS (Bendix)................. 2606822-1 & S.B. CMM 32-42-03.............. September 1993. ---- --

........................ SB 2606822-32-002......... March 31, 1993.

For model A310-300 Series

Airplanes:

Messier-Bugatti-............. C20225000 & C20225200-- Airbus SB 470-32-675...... April 6, 1990.

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---- -(2) Incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection

program the maximum brake wear limits specified in paragraph (a)(1) of

this AD.

(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 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 9, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-3461 Filed 2-14-94; 8:45 am]

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