This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of

new books are listed in the first FEDERAL

REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

24829 

Vol. 77, No. 81 

Thursday, April 26, 2012 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1323; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–212–AD; Amendment 

39–17018; AD 2012–08–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Model A330–200 and –300 series 

airplanes; Model A330–223F and –243F 

airplanes; and Model A340–200, –300, 

–500, and –600 series airplanes. This 

AD was prompted by a report that 

during the evaluation of engine failures 

at take-off on Airbus flight simulators, it 

has been shown that with flight control 

primary computer (FCPC) 1 inoperative, 

in worst case scenario when FCPC2 and 

FCPC3 resets occur during rotation at 

take off, a transient loss of elevator 

control associated with a temporary 

incorrect flight control law 

reconfiguration could occur. This AD 

requires revising the Limitations section 

of the applicable airplane flight manual. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent 

movement of the elevators to zero 

position, which could result in inducing 

a pitch down movement instead of a 

pitch up movement needed for lift off, 

resulting in loss of controllability of the 

airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 

31, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1138; fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on December 22, 2011 (76 FR 

79560). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

On A330/A340 aeroplanes, the Flight 

Control Primary Computer 2 (FCPC2) and 

FCPC3 are supplied with power from the 2PP 

bus bar. Electrical transients on the 2PP bus 

bar occur, in particular during engine n.2 

failure on A330 aeroplanes or engine n.3 

failure on A340 aeroplanes. Such electrical 

transients lead to a FCPC2 reset. FCPC3 reset 

does not occur thanks to the introduction of 

second electrical power supply to FCPC3 

from 1PP bus bar associated to the Electrical 

Contactor Management Unit (ECMU) 

standard 5. 

During the evaluation of specific engine 

failure cases at take-off on Airbus flight 

simulators, it has been evidenced that with 

FCPC1 inoperative, in the worst case, when 

FCPC2 and FCPC3 resets occur during 

rotation at take off, a transient loss of elevator 

control associated with a temporary incorrect 

flight control law reconfiguration could 

occur. This condition leads to a movement of 

the elevators to the zero position, which 

induces a pitch down movement instead of 

a pitch up movement needed to lift off. In 

addition, it leads to a limitation of the pilot 

control on pitch axis and limits the pilot 

capacity to counter the pitch down 

movement during this flight phase, which 

constitutes an unsafe condition. 

To prevent such condition, [EASA] 

Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) 

2008–0010–E was issued to prohibit 

aeroplanes dispatch with FCPC1 inoperative 

(from GO to NO–GO) for certain aeroplane 

configurations. For other configurations, 

dispatch is allowed when the integrity of the 

FCPC3 second electrical power supply is 

ensured. 

EASA AD 2008–0010R1 was issued to: 

—For A340–500/–600, alleviate the dispatch 

restriction on aeroplanes fitted with new 

FCPC Standard W11 (part number (P/N) 

LA2K2B100GA0000) 

and 

—For A330 and A340–200/–300, to take into 

account the possibility to embody in 

service a new FCPC3 second electrical 

power supply equivalent to the production 

one. 

This [EASA] AD, which supersedes EASA 

AD 2008–0010R1 retaining its requirements, 

is issued to extend the applicability to the 

newly certified models A330–223F and 

A330–243F. 

The FAA did not issue corresponding 

ADs for EASA Airworthiness Directive 

2008–0010–E and EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2008–0010R1 since it was 

determined at that time that the FAA 

Master Minimum Equipment List 

(MMEL) was an acceptable method for 

controlling exposure of the U.S. fleet to 

the safety issue addressed in the EASA 

ADs. Since that decision was made, the 

FAA determined that an AD is needed 

to control dispatch restrictions. In 

addition, EASA Airworthiness Directive 

2010–0109, dated June 28, 2010, added 

two new Airbus models in the 

applicability and we are proceeding 

with this FAA AD in order to address 

the identified unsafe condition for the 

U.S. fleet. You may obtain further 

information by examining the MCAI in 

the AD docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

considered the comment received. The 

commenter, Air Line Pilots Association, 

International, supports the NPRM (76 

FR 79560, December 22, 2011). 

Explanation of Changes Made to This 

AD 

We have made the following changes 

to this AD: 

• Redesignated Note 2 to paragraph 

(g) of the NPRM (76 FR 79560, 

December 22, 2011) as paragraph (g)(4) 

of this AD, and redesignated subsequent 

notes accordingly. 

• Redesignated paragraph (h) of the 

NPRM (76 FR 79560, December 22, 

2011) as paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. 

• Redesignated Note 3 to paragraph 

(h) of the NPRM (76 FR 79560, 

December 22, 2011) as paragraph (h)(2) 

of this AD. 

• Updated paragraph reference in 

paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. 

• Updated paragraph references in 

Note 2 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

24830 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 81 / Thursday, April 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the changes described previously— 

except for minor editorial changes. We 

have determined that these changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 

79560, December 22, 2011) for 

correcting the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 79560, 

December 22, 2011). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

55 products of U.S. registry. We also 

estimate that it will take about 1 workhour per product to comply with the 

basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to 

be $4,675 or $85 per product. 

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 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 this AD: 

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); 

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in 

Alaska; and 

4. 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains the NPRM (76 FR 79560, 

December 22, 2011), the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

2012–08–02 Airbus: Amendment 39–17018. 

Docket No. FAA–2011–1323; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–212–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective May 31, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330– 

201, –202, –203, –223, –223F, –243, –243F, 

–301, –302, –303, –321, –322, –323, –341, 

–342, and –343 airplanes; and Model A340– 

211, –212, –213, –311, –312, –313, –541, and 

–642 airplanes; certificated in any category; 

all serial numbers. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27: Flight Controls. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report that 

during the evaluation of engine failures at 

take-off on Airbus flight simulators, it has 

been shown that with flight control primary 

computer (FCPC) 1 inoperative, in worst case 

scenario when FCPC2 and FCPC3 resets 

occur during rotation at take off, a transient 

loss of elevator control associated with a 

temporary incorrect flight control law 

reconfiguration could occur. We are issuing 

this AD to prevent movement of the elevators 

to zero position, which could result in 

inducing a pitch down movement instead of 

a pitch up movement needed for lift off, 

resulting in loss of controllability of the 

airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for having the actions 

required by this AD performed within the 

compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

(g) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision 

for Certain Airplanes 

For airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of 

this AD, except for airplanes identified in 

paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD: 

Within 30 days after the effective date of this 

AD, revise the Limitations section of the 

applicable AFM to include the following 

statement. This may be done by inserting a 

copy of this AD into the AFM. 

Dispatch with the FCPC ‘‘PRIM 1’’ 

inoperative is prohibited. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: When 

a statement identical to that in paragraph (g) 

of this AD has been included in the general 

revisions of the AFM, the general revisions 

may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy 

of this AD may be removed from the AFM. 

(1) Model A330–223F and –243F airplanes. 

(2) Model A330–200 and –300 series 

airplanes, and Model A340–200 and –300 

series airplanes, on which Airbus 

modification 44385 has been embodied either 

in production or in service by Airbus Service 

Bulletin A330–27–3159 or Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–27–4158; and on which 

Airbus modification 44431 has been 

embodied either in production or in service 

by Airbus Service Bulletin A330–24–3011 or 

Airbus Service Bulletin A340–24–4019. 

(3) Model A340–500 and –600 series 

airplanes on which Airbus modification 

57698 has been embodied either in 

production or in service by Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–27–5046. 

(4) This dispatch restriction applies 

primarily to Model A330–200 and –300 

series airplanes, and Model A340–200 and 

–300 series airplanes, which have embodied 

Airbus Service Bulletin A330–27–3040 or 

Airbus Service Bulletin A340–27–4046 in 

service. 

(h) AFM Revision for Certain Other 

Airplanes 

(1) For Model A330–200 and –300 series 

airplanes, and Model A340–200 and –300 

series airplanes, on which Airbus 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 81 / Thursday, April 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 24831 

modification 44385 has been embodied either 

in production or in service by Airbus Service 

Bulletin A330–27–3159 or Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–27–4158; and Airbus 

modification 44431 has been embodied either 

in production or in service by Airbus Service 

Bulletin A330–24–3011 or Airbus Service 

Bulletin A340–24–4019: Within 30 days after 

the effective date of this AD, revise the 

Limitations section of the applicable AFM to 

include the following statement. This may be 

done by inserting a copy of this AD into the 

AFM. 

Dispatch with the FCPC ‘‘PRIM 1’’ 

inoperative is allowed provided that the 

operational test of the FCPC3 second 

electrical power supply is successfully 

performed, in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus AOT A330–27A3158, 

or AOT A340–27A4157, as applicable, before 

the first flight of the MMEL interval. 

If the test is not successful, repair in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

AOT A330–27A3158 or AOT A340–27A4157, 

as applicable, before dispatch with FCPC 

‘‘PRIM 1’’ inoperative. 

Note 2 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD: 

When a statement identical to that in 

paragraph (h)(1) of this AD has been included 

in the general revisions of the AFM, the 

general revisions may be inserted into the 

AFM, and the copy of this AD may be 

removed from the AFM. 

(2) Model A330–223F and –243F airplanes 

are not affected by paragraph (h) of this AD. 

(i) AFM Revision for Model A330–223F and 

A330–243F Airplanes 

For Model A330–223F and A330–243F 

airplanes: Within 30 days after the effective 

date of this AD, revise the Limitations section 

of the AFM to include the following 

statement. This may be done by inserting a 

copy of this AD into the AFM. 

Dispatch with the FCPC ‘‘PRIM 1’’ 

inoperative is allowed provided that the 

operational test of the FCPC3 second 

electrical power supply is successfully 

performed, in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus AOT A330–27A3158, 

before the first flight of the MMEL interval. 

If the test is not successful, repair in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

AOT A330–27A3158, before dispatch with 

FCPC ‘‘PRIM 1’’ inoperative. 

Note 3 to paragraph (i) of this AD: When 

a statement identical to that in paragraph (i) 

of this AD has been included in the general 

revisions of the AFM, the general revisions 

may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy 

of this AD may be removed from the AFM. 

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 227–1138; fax (425) 

227–1149. Information may be emailed to: 9- 

ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(k) Related Information 

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety 

Agency Airworthiness Directive 2010–0109, 

dated June 28, 2010, for related information. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5, 

2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–10029 Filed 4–25–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0110; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–148–AD; Amendment 

39–17034; AD 2012–08–17] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 737–100, 

–200, –200C, –300, –400, and –500 

series airplanes equipped with analog 

transient suppression devices (ATSDs) 

installed in accordance with 

Supplemental Type Certificate 

ST00146BO. This AD was prompted by 

multiple reports of corrosion on ATSDs. 

This AD requires revising the 

maintenance program to incorporate 

certain limitations. We are issuing this 

AD to detect and correct corrosion on 

ATSDs, which could result in the loss 

of high voltage transient protection (e.g., 

lightning protection) in the fuel tanks 

and consequent fuel tank explosion and 

loss of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective May 31, 

2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of May 31, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Goodrich 

Corporation, Sensors and Integrated 

Systems, 100 Panton Road, Vergennes, 

Vermont 05491; phone: 802–877–4580; 

fax: 802–877–4444; email: 

les.blades@goodrich.com; Internet: 

http://www.goodrich.com. You may 

review copies of the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, Washington. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Management Facility between 

9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, 

DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marc Ronell, Aerospace Engineer, 

Engine and Propeller Directorate, ANE– 

150, FAA, New England Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), 12 New 

England Executive Park, Burlington, 

Massachusetts 01803; phone: 781–238– 

7776; fax: 781–238–7170; email: 

marc.ronell@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on February 9, 2012 (77 FR 

6692). That NPRM proposed to require 

revising the maintenance program to 

incorporate certain limitations. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM (77 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES