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

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Rules and Regulations Federal Register

58251

Vol. 69, No. 189

Thursday, September 30, 2004

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2004–19183; Directorate 

Identifier 2004–NM–158–AD; Amendment 

39–13810; AD 2004–20–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series 

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 

A321 series airplanes. This AD requires 

revising the airplane flight manual to 

provide procedures for the flightcrew to 

follow in the event of the loss of all 

liquid crystal display (LCD) units on 

airplanes equipped with a certain EIS2 

standard of electronic instrument 

system. This AD is prompted by reports 

of the brief but total loss of all LCD units 

during cruise on airplanes equipped 

with that standard of electronic 

instrument system. We are issuing this 

AD to provide procedures to the 

flightcrew to restore operation of these 

LCD units and prevent prolonged loss of 

critical flight information to the 

flightcrew and the consequent reduced 

ability of the flightcrew to control the 

airplane during adverse flight 

conditions.

DATES: Effective October 15, 2004. 

The incorporation by reference of a 

certain publication listed in the AD is 

approved by the Director of the Federal 

Register as of October 15, 2004. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by November 29, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to submit comments on this 

AD. 

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to

http://dms.dot.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments 

electronically. 

• Government-wide rulemaking Web 

site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov

and follow the instructions for sending 

your comments electronically. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility; 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 

Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, 

room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on 

the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 

400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, 

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point 

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 

France. You can examine this 

information at the National Archives 

and Records Administration (NARA). 

For information on the availability of 

this material at NARA, call (202) 741–

6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/

federal_register/

code_of_federal_regulations/

ibr_locations.html.

You can examine the contents of this 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility, U.S. Department 

of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street 

SW., room PL–401, on the plaza level of 

the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

The FAA has implemented new 

procedures for maintaining AD dockets 

electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new 

AD actions are posted on DMS and 

assigned a docket number. We track 

each action and assign a corresponding 

directorate identifier. The DMS AD 

docket number is in the form ‘‘Docket 

No. FAA–2004–99999.’’ The Transport 

Airplane Directorate identifier is in the 

form ‘‘Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–

999–AD.’’ Each DMS AD docket also 

lists the directorate identifier (‘‘Old 

Docket Number’’) as a cross-reference 

for searching purposes. 

Examining the Docket 

You can examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in 

person at the Docket Management 

Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. The Docket 

Management Facility office (telephone 

(800) 647–5227) is on the plaza level of 

the Nassif Building at the DOT street 

address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after the DMS receives 

them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical information: Tim Dulin, 

Aerospace Engineer, International 

Branch, ANM–116, FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2141; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

Plain language information: Marcia 

Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation Civile 

(DGAC), which is the airworthiness 

authority for France, notified the FAA 

that an unsafe condition may exist on 

certain Airbus Model A318, A319, 

A320, and A321 series airplanes. The 

DGAC advises that there have been 

several reports of total loss of all six 

liquid crystal display (LCD) units for the 

electronic instrument system (EIS) of a 

certain EIS2 standard during cruise for 

a short period of time. The flightcrew 

used the standby instruments, and the 

LCD units were eventually recovered. 

Subsequent investigation revealed that 

the three display management 

computers had received erroneous data 

from one LCD unit. Loss of all LCD 

units, if not corrected, could result in 

loss of critical flight information to the 

flightcrew and the reduced ability of the 

flightcrew to control the airplane during 

adverse operating conditions.

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued Temporary 

Revision (TR) 4.02.00/22, dated June 22, 

2004, to the A318/319/320/321 Airplane 

Flight Manual (AFM). The TR provides 

procedures for the flightcrew to follow 

in the event of the loss of all LCD units 

on airplanes equipped with a certain 

EIS2 standard of electronic instrument 

system. The DGAC mandated 

incorporation of the TR and issued 

French airworthiness directive F–2004–

104 R1, dated August 18, 2004, to 

ensure the continued airworthiness of 

these airplanes in France. 

The DGAC advises that a new EIS2 

standard, 4.2, has been developed to 

address the problems associated with 

58252 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 189 / Thursday, September 30, 2004 / Rules and Regulations 

loss of the LCD units. Airbus Service 

Bulletin A320–31A1220, dated July 2, 

2004 (reference Airbus Modification 

34571), describes procedures for 

installing EIS2 standard 4.2, which 

eliminates the need for the AFM 

revision described above. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This AD 

These airplane models are 

manufactured in France and are type 

certificated for operation in the United 

States under the provisions of § 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. We 

have examined the DGAC’s findings, 

evaluated all pertinent information, and 

determined that we need to issue an AD 

for products of this type design that are 

certificated for operation in the United 

States. 

Therefore, we are issuing this AD to 

provide procedures to the flightcrew to 

restore operation of these LCD units and 

prevent prolonged loss of critical flight 

information to the flightcrew and the 

consequent reduced ability of the 

flightcrew to control the airplane during 

adverse flight conditions. This AD 

requires incorporation of the TR 

described previously, unless the new 

EIS2 standard is installed. 

Differences Between FAA and DGAC 

Airworthiness Directives 

The DGAC airworthiness directive 

mandates changes to the master 

minimum equipment list (MMEL). But 

this (FAA) AD will not mandate those 

MMEL changes because the limits 

imposed by the FAA-approved MMEL 

meet or exceed those mandated by the 

French airworthiness directive. 

Although the DGAC airworthiness 

directive mandates the immediate 

incorporation of the TR’s operational 

limitations, this (FAA) AD would allow 

up to 10 days for compliance. We find 

that a 10-day compliance time will 

provide the time necessary for operators 

to accomplish the requirements of this 

AD without adversely affecting safety. 

Interim Action 

We consider this AD interim action. 

The DGAC is considering mandating the 

new EIS standard on those airplanes. 

We may consider further rulemaking at 

that time. 

FAA’s Determination of the Effective 

Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD; therefore, providing notice and 

opportunity for public comment before 

the AD is issued is impracticable, and 

good cause exists to make this AD 

effective in less than 30 days. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements that affect flight safety and 

was not preceded by notice and an 

opportunity for public comment; 

however, we invite you to submit any 

relevant written data, views, or 

arguments regarding this AD. Send your 

comments to an address listed under 

ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–

2004–19183; Directorate Identifier 

2004–NM–158–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of the AD. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date 

and may amend the AD in light of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http://

dms.dot.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. We will also 

post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact with FAA 

personnel concerning this AD. Using the 

search function of our docket web site, 

anyone can find and read the comments 

in any of our dockets, including the 

name of the individual who sent the 

comment (or signed the comment on 

behalf of an association, business, labor 

union, etc.). You can review the DOT’s 

complete Privacy Act Statement in the 

Federal Register published on April 11, 

2000 (65 FR 19477–78), or you can visit 

http://dms.dot.gov.

We are reviewing the writing style we 

currently use in regulatory documents. 

We are interested in your comments on 

whether the style of this document is 

clear, and your suggestions to improve 

the clarity of our communications with 

you. You can get more information 

about plain language at http://www/

faa.gov/language and http://

www.plainlanguage.gov.

Regulatory Findings 

We have 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 the 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. 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. See the ADDRESSES section for 

a location to examine the regulatory 

evaluation.

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 airworthiness 

directive (AD):

2004–20–05 Airbus: Amendment 39–13810. 

Docket No. FAA–2004–19183; 

Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–158–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This AD becomes effective October 15, 

2004. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to airplanes, 

certificated in any category, that are listed in 

Table 1 of this AD.

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 189 / Thursday, September 30, 2004 / Rules and Regulations 58253

TABLE 1.—APPLICABILITY

Airbus model— Modified by Airbus modification— Or Airbus service bulletin— 

A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes .. 30368 or 31495 ................................................ A320–31–1193, dated October 1, 2003; or 

A320–31A1198, dated July 11, 2003. 

Unsafe Condition 

(d) This AD was prompted by reports of the 

brief but total loss of all liquid crystal display 

(LCD) units during cruise on airplanes 

equipped with a certain EIS2 standard of 

electronic instrument system. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to provide procedures to the 

flightcrew to restore operation of these LCD 

units and prevent prolonged loss of critical 

flight information to the flightcrew and the 

consequent reduced ability of the flightcrew 

to control the airplane during adverse flight 

conditions. 

Compliance 

(e) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

AFM Revision 

(f) Within 10 days after the effective date 

of this AD, revise the Limitations section of 

the Airbus A318/319/320/321 Airplane 

Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of 

Temporary Revision (TR) 4.02.00/22, dated 

June 22, 2004, into the AFM. When the 

information in the TR is included in the 

general revisions of the AFM, the general 

revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and 

the TR may be removed from the AFM. 

EIS2 Standard 4.2 

(g) For airplanes on which EIS2 standard 

4.2 (Airbus Modification 34571) is installed, 

the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD 

do not apply. Airbus Service Bulletin A320–

31A1220, dated July 2, 2004, provides 

procedures for installing EIS2 standard 4.2 

on in-service airplanes. The TR required by 

paragraph (f) of this AD may be removed 

from the AFM if EIS2 standard 4.2 is later 

installed. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(h) The Manager, International Branch, 

ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 

for this AD, if requested in accordance with 

the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Related Information 

(i) French airworthiness directive F–2004–

104 R1, dated August 18, 2004, also 

addresses the subject of this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(j) You must use Airbus Temporary 

Revision 4.02.00/22, dated June 22, 2004, to 

the A318/319/320/321 Airplane Flight 

Manual, to perform the actions that are 

required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 

otherwise. The Director of the Federal 

Register approves the incorporation by 

reference of this document in accordance 

with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For 

copies of the service information, contact 

Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. You can 

review copies at the Docket Management 

Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 

400 Seventh Street SW., room PL–401, Nassif 

Building, Washington, DC; or at the National 

Archives and Records Administration 

(NARA). For information on the availability 

of this material at NARA, call (202) 741–

6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/

federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/

ibr_locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 20, 2004. 

Kalene C. Yanamura, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04–21651 Filed 9–29–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2004–19184; Directorate 

Identifier 2004–NM–159–AD; Amendment 

39–13811; AD 2004–20–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A330 and A340 series 

airplanes. This AD requires revising the 

airplane flight manual to provide 

procedures for the flightcrew to follow 

in the event of the loss of all liquid 

crystal display (LCD) units on airplanes 

equipped with the EIS2 standard of 

electronic instrument system. This AD 

is prompted by reports of the brief but 

total loss of all LCD units during cruise 

on airplanes equipped with the EIS2 

standard of electronic instrument 

system. We are issuing this AD to 

provide procedures to the flightcrew to 

restore operation of these LCD units and 

prevent prolonged loss of critical flight 

information to the flightcrew and the 

consequent reduced ability of the 

flightcrew to control the airplane during 

adverse flight conditions.

DATES: Effective October 15, 2004. 

The incorporation by reference of 

certain publications listed in the AD is 

approved by the Director of the Federal 

Register as of October 15, 2004. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by November 29, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to submit comments on this 

AD. 

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to

http://dms.dot.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments 

electronically. 

• Government-wide rulemaking Web 

site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov

and follow the instructions for sending 

your comments electronically. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility; 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 

Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, 

room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on 

the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 

400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, 

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point 

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 

France. You can examine this 

information at the National Archives 

and Records Administration (NARA). 

For information on the availability of 

this material at NARA, call (202) 741–

6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/

federal_register/

code_of_federal_regulations/

ibr_locations.html.

You can examine the contents of this 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility, U.S. Department 

of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street 

SW., room PL–401, on the plaza level of 

the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. 

Docket Management System (DMS) 

The FAA has implemented new 

procedures for maintaining AD dockets 

electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new 

AD actions are posted on DMS and 

assigned a docket number. We track 

each action and assign a corresponding 

directorate identifier. The DMS AD 

docket number is in the form ‘‘Docket 

No. FAA–2004–99999.’’ The Transport 

Airplane Directorate identifier is in the 

form ‘‘Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–

999–AD.’’ Each DMS AD docket also 

lists the directorate identifier (‘‘Old