Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 15279 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference 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/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 

8, 2013. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–04224 Filed 3–8–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1106; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–084–AD; Amendment 

39–17341; AD 2013–03–06] 

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 

Airbus Model A330–200 Freighter, 

–200, and –300 series airplanes; and 

Model A340–200, –300, –500, and –600 

series airplanes. This AD was prompted 

by a report that erroneous height 

indication by one radio altimeter with 

engaged flare and retard mode, in case 

of go-around, might lead to a temporary 

loss of airplane longitudinal control. 

This AD requires revising the airplane 

flight manual. We are issuing this AD to 

ensure that the flightcrew applies the 

appropriate operational procedures in 

the event of an erroneous indication of 

the radio altimeter, which could result 

in temporary loss of airplane 

longitudinal control. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 

15, 2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of April 15, 2013. 

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 October 25, 2012 (77 FR 

65146). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 

states: 

Airbus performed tests to investigate the 

consequences of one radio altimeter 

providing an erroneous indication. 

These tests concluded that with engaged 

flare and retard mode, in case of go-around, 

the situation may lead to a temporary loss of 

aeroplane longitudinal control. 

To address this condition, Airbus issued a 

new Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 

operational procedure. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[European Aviation Safety Agency] AD 

requires amendment of the applicable AFM 

to ensure that the flight crew applies the 

appropriate operational procedures. 

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. Air 

Line Pilots Association, International, 

supported the NPRM (77 FR 65146, 

October 25, 2012). 

Explanation of Changes Made to This 

AD 

We have revised paragraph (g) and 

Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD to 

remove reference to inserting a copy of 

this AD into the AFM as a method of 

complying with the requirements of 

paragraph (g) of this AD. Inserting a 

copy of this AD into the AFM does not 

address the unsafe condition identified 

in this AD. This language was 

erroneously included in the NPRM (77 

FR 65146, October 25, 2012), and has, 

therefore, been removed from this AD. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the changes described previously— 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 

65146, October 25, 2012) for correcting 

the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 65146, 

October 25, 2012). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

64 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 $5,440, 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; 

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15280 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 47 / Monday, March 11, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

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 (77 FR 65146, 

October 25, 2012), 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: 

2013–03–06 Airbus: Amendment 39–17341. 

Docket No. FAA–2012–1106; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–084–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective April 15, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330– 

223F and –243F airplanes; Model A330–201, 

–202, –203, –223, –243, –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 manufacturer 

serial numbers. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 34, Navigation. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report that 

erroneous height indication by one radio 

altimeter with engaged flare and retard mode, 

in case of go-around, might lead to a 

temporary loss of airplane longitudinal 

control. We are issuing this AD to ensure that 

the flightcrew applies the appropriate 

operational procedures in the event of an 

erroneous indication of the radio altimeter, 

which could result in temporary loss of 

airplane longitudinal control. 

(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 

Within 30 days after the effective date of 

this AD, revise the applicable section of the 

Airbus A330/A340 AFM to include the 

information in Airbus Temporary Revision 

TR37, Issue 1.0, dated June 15, 2010; or 

Airbus Temporary Revision TR38, Issue 1.0, 

dated June 15, 2010; to the Airbus A330/ 

A340 AFM. This may be done by inserting 

Airbus Temporary Revision TR37, Issue 1.0, 

dated June 15, 2010; or Airbus Temporary 

Revision TR38, Issue 1.0, dated June 15, 

2010; in the AFM. 

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

the information in Airbus Temporary 

Revision TR37, Issue 1.0, dated June 15, 

2010; or Airbus Temporary Revision TR38, 

Issue 1.0, dated June 15, 2010; to the Airbus 

A330/A340 AFM has been included in the 

applicable section of the general revisions of 

the AFM, the general revisions may be 

inserted into the AFM, provided the relevant 

information in the general revisions is 

identical to that in Airbus Temporary 

Revision TR37, Issue 1.0, dated June 15, 

2010; or Airbus Temporary Revision TR38, 

Issue 1.0, dated June 15, 2010. 

(h) 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. 

(i) Related Information 

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety 

Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012–0069, 

dated April 24, 2012, and the service 

information specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and 

(i)(2) of this AD, for related information. 

(1) Airbus Temporary Revision TR37, Issue 

1.0, dated June 15, 2010, to the Airbus A330/ 

A340 AFM. 

(2) Airbus Temporary Revision TR38, Issue 

1.0, dated June 15, 2010, to the Airbus A330/ 

A340 AFM. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Temporary Revision TR37, Issue 

1.0, dated June 15, 2010, to the Airbus A330/ 

340 Airplane Flight Manual. 

(ii) Airbus Temporary Revision TR38, Issue 

1.0, dated June 15, 2010, to the Airbus A330/ 

340 Airplane Flight Manual. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS—Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

(4) You may review copies of the service 

information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA. For information on the availability of 

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

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference 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/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 

28, 2013. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–05193 Filed 3–8–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES