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

37241 

Vol. 76, No. 123 

Monday, June 27, 2011 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0573; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–082–AD; Amendment 

39–16734; AD 2011–13–11] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above that would 

supersede an existing AD. This AD 

results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: 

Some operators reported slow operation of 

the MLG [main landing gear] door opening/ 

closing sequence, leading to the generation of 

ECAM [Electronic Centralised Aircraft 

Monitoring] warnings during the landing gear 

retraction or extension sequence. 

* * * * * 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

prevent the full extension and/or 

downlocking of the MLG, possibly resulting 

in MLG collapse during landing or rollout 

and consequent damage to the aeroplane and 

injury to occupants. 

* * * * * 

After in-service introduction of the new 

MLG door actuator, P/N 114122012, several 

operators reported failures of internal parts of 

the MLG door actuator. Investigations 

confirmed that these failures could result in 

slow extension of the actuator rod, delaying 

the MLG Door operation, or possibly 

stopping just before the end of the stroke, 

preventing the door to reach the fully open 

position. 

* * * * * 

This AD requires actions that are 

intended to address the unsafe 

condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 

12, 2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of July 12, 2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain other publication, listed in 

the AD as of April 27, 2007 (72 FR 

13681, March 23, 2007). 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by August 11, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–40, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 

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

Friday, except Federal holidays. 

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 this AD, 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. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1405; fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On March 13, 2007, we issued AD 

2007–06–18, Amendment 39–14999 (72 

FR 13681, March 23, 2007). That AD 

required actions intended to address an 

unsafe condition on Airbus Model 

A318, A319, A320, and A321 Airplanes. 

Since we issued AD 2007–06–18, it 

has been determined that certain new 

actuators had failure of internal parts. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2011–0069, 

dated April 18, 2011 (referred to after 

this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe 

condition for the specified products. 

The MCAI states: 

Some operators reported slow operation of 

the [main landing gear] MLG door opening/ 

closing sequence, leading to the generation of 

ECAM [Electronic Centralised Aircraft 

Monitoring] warnings during the landing gear 

retraction or extension sequence. 

Investigations showed that the damping 

ring and associated retaining ring of the MLG 

door actuator deteriorate. The resultant 

debris increases the friction inside the 

actuator which can be sufficiently high to 

restrict opening of the MLG door by gravity, 

during operation of the landing gear alternate 

(free-fall) extension system. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

prevent the full extension and/or 

downlocking of the MLG, possibly resulting 

in MLG collapse during landing or rollout 

and consequent damage to the aeroplane and 

injury to occupants. 

EASA AD 2006–0112R1 was issued to 

require repetitive inspections of the opening 

sequence of the MLG door in order to 

identify the defective actuators [and 

replacement of any defective actuator with a 

new actuator], and to introduce as an 

optional terminating action Airbus 

production Modification 38274 and 

associated Service Bulletin (SB) A320–32– 

1338, which incorporate an improved 

retaining ring, located on the piston rod’s 

extension end, and a new piston rod with 

machined shoulder to accommodate the 

thicker section of the modified retaining ring. 

After in-service introduction of the new 

MLG door actuator, P/N 114122012, several 

operators reported failures of internal parts of 

the MLG door actuator. Investigations 

confirmed that these failures could result in 

slow extension of the actuator rod, delaying 

the MLG Door operation, or possibly 

stopping just before the end of the stroke, 

preventing the door to reach the fully open 

position. 

This new [EASA] AD, which supersedes 

EASA AD 2006–0112R1, requires an 

amendment of the applicable Airplane Flight 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
37242 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 123 / Monday, June 27, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

Manual (AFM), repetitive checks of specific 

Centralized Fault Display System (CFDS) 

messages [and an inspection of the opening 

sequence of the MLG door actuator for 

discrepancies if certain messages are found], 

* * * and, depending on findings, corrective 

action(s) [i.e., replacing the affected MLG 

door actuator with a new MLG door 

actuator]. 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued All Operators Telex 

A320–32A1390, dated February 10, 

2011. The actions described in this 

service information are intended to 

correct the unsafe condition identified 

in the MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, we have been notified 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are issuing this 

AD because we evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Differences Between the AD and the 

MCAI or Service Information 

We have reviewed the MCAI and 

related service information and, in 

general, agree with their substance. But 

we might have found it necessary to use 

different words from those in the MCAI 

to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. 

operators and is enforceable. In making 

these changes, we do not intend to differ 

substantively from the information 

provided in the MCAI and related 

service information. 

We might also have required different 

actions in this AD from those in the 

MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. 

Any such differences are highlighted in 

a NOTE within the AD. 

FAA’s Determination of the Effective 

Date 

An unsafe condition exists that 

requires the immediate adoption of this 

AD. The FAA has found that the risk to 

the flying public justifies waiving notice 

and comment prior to adoption of this 

rule because failure of internal parts of 

actuators that could result in slow 

extension and down-locking of MLG, 

resulting in MLG collapse during 

landing or roll out, and consequent 

damage to the airplane. Therefore, we 

determined that notice and opportunity 

for public comment before issuing this 

AD are impracticable and that good 

cause exists for making this amendment 

effective in fewer than 30 days. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not precede it by notice and 

opportunity for public comment. We 

invite you to send any written relevant 

data, views, or arguments about this AD. 

Send your comments to an address 

listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2011–0573; 

Directorate Identifier 2011–NM–082– 

AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. 

We specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend this AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this AD. 

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 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); 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 and placed it in the AD docket. 

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 

removing Amendment 39–14999 (72 FR 

13681, March 23, 2007) and adding the 

following new AD: 

2011–13–11 Airbus: Amendment 39–16734. 

Docket No. FAA–2011–0573; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–082–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) 

becomes effective July 12, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2007–06–18, 

Amendment 39–14999. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model 

A318–111, –112, –121, and –122, airplanes; 

Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114, –115, 

–131, –132, and –133 airplanes; Model 

A320–111, –211, –212, –214, –231, –232, and 

–233 airplanes; and Model A321–111, –112, 

–131, –211, –212, –213, –231, and –232 

airplanes; certificated in any category. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 32: Landing Gear. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness 

information (MCAI) states: 

Some operators reported slow operation of 

the MLG [main landing gear] door opening/ 

closing sequence, leading to the generation of 

ECAM [Electronic Centralised Aircraft 


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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 123 / Monday, June 27, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 37243 

Monitoring] warnings during the landing gear 

retraction or extension sequence. 

* * * * * 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

prevent the full extension and/or 

downlocking of the MLG, possibly resulting 

in MLG collapse during landing or rollout 

and consequent damage to the aeroplane and 

injury to occupants. 

* * * * * 

After in-service introduction of the new 

MLG door actuator, P/N 114122012, several 

operators reported failures of internal parts of 

the MLG door actuator. Investigations 

confirmed that these failures could result in 

slow extension of the actuator rod, delaying 

the MLG Door operation, or possibly 

stopping just before the end of the stroke, 

preventing the door to reach the fully open 

position. 

* * * * * 

Compliance 

(f) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2007– 

06–18, With No Changes 

Repetitive Inspections/Replacement 

(g) At the time specified in paragraph (g)(1) 

or (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable: Do a 

general visual inspection of the operation of 

the MLG door opening sequence to determine 

if a defective actuator is installed by doing 

all the applicable actions, including 

replacing the door actuator, as applicable, 

specified in the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

32–1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006. 

Do all applicable replacements before further 

flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 900 flight cycles. 

Accomplishing the actions before April 27, 

2007 (the effective date of AD 2007–06–18) 

in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 

A320–32–1309, dated March 7, 2006, is 

acceptable for compliance with the 

corresponding requirements in this 

paragraph. Doing the inspection required by 

paragraph (l) of this AD terminates the 

requirements of this paragraph. 

(1) For airplanes on which a record of the 

total number of flight cycles on the MLG door 

actuator is available: Before the accumulation 

of 3,000 total flight cycles on the MLG door 

actuator, or within 800 flight cycles after 

April 27, 2007, whichever is later. 

(2) For airplanes on which a record of the 

total number of flight cycles on the MLG door 

actuator is not available: Within 800 flight 

cycles after April 27, 2007. 

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a 

general visual inspection is: ‘‘A visual 

examination of an interior or exterior area, 

installation, or assembly to detect obvious 

damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of 

inspection is made from within touching 

distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror 

may be necessary to enhance visual access to 

all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. 

This level of inspection is made under 

normally available lighting conditions such 

as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 

droplight and may require removal or 

opening of access panels or doors. Stands, 

ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 

proximity to the area being checked.’’ 

No Reporting/Parts Return Required 

(h) Although the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

32–1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006, 

specify submitting certain information to the 

manufacturer and sending defective actuators 

back to the component manufacturer for 

investigation, this AD does not include those 

requirements. 

New Requirements of This AD 

Revise the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 

(i) Within 14 days after the effective date 

of this AD, revise the Emergency Procedure 

Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) 

to incorporate the following information. 

This may be done by inserting a copy of this 

AD into the AFM. 

‘‘• If ECAM triggers the ‘‘L/G GEAR NOT 

DOWNLOCKED’’ warning, apply the 

following procedure: 

Recycle landing gear. 

• If unsuccessful after 2 min: 

Extend landing gear by gravity. Refer to 

ABN–32 L/G GRAVITY EXTENSION.’’ 

Note 2: When a statement identical to that 

in paragraph (i) of this AD has been included 

in the Emergency Procedure Section of 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. 

Repetitive Checks 

(j) Within 14 days after the effective date 

of this AD or before the accumulation of 800 

total flight cycles, whichever occurs later, 

check the post flight report (PFR) for 

centralized fault display system (CFDS) 

messages triggered within the last 8 days, in 

accordance with paragraph 4.2.1 of Airbus 

All Operators Telex (AOT) A320–32A1390, 

dated February 10, 2011. Repeat the check 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8 days or 

5 flight cycles, whichever occurs later. If 

done in accordance with a method approved 

by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 

116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

the use of an alternative method to check the 

PFR for CFDS messages (e.g., AIRMAN) is 

acceptable in lieu of this check if the 

messages can be conclusively determined 

from that method. 

On-Condition Inspection 

(k) If, during any check required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD, a pair of specific 

CFDS messages specified in paragraph 4.2.1 

of Airbus AOT A320–32A1390, dated 

February 10, 2011, has been triggered by both 

landing gear control and indication units 

(LGCIU) for the same flight, before further 

flight, inspect the door opening sequence of 

the affected doors of the MLG for 

discrepancies (i.e., if any condition specified 

in steps (a) through (d) of paragraph 4.2.2 of 

Airbus AOT A320–32A1390, dated February 

10, 2011, is not met), in accordance with 

paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus AOT A320– 

32A1390, dated February 10, 2011. 

Repetitive Inspections 

(l) At the applicable time specified in 

paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD: inspect 

the door opening sequence of the left hand 

and right hand doors of the MLG for 

discrepancies (i.e., if any condition specified 

in steps (a) through (d) of paragraph 4.2.2 of 

Airbus AOT A320–32A1390, dated February 

10, 2011, is not met), in accordance with the 

instructions of paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus 

AOT A320–32A1390, dated February 10, 

2011. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 425 flight cycles. 

Doing this inspection terminates the 

requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(1) For airplanes on which an inspection 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD has been 

done as of the effective date of this AD: 

Within 800 flight cycles after doing the most 

recent inspection required by paragraph (g) of 

this AD, or within 100 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

later. 

(2) For airplanes on which an inspection 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD has not 

been done as of the effective date of this AD: 

Within 800 flight cycles after the effective 

date of this AD. 

Replacement 

(m) If any discrepancy (i.e., if any 

condition specified in steps (a) through (d) of 

paragraph 4.2.2 of Airbus AOT A320– 

32A1390, dated February 10, 2011, is not 

met) is found during any inspection required 

by paragraph (k) or (l) of this AD, before 

further flight, replace the affected MLG door 

actuator with a new MLG door actuator, in 

accordance with the instructions of Airbus 

AOT A320–32A1390, dated February 10, 

2011. 

(n) Replacement of the MLG door actuator 

as required by paragraph (m) of this AD is not 

a terminating action for the repetitive actions 

required by paragraphs (j) and (l) of this AD. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI 

and/or service information as follows: 

(1) Paragraph (6) of European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2011–0069, dated 

April 18, 2011, specifies a compliance time 

of 800 flight cycles after the effective date for 

all airplanes for the initial inspection of the 

door opening sequence. This AD specifies a 

compliance time of 800 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD for airplanes on 

which the existing inspections (required by 

AD 2007–06–18) of the door opening 

sequence have not been done, and a 

compliance time of within 800 flight cycles 

since the most recent inspection or within 

100 flight cycles after the effective date of 

this AD, whichever occurs later, for airplanes 

on which the existing inspections of the door 

opening sequence have been done. 

(2) EASA AD 2011–0069, dated April 18, 

2011, specifies MLG door actuators having 

part number (P/N) 114122006, P/N 

114122007, P/N 114122009, P/N 114122010, 

P/N 114122011, or P/N 114122012, in its 

applicability. This AD retains the existing 

applicability of AD 2007–06–18 of all 

airplanes because all airplanes have one of 

the affected part numbers. 


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37244 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 123 / Monday, June 27, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(o) The following provisions also apply to 

this AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 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: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 227–1405; fax (425) 

227–1149. Information may be e-mailed 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. As of the effective date of this AD, 

AMOCs approved previously in accordance 

with AD 2007–06–18, are not approved as 

AMOCs with 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 FAAapproved 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. 

(3) Special Flight Permits: 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) with the MLG extended, provided 

that no recycle of the MLG is allowed during 

flight. 

Related Information 

(p) Refer to MCAI EASA 2011–0069, dated 

April 18, 2011; Airbus Service Bulletin 

A320–32–1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 

2006; and Airbus AOT A320–32A1390, dated 

February 10, 2011; for related information. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(q) You must use Airbus All Operators 

Telex A320–32A1390, dated February 10, 

2011; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320–32– 

1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006; as 

applicable; to do the actions required by this 

AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

Airbus All Operators Telex A320–32A1390, 

dated February 10, 2011, under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) The Director of the Federal Register 

previously approved the incorporation by 

reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A320– 

32–1309, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2006, 

on April 27, 2007 (72 FR 13681, March 23, 

2007). 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness 

Office—EAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: 

account.airworth-eas@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, 

Washington. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

425–227–1221. 

(5) You may also review copies of the 

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/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 

2011. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–15683 Filed 6–24–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0546; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–NM–215–AD; Amendment 

39–16659; AD 2011–08–09] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa 

Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 

(EMBRAER) Model EMB–120, –120ER, 

–120FC, –120QC, and –120RT 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD results 

from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: 

It has been found that some fuel quantity 

probes may fail during the airplane life 

leading to an erroneous fuel quantity 

indication to the crew. This erroneous 

indication may lead to the airplane being 

operated with less fuel than indicated which 

may lead to an uncommanded in-flight 

shutdown of one or both engines due to fuel 

starvation. 

* * * * * 

We are issuing this AD to require 

actions to correct the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

August 1, 2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of August 1, 2011. 

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: 

Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1175; 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 June 3, 2010 (75 FR 31332). 

That NPRM proposed to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

It has been found that some fuel quantity 

probes may fail during the airplane life 

leading to an erroneous fuel quantity 

indication to the crew. This erroneous 

indication may lead to the airplane being 

operated with less fuel than indicated which 

may lead to an uncommanded in-flight 

shutdown of one or both engines due to fuel 

starvation. 

* * * * * 

Required actions include determining 

the real fuel quantity on each tank using 

the dripless measuring sticks, 

comparing the results of the fuel 

quantity measurement with the fuel 

master indicator and repeater indicator 

readings for each tank, and corrective 

actions as applicable. Corrective actions 

include replacing the measuring stick 

and its relevant magnetic float, 

replacing the master fuel quantity 

indicator, and replacing the repeater 

indicator, as applicable; inspecting 

defective tank units for contamination, 

corrosion and integrity of components, 

and repairing or replacing as necessary; 

inspecting system wiring from the 

connector at the wing root to the master 

indicator for condition and continuity; 

and correcting the fuel quantity 

indication system; as applicable. You 


jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES