Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 14 / Thursday, January 22, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 3153 

Model Number: Standardized 

Advanced NUHOMS® –24PT1, –24PT4, 

and –32PTH2. 

* * * * * 

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 8th day 

of January, 2015. 

For the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission. 

Mark A. Satorius, 

Executive Director for Operations. 

[FR Doc. 2015–01031 Filed 1–21–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0924; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–228–AD; Amendment 

39–18067; AD 2014–25–51] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 

A321 series airplanes. This emergency 

AD was sent previously to all known 

U.S. owners and operators of these 

airplanes. This AD requires revising the 

airplane flight manual to advise the 

flightcrew of emergency procedures for 

abnormal Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot). 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

Angle of Attack (AoA) probes jamming 

on an in-service Airbus Model A321 

airplane. Jamming of the two AoA 

probes during climb is attributed to 

water freezing under the AoA vane 

slinger, and led to activation of the 

Alpha Prot while the Mach number 

increased, which resulted in an airplane 

pitch down per design. We are issuing 

this AD to ensure that the flightcrew has 

procedures to counteract the pitch down 

order due to abnormal activation of the 

Alpha Prot. An abnormal Alpha Prot, if 

not corrected, could result in loss of 

control of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 

2015 to all persons except those persons 

to whom it was made immediately 

effective by Emergency AD 2014–25–51, 

issued on December 10, 2014, which 

contained the requirements of this 

amendment. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by March 9, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail 

address above 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 by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2014– 

0924; 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 (phone: 

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, WA 

98057–3356; telephone 425–227–1405; 

fax 425–227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On December 10, 2014, we issued 

Emergency AD 2014–25–51, which 

requires revising the airplane flight 

manual to advise the flightcrew of 

emergency procedures for abnormal 

Alpha Prot. This emergency AD was 

sent previously to all known U.S. 

owners and operators of these airplanes. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued Emergency 

Airworthiness Directive 2014–0266–E, 

dated December 9, 2014 (referred to 

after this as the Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information, or ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

on all Model A318, A319, A320, and 

A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states: 

An occurrence was reported where an 

Airbus A321 aeroplane encountered a 

blockage of two Angle of Attack (AoA) probes 

during climb, leading to activation of the 

Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot) while the 

Mach number increased. The flightcrew 

managed to regain full control and the flight 

landed uneventfully. 

When Alpha Prot is activated due to 

blocked AoA probes, the flight control laws 

order a continuous nose down pitch rate that, 

in a worst case scenario, cannot be stopped 

with backward sidestick inputs, even in the 

full backward position. If the Mach number 

increases during a nose down order, the AoA 

value of the Alpha Prot will continue to 

decrease. As a result, the flight control laws 

will continue to order a nose down pitch 

rate, even if the speed is above minimum 

selectable speed, known as VLS. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in loss of control of the aeroplane. 

To address this unsafe condition, Airbus 

* * * [has] developed a specific Aircraft 

Flight Manual (AFM) procedure, which has 

been published in AFM Temporary Revision 

(TR) No. 502. 

For the reasons described above, this AD 

requires amendment of the applicable AFM 

[to advise the flightcrew of emergency 

procedures for abnormal Alpha Prot]. 

This is considered to be an interim action 

and further [EASA] AD action may follow. 

FAA’s Determination and AD 

Requirements 

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. 

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 an abnormal Alpha Prot, if 

not corrected, could result in loss of 

control of the airplane. Therefore, we 

find that notice and opportunity for 

prior public comment are impracticable 

and that good cause exists for making 

this amendment effective in less than 30 

days. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety and 

was not preceded by notice and an 

opportunity for public comment. 

However, we invite you to send any 

written data, views, or arguments about 

this AD. Send your comments to an 

address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include the docket number 

FAA–2014–0924 and Directorate 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
3154 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 14 / Thursday, January 22, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 

Identifier 2014–NM–228–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. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 953 

airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate 

the following costs to comply with this 

AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

AFM revision ........................... 1 work-hour X $85 per hour = $85 ........................................ $0 $85 $81,005 

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 

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 

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. 

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): 

2014–25–51 Airbus: Amendment 39–18067; 

Docket No. FAA–2014–0924; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–228–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective February 6, 2015 to all 

persons except those persons to whom it was 

made immediately effective by Emergency 

AD 2014–25–51, issued on December 10, 

2014, which contained the requirements of 

this amendment. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, 

certificated in any category, identified in 

paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of 

this AD. 

(1) All Model A318–111, –112, –121, and 

–122 airplanes. 

(2) All Model A319–111, –112, –113, –114, 

–115, –131, –132, and –133 airplanes. 

(3) All Model A320–211, –212, –214, –231, 

–232, and –233 airplanes. 

(4) All Model A321–111, –112, –131, –211, 

–212, –213, –231, and –232 airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 34, Navigation. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

Angle of Attack (AoA) probes jamming on an 

in-service Airbus Model A321 airplane. 

Jamming of the two AoA probes during climb 

is attributed to water freezing under the AoA 

vane slinger, and led to activation of the 

Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot) while the 

Mach number increased, which resulted in 

an airplane pitch down per design. We are 

issuing this AD to ensure the flightcrew has 

procedures to counteract the pitch down 

order due to abnormal activation of the 

Alpha Prot. An abnormal Alpha Prot, if not 

corrected, could result in loss of control of 

the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Revision of Airplane Flight Manual 

(AFM) 

Within 2 days after the effective date of 

this AD, revise the AFM to incorporate 

procedures to address undue activation of 

Alpha Prot by inserting the text specified in 

figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD into the 

Emergency Procedures section of the 

applicable AFM, to advise the flightcrew of 

emergency procedures for abnormal Alpha 

Prot. This may be accomplished by inserting 

a copy of this AD into the AFM. When a 

statement identical to the text specified in 

figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD is 

included in the general revisions of the AFM, 

the general revisions may be inserted in the 

AFM, and the text specified in figure 1 to 

paragraph (g) of this AD may be removed. 


tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 14 / Thursday, January 22, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 3155 

FIGURE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (g) OF THIS AD—AFM PROCEDURE

• At any time, with a speed above VLS, if the aircraft goes to a continuous nose down pitch rate that cannot be stopped with backward sidestick inputs, immediately: 

Keep on one ADR. 

Turn off two ADRs. 

• If the Alpha Max strip (red) hides completely the Alpha Prot strip (black and amber) in a stabilized wings-level flight path (without 

an increase in load factor): 

Keep on one ADR. 

Turn off two ADRs. 

In case of dispatch with one ADR inoperative, switch only one ADR to OFF. 

• CAUTION RISK OF ERRONEOUS DISPLAY OF THE VSW STRIP (RED AND BLACK) 

Consider using the Flight Path Vector (FPV). 

• If the Alpha Prot strip (black and amber) rapidly moves by more than 30 kt during flight maneuvers (with an increase in load factor), with AP ON and speed brakes retracted: 

Keep on one ADR. 

Turn off two ADRs. 

In case of dispatch with one ADR inoperative, switch only one ADR to OFF. 

CAUTION RISK OF ERRONEOUS DISPLAY OF THE VSW STRIP (RED AND BLACK) 

Consider using the Flight Path Vector (FPV). 

(h) Special Flight Permits 

Special flight permits, as described in 

Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 

and 21.199), are not allowed. 

(i) Other FAA Provisions 

(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, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone 425–227–1405; fax 425–227–1149. 

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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 

116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or 

EASA; or Airbus’s EASA Design 

Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by 

the DOA, the approval must include the 

DOA-authorized signature. 

(j) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone 425–227–1405; fax 425–227–1149. 

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 

7, 2015. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2015–00714 Filed 1–21–15; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2014–0927; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–230–AD; Amendment 

39–18068; AD 2014–26–53] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A319–115, A319–133, 

A320–214, A320–232, and A320–233 

airplanes. This emergency AD was sent 

previously to all known U.S. owners 

and operators of these airplanes. This 

AD requires repetitive detailed visual 

inspections to detect discrepancies of 

the wing lower skin surface and inboard 

main landing gear (MLG) support rib 

lower flange location fasteners and, 

depending on findings, accomplishment 

of applicable corrective action(s). This 

AD was prompted by reports of failure 

of certain fasteners located at the wing 

lower skin surface and inboard MLG 

support rib lower flange. We are issuing 

this AD to detect and correct 

discrepancies of the fasteners at the 

external surface of the lower wing skin 

and inboard MLG support rib lower 

flange, which could result in an airplane 

not meeting its maximum loads 

expected in service. This condition 

could result in structural failure. 

DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 

2015 to all persons except those persons 

to whom it was made immediately 

effective by Emergency AD 2014–26–53, 

issued on December 16, 2014, which 

contained the requirements of this 

amendment. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication identified in this 

AD as of February 6, 2015. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by March 9, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness 

Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 

61 93 44 51; email account.airwortheas@airbus.com; Internet http://

www.airbus.com. 


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