Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 218 / Monday, November 14, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 69065 

Technical Disposition 959.1492/01, Issue C, 

dated July 17, 2001; as applicable; to perform 

the actions that are required by this AD, 

unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

Airbus Service Bulletin A320–52–1112, 

Revision 05, dated June 25, 2004; in 

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) On August 31, 2001 (66 FR 42939, 

August 16, 2001), the Director of the Federal 

Register approved the incorporation by 

reference of Airbus Industrie All Operators 

Telex A320–52A1111, Revision 01, dated 

July 23, 2001, including Airbus Industrie 

Technical Disposition 959.1492/01, Issue C, 

dated July 17, 2001. 

(3) Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a 

copy of this service information. You may 

review copies at the Docket Management 

Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 

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

Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the 

Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at the 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 October 

25, 2005. 

Kalene C. Yanamura, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 05–22217 Filed 11–10–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2005–22881; Directorate 

Identifier 2005–NM–202–AD; Amendment 

39–14368; AD 2005–23–10] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330–200 and A330–300 Series 

Airplanes; and Model A340–200 and 

A340–300 Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A330–200 and A330–300 

series airplanes; and Model A340–200 

and A340–300 series airplanes. This AD 

requires an accelerated schedule of 

repetitive testing of the elevator servo 

control loops, and corrective actions if 

necessary. This AD results from reports 

of failed elevator servo controls due to 

broken guides. We are issuing this AD 

to ensure proper functioning of the 

elevator servo controls. Failure of the 

elevator servo controls during certain 

phases of takeoff could result in an 

unannounced loss of elevator control 

and consequent reduced controllability 

of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

November 29, 2005. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in the AD 

as of November 29, 2005. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by January 13, 2006. 

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. 

Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, 

for service information identified in this 

AD. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim 

Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2797; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation 

Civile (DGAC), which is the 

airworthiness authority for France, 

notified us that an unsafe condition may 

exist on all Airbus Model A330–200 and 

A330–300 series airplanes; and Model 

A340–200 and A340–300 series 

airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has 

received reports of elevator servo 

control removals resulting from the ‘‘F/ 

CTL ELEV SERVO FAULT’’ warning. 

During repair, some of these servo 

controls installed at the active position 

(2CS1) (Left Green) or (2CS2) (Right 

Green) were found with a broken guide. 

The broken guides resulted in the 

inability for the affected servo controls 

to change their operating mode, leading 

to ‘‘F/CTL ELEV SERVO FAULT’’

warnings. Results of the investigation 

revealed a fatigue rupture inside the 

servo control induced by successive 

pressure cycles and resulting in a 

progressive decrease of the tightening 

torque of the plug to be the root cause 

of the broken guides. 

Each elevator is equipped with two 

servo controls having three operating 

modes: active mode, damping mode, 

and centering mode. In normal 

operating conditions, each elevator is 

actuated by one servo control in active 

mode, while the other is in damping 

mode. The mode change from active to 

damping is achieved by a mode-selector 

spool valve installed inside each servo 

control. The position of this spool valve 

is commanded by a rod that slides 

through a guide. A broken guide could 

result in the inability for the affected 

servo control to change its operating 

mode. 

Failure of the elevator servo controls 

during certain phases of takeoff, if not 

corrected, could result in an 

unannounced loss of elevator control 

and consequent reduced controllability 

of the airplane. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued All Operators Telex 

(AOT) A330–27A3138, Revision 01, 

dated October 3, 2005, for Model A330–

200 and –300 series airplanes; and AOT 

A340–27A4137, Revision 01, dated 

October 3, 2005, for Model A340–200 

and –300 series airplanes. The AOTs 

describe procedures for repetitive tests 

of the elevator servo-loops and 

corrective actions if the test fails. If the 

test fails, the AOTs specify performing 

the associated troubleshooting manual 

tasks and applicable corrective actions. 

The corrective actions include repairing 

wiring, replacing certain solenoid 

valves, replacing certain mode selector 

valve transducers, and replacing the 

elevator servo control, among other 

actions, depending on the fault message 

displayed. The AOTs also specify 

reporting failed tests and sending 

replaced servo controls to Airbus. 

The DGAC mandated the AOTs and 

issued French airworthiness directive 

UF–2005–171, dated October 3, 2005, to 

ensure the continued airworthiness of 

these airplanes in France. 

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 section 

69066 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 218 / Monday, November 14, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 

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 

ensure proper functioning of the 

elevator servo controls. Failure of the 

elevator servo controls during certain 

phases of takeoff could result in an 

unannounced loss of elevator control 

and consequent reduced controllability 

of the airplane. This AD requires 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously. 

This AD also requires that operators 

report results of failed servo-loop tests 

to Airbus. These required failed-test 

reports will be instrumental in ensuring 

that as much information as possible is 

gathered regarding the nature of the 

fatigue rupture causing the broken 

guides and that the new design of servo 

control to be used in a terminating 

modification, which the manufacturer is 

currently developing, will adequately 

address the subject unsafe condition. 

Clarification of Corrective Actions 

Specified in the French Airworthiness 

Directive 

The French airworthiness directive 

does not define what ‘‘corrective 

actions’’ should be taken when an 

elevator servo-loop test fails. We have 

verified that those corrective actions are 

the actions described previously under 

‘‘Relevant Service Information.’’

Interim Action 

We consider this AD interim action. 

The manufacturer is currently 

developing a modification that will 

address the unsafe condition identified 

in this AD. Once this modification is 

developed, approved, and available, we 

may consider additional rulemaking. 

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 in the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2005–22881; Directorate Identifier 

2005–NM–202–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of the AD that might suggest a 

need to modify it. 

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 that 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 may review the DOT’s complete 

Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 

Register published on April 11, 2000 

(65 FR 19477–78), or you may visit 

http://dms.dot.gov. 

Examining the Docket 

You may 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 located 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 Docket 

Management System receives them. 

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 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 and placed it in the AD docket. 

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 Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 

by adding the following new 

airworthiness directive (AD): 

2005–23–10 Airbus: Amendment 39–14368. 

Docket No. FAA–2005–22881; 

Directorate Identifier 2005–NM–202–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This AD becomes effective November 

29, 2005. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model 

A330–201, –202, –203, –223, –243, –301, 

–321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 218 / Monday, November 14, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 69067 

airplanes; and Model A340–211, –212, –213, 

–311, –312, and –313 airplanes; certificated 

in any category. 

Unsafe Condition 

(d) This AD results from reports of elevator 

servo control failures due to broken guides. 

We are issuing this AD to ensure proper 

functioning of the elevator servo controls. 

Failure of the elevator servo controls during 

certain phases of takeoff could result in an 

unannounced loss of elevator control and 

consequent reduced controllability of the 

airplane. 

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. 

Service Information 

(f) The term ‘‘AOT,’’ as used in this AD, 

means section 4.2. ‘‘Description’’ of the 

following service information, as applicable: 

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

airplanes: Airbus All Operators Telex A330–

27A3138, Revision 01, dated October 3, 2005; 

and 

(2) For Model A340–200 and –300 series 

airplanes: Airbus All Operators Telex A340–

27A4137, Revision 01, dated October 3, 2005. 

Initial and Repetitive Elevator Servo-Loop 

Tests 

(g) Within 200 flight hours after the 

effective date of this AD: Test the elevator 

servo-loops, in accordance with the AOT. If 

the test of the elevator servo-loops passes, 

repeat the test at intervals not to exceed 140 

flight hours or 8 days, whichever occurs first. 

Failed Tests 

(h) If any test of the elevator servo-loops 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD fails: 

Before further flight, troubleshoot the cause 

of the test failure, and do the applicable 

corrective actions; in accordance with the 

AOT. Thereafter, repeat the test at the times 

specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. 

Reporting Requirement 

(i) Following each test required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, submit a report of 

the findings of only failed elevator servo-loop 

tests to Airbus Customer Services, 

Engineering and Technical Support, 

Attention: Mr. J. Laurent, SEE53, fax +33/ 

(0)5.61.93.44.25; at the applicable time 

specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this 

AD. The report must include the description 

of the failure experienced during the test, the 

identified cause of the failure, and the 

number of flight hours and flight cycles on 

the airplane. Under the provisions of the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 

3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB) has approved the information 

collection requirements contained in this AD 

and has assigned OMB Control Number 

2120–0056. 

(1) If the test was done after the effective 

date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 

days after the test. 

(2) If the test was done prior to the effective 

date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 

days after the effective date of this AD. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(j)(1) 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. 

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in 

accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to 

which the AMOC applies, notify the 

appropriate principal inspector in the FAA 

Flight Standards Certificate Holding District 

Office. 

Related Information 

(k) French airworthiness directive UF–

2005–171, dated October 3, 2005, also 

addresses the subject of this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(l) You must use Airbus All Operators 

Telex A330–27A3138, Revision 01, dated 

October 3, 2005; or Airbus All Operators 

Telex A340–27A4137, Revision 01, dated 

October 3, 2005; as applicable, to perform the 

actions that are required by this AD, unless 

the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of 

the Federal Register approved the 

incorporation by reference of these 

documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 

Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 

Cedex, France, for a copy of this service 

information. You may review copies at the 

Docket Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 

Street SW., room PL–401, Nassif Building, 

Washington, DC; on the Internet at http:// 

dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the 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 October 

31, 2005. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 05–22213 Filed 11–10–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2005–22120; Directorate 

Identifier 2004–NM–92–AD; Amendment 39–

14360; AD 2005–23–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A319–100 Series Airplanes, Model 

A320–111 Airplanes, Model A320–200 

Series Airplanes, and Model A321–100 

Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A319–100 series 

airplanes, Model A320–111 airplanes, 

Model A320–200 series airplanes, and 

Model A321–100 series airplanes 

equipped with any additional center 

tank (ACT). This AD requires 

identifying the part number of the ACT 

and, for certain ACTs, replacing the 

outer ACT manhole cover and seal. This 

AD results from reports of an ACT fuel 

transfer failure due to air leakage around 

the seal of the outer manhole covers of 

the ACTs. We are issuing this AD to 

prevent this leakage, which could result 

in fuel or fuel vapor leaking into the 

cargo compartment, and consequent 

increased risk of a fire in the cargo 

compartment. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

December 19, 2005. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of December 19, 2005. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, room PL–401, 

Washington, DC. 

Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, 

for service information identified in this 

AD. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Examining the Docket 

You may examine the airworthiness 

directive (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 located on 

the plaza level of the Nassif Building at 

the street address stated in the 

ADDRESSES section. 

Discussion 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to certain Airbus Model A319–

100 series airplanes, Model A320–111 

airplanes, Model A320–200 series