Document ID: FAA-2015-0251-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-03-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11960-11963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-04504]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0251; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-200-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by a determination that, in specific flight conditions, 
the allowable load limits on the vertical tail plane could be reached 
and possibly exceeded. Exceeding allowable load could result in 
detachment of the vertical tail plane. This proposed AD would require 
modification of the pin programming flight warning computer (FWC) to 
activate the stop rudder input warning (SRIW) logic; and an inspection 
to determine the part numbers of the FWC and the flight augmentation 
computer (FAC), and replacement of the FWC and FAC if necessary. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent detachment of the vertical tail plane and 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 20, 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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

[[Page 11961]]

account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You 
may view this referenced 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.

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-2015-
0251; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed 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, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1405; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0251; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-200-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0217, dated September 26, 2014 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Model A318, A319, 
A320, and Model A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During design reviews that were conducted following safety 
recommendations related to in-service incidents and one accident on 
another aircraft type, it has been determined that, in specific 
flight conditions, the allowable load limits on the vertical tail 
plane could be reached and possibly exceeded.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead, in the worst case, 
to detachment of the vertical tail plane in flight and consequent 
loss of the aeroplane.
    To prevent such a possibility, Airbus has developed 
modifications within the flight augmentation computer (FAC) to 
reduce the vertical tail plane stress and to activate a conditional 
aural warning within the flight warning computer (FWC) to further 
protect against pilot induced rudder doublets.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
installation and activation of the stop rudder input warning (SRIW) 
logic.
    In addition, this [EASA] AD requires, prior to or concurrent 
with modification of an aeroplane with the activation of the SRIW, 
upgrades of the FAC and FWC, to introduce the SRIW logic and SRIW 
aural capability, respectively. After modification, this [EASA] AD 
prohibits installation of certain Part Number (P/N) FWC and FAC.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0251.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-22-1480, dated July 9, 
2014. The service information describes procedures for modifying the 
pin programming to activate the SRIW logic.
    Airbus has also issued the following service bulletins. The service 
information describes procedures for replacing FWCs and FACs.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1375, dated January 15, 
2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1427, Revision 04, dated 
February 11, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1447, Revision 01, dated 
September 18, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1461, Revision 04, dated 
September 15, 2014.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31-1414, Revision 03, dated 
September 15, 2014.
    The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. This service 
information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access 
this service information.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed 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 proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these 
same type designs.

Explanation of ``RC'' Procedures and Tests in Service Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directives Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process 
for annotating which procedures and tests in the service information 
are required for compliance with an AD. Differentiating these 
procedures and tests from other tasks in the service information is 
expected to improve an owner's/operator's understanding of crucial AD 
requirements and help provide consistent judgment in AD compliance. The 
actions specified in the service information identified previously 
include procedures and tests that are identified as RC (required for 
compliance) because these procedures have a direct effect on detecting, 
preventing, resolving, or eliminating an identified unsafe condition.
    As specified in a NOTE under the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
specified service information, procedures and tests identified as RC 
must be done to comply with the proposed AD. However, procedures and 
tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures 
and tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using 
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or 
inspection program without obtaining approval of an alternative method 
of compliance (AMOC), provided the procedures and tests identified as 
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC will require approval of an AMOC.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 953 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product 
to

[[Page 11962]]

comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $243,015, or $255 
per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 6 work-hours (3 work-hours for an FWC and 3 work-hours for 
an FAC), for a cost of up to $510 per product. We have received no 
definitive data that would enable us to provide part cost estimates for 
the on-condition actions specified in this proposed AD. We have no way 
of determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
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);
    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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2015-0251; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-
200-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 20, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category, 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, all 
manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, 
and -133 airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, 
and -232 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto flight; 
31, Instruments.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that, in specific flight 
conditions, the allowable load limits on the vertical tail plane 
could be reached and possibly exceeded. Exceeding allowable load 
could result in detachment of the vertical tail plane. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the vertical tail plane and 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Pin Programming Modification

    Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the 
pin programming to activate the stop rudder input warning (SRIW) 
logic, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-22-1480, dated July 9, 2014.

(h) Inspection To Determine Part Numbers (P/Ns), Flight Warning 
Computer (FWC) and Flight Augmentation Computer (FAC) Replacement

    Prior to or concurrently with, the actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD: Inspect the part numbers of the FWC and the FAC 
installed on the airplane. If any FWC or FAC having a part number 
identified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, as applicable, 
is installed on an airplane, prior to or concurrently with, the 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, replace all affected 
FWCs and FACs with a unit having a part number identified in 
paragraph (h)(3) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable Airbus service bulletins specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (1) Paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(xvii) of this AD 
identify FWCs having part numbers that are non-compatible with the 
SRIW activation required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (i) 350E017238484 (H1D1).
    (ii) 350E053020303 (H2E3).
    (iii) 350E016187171 (C5).
    (iv) 350E053020404 (H2E4).
    (v) 350E017248685 (H1D2).
    (vi) 350E053020606 (H2F2).
    (vii) 350E017251414 (H1E1).
    (viii) 350E053020707 (H2F3).
    (ix) 350E017271616 (H1E2).
    (x) 350E053021010 (H2F3P).
    (xi) 350E018291818 (H1E3CJ).
    (xii) 350E053020808 (H2F4).
    (xiii) 350E018301919 (H1E3P).
    (xiv) 350E053020909 (H2-F5).
    (xv) 350E018312020 (H1E3Q).
    (xvi) 350E053021111 (H2-F6).
    (xvii) 350E053020202 (H2E2).
    (2) Paragraphs (h)(2)(i) through (h)(2)(xxxiv) of this AD 
identify FACs having part numbers that are non-compatible with the 
SRIW activation required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (i) B397AAM0202.
    (ii) B397BAM0101.
    (iii) B397BAM0512.
    (iv) B397AAM0301.
    (v) B397BAM0202.
    (vi) B397BAM0513.
    (vii) B397AAM0302.
    (viii) B397BAM0203.
    (ix) B397BAM0514.
    (x) B397AAM0303.
    (xi) B397BAM0305.
    (xii) B397BAM0515.
    (xiii) B397AAM0404.
    (xiv) B397BAM0406.
    (xv) B397BAM0616.
    (xvi) B397AAM0405.
    (xvii) B397BAM0407.
    (xviii) B397BAM0617.
    (xix) B397AAM0506.
    (xx) B397BAM0507.
    (xxi) B397BAM0618.
    (xxii) B397AAM0507.
    (xxiii) B397BAM0508.
    (xxiv) B397BAM0619.
    (xxv) B397AAM0508.
    (xxvi) B397BAM0509.
    (xxvii) B397BAM0620.
    (xxviii) B397AAM0509.
    (xxix) B397BAM0510.
    (xxx) B397CAM0101.

[[Page 11963]]

    (xxxi) B397AAM0510.
    (xxxii) B397BAM0511.
    (xxxiii) B397CAM0102.
    (xxxiv) Soft P/N G2856AAA01 installed on hard P/N C13206AA00.
    (3) Paragraphs (h)(3)(i) through (h)(3)(iv) of this AD identify 
the FWCs and FACs having the part numbers that are compatible with 
SRIW activation required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (i) For airplane configurations with no sharklet, an FAC having 
P/N B397BAM0621 (621 hard B).
    (ii) For airplanes configured with sharklet A320 and A319, an 
FAC having P/N B397BAM0622 (622 hard B).
    (iii) For airplanes configured with sharklet A321, an FAC having 
P/N B397BAM0623 (623 hard B).
    (iv) For all airplane configurations, an FAC having soft P/N 
G2856AAA02 installed on hard P/N C13206AA00 (CAA02 hard C) and FWC 
having P/N 350E053021212 (H2-F7).

(i) Service Bulletins for Actions Required by Paragraph (h) of This AD

    Do the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
Airbus service bulletin specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through 
(i)(5) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1375, dated January 15, 2014 
(FAC 621 Hard B).
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1427, Revision 04, dated 
February 11, 2014 (FAC 622 Hard B).
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1447, Revision 01, dated 
September 18, 2014 (FAC A02 Hard C).
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1461, Revision 04, dated 
September 15, 2014 (FAC 623 Hard B).
    (5) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31-1414, Revision 03, dated 
September 15, 2014 (FWC H-F7).

(j) Exclusion From Actions Required by Paragraphs (g) and (h) of This 
AD

    An airplane on which Airbus Modification 154473 has been 
embodied in production is excluded from the requirements of 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, provided that, within 30 days 
after the effective date of this AD, an inspection of the part 
numbers of the FWC and the FAC installed on the airplane is done to 
determine that no FWC having a part number listed in paragraph 
(h)(1) of this AD, and no FAC having a part number part number 
listed in listed in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, has been installed 
on that airplane since date of manufacture. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
part numbers of the FWC and FAC can be conclusively determined from 
that review. If any FWC or FAC having a part number identified in 
paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, as applicable, is installed 
on a post-modification 154473 airplane: Within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, do the replacement required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD.

(k) Parts Installation Prohibitions

    After modification of an airplane as required by paragraphs (g), 
(h), and (j) of this AD: Do not install on that airplane any FWC 
having a part number listed in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD or any 
FAC having a part number listed in paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

(l) Later Approved Parts

    Installation of a version (part number) of the FWC or FAC 
approved after the effective date of this AD is an approved method 
of compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h) or (j) of this 
AD, provided the requirements specified in paragraphs (l)(1) and 
(l)(2) of this AD are met.
    (1) The version (part number) must be approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; 
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA).
    (2) The installation must be accomplished using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA.

(m) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using the Airbus service information identified in 
paragraphs (m)(1) through (m)(12) of this AD. This service 
information is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1427, dated January 25, 
2013.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1427, Revision 01, dated 
July 30, 2013.
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1427, Revision 02, dated 
October 14, 2013.
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1427, Revision 03, dated 
November 8, 2013.
    (5) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1447, dated October 18, 
2013.
    (6) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1461, dated October 31, 
2013.
    (7) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1461, Revision 01, dated 
February 25, 2014.
    (8) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1461, Revision 02, dated 
April 30, 2014.
    (9) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-22-1461, Revision 03, dated 
July 17, 2014.
    (10) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31-1414, dated December 19, 
2012.
    (11) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31-1414, Revision 01, dated 
March 21, 2013.
    (12) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31-1414, Revision 02, dated 
July 30, 2013.

(n) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1405; 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) Required for Compliance (RC): If the service information 
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those 
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any 
procedures and tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. 
Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the 
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as 
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
    (3) 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 the EASA; 
or Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must 
include the DOA-authorized signature.

(o) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0217, dated September 26, 
2014, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0251.
    (2) 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.airworth-eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 19, 2015.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-04504 Filed 3-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P