Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 197 (Thursday, October 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51860-51862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25393]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-287-AD; Amendment 39-12464; AD 2001-20-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series airplanes. 
This action requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to advise the 
flight crew of performance corrections necessary to ensure adequate 
runway lengths for certain takeoff and landing conditions. This action 
is necessary to prevent the airplane from departing the end of the 
runway during a landing or a rejected takeoff due to reduced braking 
performance.

DATES: Effective October 26, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 26, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-287-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-287-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

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: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on Airbus Model 
A319 and A320 series airplanes equipped with certain Goodrich carbon 
brakes. The DGAC advises that a Model A320 series airplane departed the 
end of the runway during landing. Investigation revealed that the 
airplane's Goodrich brakes did not meet performance specifications. The 
reduced performance may have been caused by the contamination of the 
brake wear surfaces by the oxidation inhibitor applied during 
production and/or a tendency of this particular type of oxidation 
inhibitor to absorb water. The susceptibility of this oxidation 
inhibitor to absorb water is exacerbated during a period of inactivity 
of the airplane brakes (that is, more than 7 sequential days without 
brake usage). Such reduced braking performance could exist throughout 
the life of the brakes and, if not corrected, could result in the 
airplane departing the end of the runway during landing or a rejected 
takeoff.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued A319/320/321 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
Temporary Revisions (TRs) 5.02.00/60 (for Model A319 series airplanes) 
and 5.03.00/21 (for Model A320 series airplanes), both Issue 2, both 
dated September 14, 2001. The TRs provide the flight crew with 
performance corrections necessary to ensure adequate runway lengths for 
certain takeoff and landing conditions. The performance corrections are 
intended to prevent the airplane from departing the end of the runway 
during a landing or a rejected takeoff due to reduced braking 
performance. The DGAC classified these TRs as mandatory and issued 
French airworthiness directive 2001-441(B), dated September 19, 2001, 
to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 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. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, this AD is being issued to ensure adequate 
takeoff and landing field lengths to prevent the airplane from 
departing the end of the runway during a landing or a rejected takeoff 
due to reduced braking performance. This AD requires a revision to the 
Limitations section of the FAA-approved AFM to advise the flight crew 
of performance corrections necessary to ensure adequate runway lengths 
for certain takeoff and landing conditions.

Difference Between This AD and French Airworthiness Directive

    The applicability of this AD includes additional part numbers and 
modifications not identified by the existing French airworthiness 
directive. Those additional part numbers and modifications are included 
in Issue 2 of TRs 5.02.00/60 and 5.03.00/21, cited in this AD as the 
appropriate sources of information for the revised AFM procedures.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good

[[Page 51861]]

cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    <bullet> Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    <bullet> For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is 
being requested.
    <bullet> Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket 2001-NM-287-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-20-16  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12464. Docket 2001-NM-
287-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, equipped with Goodrich carbon brakes 
having part number 2-1526-4, 2-1526-5, 2-1572, 2-1600-1, or 2-1600-
2.

    Note 1: Brakes having the affected part numbers may have been 
installed in production in accordance with Airbus Modification 
23597, 24007, 24260, 25810, 30075, or 31146; or in service in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1090, A320-32-1114, 
A320-32-1180, A320-32-1221, or A320-32-1228.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the airplane from departing the end of the runway 
during a landing or a rejected takeoff due to reduced braking 
performance, accomplish the following:

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM by inserting into 
the AFM a copy of Airbus AFM Temporary Revision (TR) 5.02.00/60 (for 
Model A319 series airplanes) or TR 5.03.00/21 (for Model A320 series 
airplanes), both Issue 2, both dated September 14, 2001; as 
applicable.

    Note 2: Reference in TRs 5.02.00/60 and 5.03.00/21 to airplanes 
stored for a period of ``more than 7 days'' means a period of more 
than 7 consecutive days without brake usage.

    (b) When the TRs required by paragraph (a) of this AD have been 
incorporated into the general AFM revisions, the general revisions 
may be inserted into the AFM, provided the information contained in 
the general revisions is identical to that specified in the TRs.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) 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) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The AFM revisions shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision 5.02.00/60, Issue 2, dated 
September 14, 2001; or Airbus Airplane Flight Manual Temporary 
Revision 5.03.00/21, Issue 2, dated September 14, 2001; as 
applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-441(B), dated September 19, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 26, 2001.


[[Page 51862]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 3, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-25393 Filed 10-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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