Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series Airplanes Equipped With Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) L80 Standard

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70431-70432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31060]



[[Page 70431]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-57-AD; Amendment 39-13390; AD 2003-25-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) L80 
Standard

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series 
airplanes, that currently requires revising the airplane flight manual 
to specify procedures for landing under certain conditions of gusty 
winds and turbulence. This amendment requires replacement of both 
Elevator and Aileron Computers (ELACs) having L80 standards with new 
ELACs having L81 standards, which terminates the requirements of the 
existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
activation of the high angle-of-attack protection during final approach 
for landing, which could result in loss of ability to flare properly 
during landings. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 22, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2001-08-26, 
amendment 39-12203 (66 FR 20912, April 26, 2001), which is applicable 
to certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, was published 
in the Federal Register on September 18, 2003 (68 FR 54691). The action 
proposed to require revising the airplane flight manual to specify 
procedures for landing under certain conditions of gusty winds and 
turbulence. The action also proposed to require replacement of both 
Elevator and Aileron Computers (ELACs) having L80 standards with new 
ELACs having L81 standards, which would terminate the requirements of 
the existing AD.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 350 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The AFM revision currently required by AD 2001-08-26 takes 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $22,750, or $65 per airplane.
    The new replacement required in this AD action takes approximately 
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at 
no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,750, or $65 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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

0
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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-12203 (66 FR 
20912, April 26, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-13390, to read as follows:

2003-25-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-13390. Docket 2002-NM-57-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2001-08-26, Amendment 39-12203.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes; 
certificated in any category; equipped with Elevator and Aileron 
Computer (ELAC) L80 Standard having part numbers listed in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-27-1135, dated June 29, 2001.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent activation of the high angle-of-attack protection 
during final approach for landing, which could result in loss of the

[[Page 70432]]

ability to flare properly during landings, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2001-08-26

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Within 10 days after May 11, 2001 (the effective date of AD 
2001-08-26, amendment 39-12203): Revise the Limitations Section of 
the AFM to incorporate the following procedures. This may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM. This 
action is required until accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD.

``FOR APPROACH TO RUNWAYS WITH KNOWN GUSTY ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY 
IF THESE CONDITIONS GENERATE VERTICAL GUSTS DUE TO THE SURROUNDING 
TERRAIN, OR
--REPORTED GUST WIND INCREMENT (MAX. WIND MINUS AVERAGE WIND) HIGHER 
THAN 10 KT, OR
--EXPECTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE ON SHORT FINAL,
THE FLIGHT CREW SHOULD STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:

    --USE CONF 3 FOR APPROACH AND LANDING,
    --MINIMUM VAPP IS VLS + 10 KT; THE RECOMMENDATION TO USE MANAGED 
SPEED REMAINS VALID,
    --CORRECT THE LANDING DISTANCE FOR THE SPEED INCREMENT,
    --IF ``SINK RATE'' GPWS WARNING OCCURS BELOW 200 FT, IMMEDIATELY 
INITIATE A GO AROUND.''

New Requirements of This AD

Replacement

    (b) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
both Elevator and Aileron Computers (ELACs) having L80 standards 
with new ELACs having L81 standards, by doing all the actions per 
paragraphs A., B., C., and D. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1135, dated June 29, 2001. 
Accomplishment of this replacement ends the requirements in 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

Part Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an ELAC having a part number listed in the ``Old 
Part Number'' column in the table specified in paragraph 2.C., 
``List of Components,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1135, 
dated June 29, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this 
AD.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per 
AD 2001-08-26, amendment 39-12203, are approved as alternative 
methods of compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise provided in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1135, dated 
June 29, 2001. 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-508(B), dated October 17, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 22, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31060 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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