Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58253-58256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21650]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19184; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-159-AD; 
Amendment 39-13811; AD 2004-20-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. This AD requires 
revising the airplane flight manual to provide procedures for the 
flightcrew to follow in the event of the loss of all liquid crystal 
display (LCD) units on airplanes equipped with the EIS2 standard of 
electronic instrument system. This AD is prompted by reports of the 
brief but total loss of all LCD units during cruise on airplanes 
equipped with the EIS2 standard of electronic instrument system. We are 
issuing this AD to provide procedures to the flightcrew to restore 
operation of these LCD units and prevent prolonged loss of critical 
flight information to the flightcrew and the consequent reduced ability 
of the flightcrew to control the airplane during adverse flight 
conditions.

DATES: Effective October 15, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
October 15, 2004.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 29, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. You can 
examine this information at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    You can examine the contents of this 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., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old

[[Page 58254]]

Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Examining the Docket

    You can 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) 64-
5227) is 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 DMS receives them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the 
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330 and 
A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that there have been several 
reports of total loss of all six liquid crystal display (LCD) units for 
the electronic instrument system (EIS) of standard EIS2 during cruise 
for a short period of time. The flightcrew used the standby 
instruments, and the LCD units were eventually recovered. Subsequent 
investigation revealed that the three display management computers had 
received erroneous data from one LCD unit. Loss of all LCD units, if 
not corrected, could result in loss of critical flight information and 
the reduced ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane during 
adverse operating conditions.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the following temporary revisions (TRs) to the 
Airbus A330 and A340 airplane flight manuals (AFMs), as applicable:

                                                       TRs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TR--                         Dated--               For model--                That are--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.02.00/23.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A330 series airplanes.  Not equipped with FWC STD
                                                                                      K7/486 (Airbus
                                                                                      Modification 49193).
4.02.00/24.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A330 series airplanes.  Equipped with FWC K7/486
                                                                                      (Airbus Modification
                                                                                      49193).
4.02.00/38.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A340 series airplanes.  Not equipped with FWC STD
                                                                                      L10/486 (Airbus
                                                                                      Modification 49192).
4.02.00/39.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A340 series airplanes.  Equipped with FWC STD L10/
                                                                                      486 (Airbus Modification
                                                                                      49192).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The TRs provide procedures for the flightcrew to follow in the 
event of the loss of all LCD units on airplanes equipped with the EIS2 
standard of electronic instrument system. The DGAC mandated 
incorporation of the TRs and issued French airworthiness directive F-
2004-117, dated July 21, 2004, 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 
Sec.  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 provide procedures to the 
flightcrew to restore operation of these LCD units and prevent 
prolonged loss of critical flight information to the flightcrew and the 
consequent reduced ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane 
during adverse flight conditions. This AD requires revising the AFM to 
incorporate the TRs described previously.

Differences Between FAA and DGAC Airworthiness Directives

    The DGAC airworthiness directive mandates changes to the master 
minimum equipment list (MMEL). But this (FAA) AD will not mandate those 
MMEL changes because the limits imposed by the FAA-approved MMEL meet 
or exceed those mandated by the French airworthiness directive.
    Although the DGAC airworthiness directive mandates the immediate 
incorporation of the TRs' operational limitations, this (FAA) AD would 
allow up to 10 days for compliance. We find that a 10-day compliance 
time will provide the time necessary for operators to accomplish the 
requirements of this AD without adversely affecting safety.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, we may consider further rulemaking then.

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 under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19184; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-159-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
of those comments.
    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

[[Page 58255]]

personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our docket 
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 can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications with you. You can get more information about plain 
language at http://www/faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

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. 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

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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):

2004-20-06 Airbus: Amendment 39-13811. Docket No. FAA-2004-19184; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-159-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 15, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to airplanes, certificated in any category, 
that are listed in Table 1 of this AD.

                                             Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Modified as applicable by either--
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Airbus model--                 Airbus         Or Airbus service
                                    modification--        bulletin--          Revision--            Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330 and A340 series airplanes..  47524, 50161,       A330-31-3056......  Original..........  December 20, 2002.
                                   50183, 50616, or
                                   51153.
                                                                          01................  January 31, 2003.
                                                                          02................  March 24, 2003.
                                                      A330-31-3057......  Original..........  July 10, 2003.
                                                                          01................  October 15, 2003.
                                                                          02................  December 19, 2003.
                                                      A340-31-5001......  Original..........  July 10, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of the brief but total loss 
of all liquid crystal display (LCD) units during cruise on airplanes 
equipped with the EIS2 standard of electronic instrument system. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to provide procedures to the flightcrew to 
restore operation of these LCD units and prevent prolonged loss of 
critical flight information to the flightcrew and the consequent 
reduced ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane during 
adverse flight conditions.

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.

AFM Revision

    (f) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations section of the Airbus A330 and A340 Airplane Flight 
Manuals (AFMs) by inserting a copy of the applicable temporary 
revision (TR) listed in Table 2 of this AD into the AFM. When the 
information in the TR is included in the general revisions of the 
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the TR 
may be removed from the AFM.

                                                  Table 2.--TRs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Use TR--                       Dated--               For model--                That are--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.02.00/23.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A330 series airplanes.  Not equipped with FWC STD
                                                                                      K7/486 (Airbus
                                                                                      Modification 49193).
4.02.00/24.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A330 series airplanes.  Equipped with FWC STD K7/
                                                                                      486 (Airbus Modification
                                                                                      49193).
4.02.00/38.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A340 series airplanes.  Not equipped with FWC STD
                                                                                      L10/486 (Airbus
                                                                                      Modification 49192).
4.02.00/39.........................  June 28, 2004.........  A340 series airplanes.  Equipped with FWC STD L10/
                                                                                      486 (Airbus Modification
                                                                                      49192).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 58256]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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.

Related Information

    (h) French airworthiness directive F-2004-117, dated July 21, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) Unless the AD specifies otherwise, you must use the 
temporary revisions to the applicable Airbus A330 or A340 Airplane 
Flight Manual, listed in Table 3 of this AD, to perform the actions 
that are required by this AD:

                  Table 3.--Incorporation by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Temporary revision--                        Date--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.02.00/23.............................  June 28, 2004.
4.02.00/24.............................  June 28, 2004.
4.02.00/38.............................  June 28, 2004.
4.02.00/39.............................  June 28, 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation 
by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service information, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. 
You can review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Nassif Building, Washington, DC; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at 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 September 20, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-21650 Filed 9-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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