Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58251-58253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21651]



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Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 189 / Thursday, September 30, 2004 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 58251]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19183; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-158-AD; 
Amendment 39-13810; AD 2004-20-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 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 a certain 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 that 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 a certain publication 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 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) 647-
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 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 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 A318, A319, A320, and A321 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 a certain EIS2 standard 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 to the flightcrew and the reduced 
ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane during adverse 
operating conditions.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Temporary Revision (TR) 4.02.00/22, dated June 
22, 2004, to the A318/319/320/321 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). The TR 
provides procedures for the flightcrew to follow in the event of the 
loss of all LCD units on airplanes equipped with a certain EIS2 
standard of electronic instrument system. The DGAC mandated 
incorporation of the TR and issued French airworthiness directive F-
2004-104 R1, dated August 18, 2004, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    The DGAC advises that a new EIS2 standard, 4.2, has been developed 
to address the problems associated with

[[Page 58252]]

loss of the LCD units. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31A1220, dated July 
2, 2004 (reference Airbus Modification 34571), describes procedures for 
installing EIS2 standard 4.2, which eliminates the need for the AFM 
revision described above.

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 incorporation of the 
TR described previously, unless the new EIS2 standard is installed.

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 TR's 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. The DGAC is considering 
mandating the new EIS standard on those airplanes. We may consider 
further rulemaking at that time.

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-2004-19183; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-158-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 
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):

2004-20-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-13810. Docket No. FAA-2004-19183; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-158-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.

[[Page 58253]]



                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Modified by Airbus     Or Airbus service
       Airbus model--            modification--          bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A318, A319, A320, and A321    30368 or 31495......  A320-31-1193, dated
 series airplanes.                                   October 1, 2003; or
                                                     A320-31A1198, dated
                                                     July 11, 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 a certain 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 A318/319/320/321 Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of Temporary Revision (TR) 
4.02.00/22, dated June 22, 2004, 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.

EIS2 Standard 4.2

    (g) For airplanes on which EIS2 standard 4.2 (Airbus 
Modification 34571) is installed, the requirements of paragraph (f) 
of this AD do not apply. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-31A1220, dated 
July 2, 2004, provides procedures for installing EIS2 standard 4.2 
on in-service airplanes. The TR required by paragraph (f) of this AD 
may be removed from the AFM if EIS2 standard 4.2 is later installed.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) 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

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2004-104 R1, dated August 
18, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Airbus Temporary Revision 4.02.00/22, dated 
June 22, 2004, to the A318/319/320/321 Airplane Flight Manual, to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. 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. 04-21651 Filed 9-29-04; 8:45 am]
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