Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3153-3155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00714]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0924; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-228-AD; 
Amendment 39-18067; AD 2014-25-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This 
emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators 
of these airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight 
manual to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for abnormal 
Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot). This AD was prompted by a report of 
Angle of Attack (AoA) probes jamming on an in-service Airbus Model A321 
airplane. Jamming of the two AoA probes during climb is attributed to 
water freezing under the AoA vane slinger, and led to activation of the 
Alpha Prot while the Mach number increased, which resulted in an 
airplane pitch down per design. We are issuing this AD to ensure that 
the flightcrew has procedures to counteract the pitch down order due to 
abnormal activation of the Alpha Prot. An abnormal Alpha Prot, if not 
corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective February 6, 2015 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2014-25-51, issued on December 10, 2014, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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-2014-
0924; or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office 
(phone: 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: 

Discussion

    On December 10, 2014, we issued Emergency AD 2014-25-51, which 
requires revising the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew 
of emergency procedures for abnormal Alpha Prot. This emergency AD was 
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
airplanes.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued Emergency 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0266-E, dated December 9, 2014 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all Model A318, A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported where an Airbus A321 aeroplane 
encountered a blockage of two Angle of Attack (AoA) probes during 
climb, leading to activation of the Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot) 
while the Mach number increased. The flightcrew managed to regain 
full control and the flight landed uneventfully.
    When Alpha Prot is activated due to blocked AoA probes, the 
flight control laws order a continuous nose down pitch rate that, in 
a worst case scenario, cannot be stopped with backward sidestick 
inputs, even in the full backward position. If the Mach number 
increases during a nose down order, the AoA value of the Alpha Prot 
will continue to decrease. As a result, the flight control laws will 
continue to order a nose down pitch rate, even if the speed is above 
minimum selectable speed, known as VLS.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Airbus * * * [has] developed a 
specific Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) procedure, which has been 
published in AFM Temporary Revision (TR) No. 502.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires amendment of 
the applicable AFM [to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures 
for abnormal Alpha Prot].
    This is considered to be an interim action and further [EASA] AD 
action may follow.

FAA's Determination and AD Requirements

    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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because an 
abnormal Alpha Prot, if not corrected, could result in loss of control 
of the airplane. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for 
prior public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2014-0924 and 
Directorate

[[Page 3154]]

Identifier 2014-NM-228-AD at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 953 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM revision......................  1 work-hour X $85 per                  $0              $85          $81,005
                                     hour = $85.
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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

    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 this AD:
    (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),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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):

2014-25-51 Airbus: Amendment 39-18067; Docket No. FAA-2014-0924; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-228-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 6, 2015 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD 2014-25-51, issued on December 10, 2014, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of Angle of Attack (AoA) probes 
jamming on an in-service Airbus Model A321 airplane. Jamming of the 
two AoA probes during climb is attributed to water freezing under 
the AoA vane slinger, and led to activation of the Alpha Protection 
(Alpha Prot) while the Mach number increased, which resulted in an 
airplane pitch down per design. We are issuing this AD to ensure the 
flightcrew has procedures to counteract the pitch down order due to 
abnormal activation of the Alpha Prot. An abnormal Alpha Prot, if 
not corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    Within 2 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
AFM to incorporate procedures to address undue activation of Alpha 
Prot by inserting the text specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of 
this AD into the Emergency Procedures section of the applicable AFM, 
to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for abnormal Alpha 
Prot. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into 
the AFM. When a statement identical to the text specified in figure 
1 to paragraph (g) of this AD is included in the general revisions 
of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, and 
the text specified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD may be 
removed.

[[Page 3155]]



           Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--AFM Procedure
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<bullet> At any time, with a speed above VLS, if the aircraft goes to a
 continuous nose down pitch rate that cannot be stopped with backward
 sidestick inputs, immediately:
    Keep on one ADR.
    Turn off two ADRs.
 
<bullet> If the Alpha Max strip (red) hides completely the Alpha Prot
 strip (black and amber) in a stabilized wings-level flight path
 (without an increase in load factor):
    Keep on one ADR.
    Turn off two ADRs.
    In case of dispatch with one ADR inoperative, switch only one ADR to
     OFF.
 
<bullet> CAUTION RISK OF ERRONEOUS DISPLAY OF THE VSW STRIP (RED AND
 BLACK)
 
Consider using the Flight Path Vector (FPV).
<bullet> If the Alpha Prot strip (black and amber) rapidly moves by more
 than 30 kt during flight maneuvers (with an increase in load factor),
 with AP ON and speed brakes retracted:
    Keep on one ADR.
    Turn off two ADRs.
    In case of dispatch with one ADR inoperative, switch only one ADR to
     OFF.
 
CAUTION RISK OF ERRONEOUS DISPLAY OF THE VSW STRIP (RED AND BLACK)
 
Consider using the Flight Path Vector (FPV).
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(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(i) Other FAA Provisions

    (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. 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) 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 EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the 
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, 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.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 7, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00714 Filed 1-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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