Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4762-4764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0078; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-235-AD; 
Amendment 39-18084; AD 2015-02-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series 
airplanes. This AD requires revising the electrical emergency 
configuration procedure in the Emergency Procedures section of the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures for deploying the 
ram air turbine manually to provide sufficient hydraulic power and 
avoid constant speed motor/generator (CSM/G) shedding. This AD was 
prompted by an electrical load analysis that revealed that hydraulic 
power might not be sufficient to supply the CSM/G during slat/flap 
extension when only one engine is running. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent such a condition which, in conjunction with the loss of the 
main electrical system, could lead to the scenario where the flightcrew 
is not clearly warned that the electrical system has switched on the 
battery and thus has a limited duration that would allow a safe 
landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 13, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 13, 
2015.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 16, 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., 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 SAS, 
Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; 
email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this referenced service information at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.

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-2015-
0078; 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 
(telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0281, dated December 22, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all Airbus Model A330-
200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes. The MCAI 
states:

    The Constant Speed Motor/Generator (CSM/G), as installed on 
Airbus A330

[[Page 4763]]

aeroplanes, is qualified for an overload condition of 9.5kVA 
[kilovolt-ampere] for 30 minutes. This duration is sufficient to 
perform safe landing and a GO-AROUND. However, electrical load 
analysis revealed that the hydraulic power might not be sufficient 
to supply the CSM/G during slat/flap extension when only one engine 
is running.
    This condition, if not corrected, and in conjunction with the 
loss of main electrical system, could lead to the scenario where the 
crew is not clearly warned that the electrical system has switched 
on the battery and thus has a limited duration that would allow a 
safe landing.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued an 
Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Revision (TR) on A330 
aeroplane to update the electrical emergency configuration ``ELEC 
EMER CONFIG'' procedure to require the pilot to deploy the ram air 
turbine manually before setting the Landing Recovery to ON position 
to provide sufficient hydraulic power and avoid CSM/G shedding under 
worst-case operational conditions.
    Consequently, EASA issued AD 2014-0273 (http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2014_0273_superseded.pdf/AD_2014-0273_1) to require amendment of the AFM by incorporating the 
applicable Airbus TR.
    After that [EASA] AD was issued, EASA became aware that the 
reference to Airbus modification (mod) 47930 was insufficient to 
define which AFM TR is applicable to which aeroplane 
(configuration), as this mod can be embodied in service with Airbus 
Service Bulletin (SB) A330-28-3067.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2014-0273, which is superseded, and corrects 
the information included in Table 1.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0078.

Related Service Information

    Airbus has issued A330/A340 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary 
Revision (TR) TR427, UPDATE OF ELEC--EMER CONFIG PROCEDURE, Issue 1.0, 
dated November 7, 2014 (for airplanes in Airbus pre-modification 47930 
configuration or pre-Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3067 
configuration); and A330/A340 AFM TR TR428, UPDATE OF ELEC--EMER CONFIG 
PROCEDURE, Issue 1.0, dated November 7, 2014 (for airplanes in Airbus 
post-modification 47930 configuration or post-Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-28-3067 configuration). This service information describes updated 
electrical emergency configuration procedures in the AFM. You can find 
this information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0078.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    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 
hydraulic power might not be sufficient to supply the CSM/G during 
slat/flap extension when only one engine is running. This condition, in 
conjunction with the loss of the main electrical system, could lead to 
the scenario where the flightcrew is not clearly warned that the 
electrical system has switched on the battery and thus has a limited 
duration that would allow a safe landing. Therefore, we determined that 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0078; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-NM-235-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 based on 
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 91 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $7,735, or $85 per product.

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

    We 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 this AD:
    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);
    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.

[[Page 4764]]

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):

2015-02-17 Airbus: Amendment 39-18084. Docket No. FAA-2015-0078; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-235-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 13, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, all 
manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, and -
243F airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -
342, and -343 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by an electrical load analysis that 
revealed that hydraulic power might not be sufficient to supply the 
constant speed motor/generator (CSM/G) during slat/flap extension 
when only one engine is running. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
such a condition which, in conjunction with the loss of the main 
electrical system, could lead to the scenario where the flightcrew 
is not clearly warned that the electrical system has switched on the 
battery and thus has a limited duration that would allow a safe 
landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revise Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Emergency Procedures section of the Airbus A330 AFM to include the 
information in the applicable Airbus temporary revision (TR) 
specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD. This may be done 
by inserting a copy of the applicable TR specified in paragraph 
(g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD into the AFM. Operate the airplane 
according to the procedures in the applicable TR. When the 
information in the applicable TR has been included in the general 
revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the 
AFM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is 
identical to that in the TR, and the TR may be removed.
    (1) For airplanes in Airbus pre-modification 47930 configuration 
and pre-Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3067 configuration: Airbus 
A330/A340 AFM TR TR427, UPDATE OF ELEC--EMER CONFIG PROCEDURE, Issue 
1.0, dated November 7, 2014.
    (2) For airplanes in Airbus post-modification 47930 
configuration or post-Airbus Service Bulletin A330-28-3067 
configuration: Airbus A330/A340 AFM TR TR428, UPDATE OF ELEC--EMER 
CONFIG PROCEDURE, Issue 1.0, dated November 7, 2014.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (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: Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; fax 425-227-1149. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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 the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0281, dated December 22, 2014, for 
related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-0078.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus A330/A340 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary 
Revision TR427, UPDATE OF ELEC--EMER CONFIG PROCEDURE, Issue 1.0, 
dated November 7, 2014.
    (ii) Airbus A330/A340 AFM Temporary Revision TR428, UPDATE OF 
ELEC--EMER CONFIG PROCEDURE, Issue 1.0, dated November 7, 2014.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 9, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01178 Filed 1-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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