Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52750-52752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18493]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5462; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-131-AD; 
Amendment 39-18606; AD 2016-16-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter and -300 series airplanes; and 
Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
reports of spurious terrain awareness warning system (TAWS) alerts 
during approach and takeoff for airplanes fitted with the terrain and 
traffic collision avoidance system with transponder (T3CAS) when the 
T3CAS is constantly powered ``ON'' for more than 149 hours. This AD 
requires repetitive on-ground power cycle of the T3CAS. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent spurious TAWS alerts (collision prediction and 
alerting (CPA)), or missing legitimate CPA, which could increase flight 
crew workload during critical landing or takeoff phases, and could 
possibly result in reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 14, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5462.

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-2016-
5462; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model A330-
200, -200 Freighter and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -
300 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
April 12, 2016 (81 FR 21484) (``the NPRM'').
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2015-0125, dated July 1, 2015; corrected July 3, 2015 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model 
A330-200, -200 Freighter and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 
and -300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Cases were reported of spurious Terrain Awareness Warning System 
(TAWS) alerts during approach and take off, with aeroplane fitted 
with the Terrain and Traffic Collision Avoidance System with 
Transponder (T3CAS). Investigations on the unit were launched with 
the manufacturer of the system (ACSS). The results of the laboratory 
investigation confirmed that an internal frozen Global Positioning 
System position anomaly occurs when the T3CAS is constantly powered 
`ON' for more than 149 hours. The origin for this defect was 
identified as a counter limitation related to a T3CAS internal 
software misbehaviour, not self-detected.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to spurious TAWS 
alerts (Collision Prediction and Alerting (CPA), or missing 
legitimate CPA), which could increase flight crew workload during 
critical landing or take off phases, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    Prompted by these reports, Airbus issued Alert Operators 
Transmission (AOT) A34L003-13 to provide instructions to accomplish 
an on ground repetitive power cycle of the T3CAS before exceeding 
120 hours of continuous power, and EASA issued AD 2014-0242 to 
require repetitive on ground power cycles of the T3CAS unit.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, the AOT A34L003-13 revision 1 
has been issued which extend[s] the applicability to A340 aeroplanes 
modified in-service in accordance with Airbus SB 34-4282 (T3CAS std 
1.2 unit installation). It was also identified that [EASA] AD 2014-
0242 does not refer to affected A330 in-service aeroplanes on which 
SB A330-34-3271 or SB A330-34-3286 or SB A330-34-3301 have been 
embodied.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the same 
required actions

[[Page 52751]]

as EASA AD 2014-0242, which is superseded, expands the Applicability 
of the [EASA] AD to include post SB A330-34-3271, post SB A330-34-
3286 and post SB A330-34-3301 A330 aeroplanes, and post SB A340-34-
4282 A340 aeroplanes.

* * * * *
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5462.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received. The commenters, Air Line 
Pilots Association International and Mr. Scott Corner, supported the 
NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A34L003-13, 
Revision 01, dated May 26, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for an on-ground power cycle of the T3CAS. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 3 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. Required parts will cost about $0 per product. 
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $255, 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.

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):

2016-16-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-18606; Docket No. FAA-2016-5462; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-131-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 14, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Airbus airplanes, certificated 
in any category.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -223F, -243F, 
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, 
all manufacturer serial numbers on which Airbus Modification 202097 
(T3CAS Standard 1.1) or Modification 202849 (T3CAS Standard 1.2) has 
been embodied in production; or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-
3271; Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3286; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-34-3301 have been embodied in-service.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers on which Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-34-4282 (T3CAS Standard 1.2) has been embodied in-
service.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of spurious terrain awareness 
warning system (TAWS) alerts during approach and takeoff for 
airplanes fitted with the terrain and traffic collision avoidance 
system with transponder (T3CAS) when the T3CAS is constantly powered 
``ON'' for more than 149 hours. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
spurious TAWS alerts (collision prediction and alerting (CPA)), or 
missing legitimate CPA, which could increase flight crew workload 
during critical landing or takeoff phases, and could possibly result 
in reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) On-Ground Power Cycle

    For Model A330 and A340 airplanes equipped with a T3CAS unit 
having a part number specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this 
AD: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, or within 
120 hours of continuous power of the T3CAS after installation of the 
T3CAS, as specified in any applicable service information in 
paragraph (h) of this AD, whichever occurs later, do an on-ground 
power cycle of the T3CAS, in accordance with the instructions of 
Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A34L003-13, Revision 01, 
dated May 26, 2015. Thereafter, repeat the on-ground power cycle of 
the T3CAS at intervals not to exceed 120 hours of continuous power 
of the T3CAS.
    (1) Affected T3CAS Units are those having part number (P/N) 
9005000-10101, Software Standard 1.1.
    (2) Affected T3CAS Units are those having P/N 9005000-10202, 
Software Standard 1.2.

[[Page 52752]]

(h) Service Information Used To Install Part Affected

    Paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4) of this AD identify the service 
information that was used to install the T3CAS, as specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3271.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3286.
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-34-3301.
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-34-4282.

(i) Parts Installation Limitations

    As of the effective date of this AD, installation on an airplane 
of a T3CAS unit having a part number specified in paragraph (g) of 
this AD is acceptable, provided that, following installation, the 
T3CAS unit is power cycled on a recurrent basis, as required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Airbus AOT A34L003-13, dated November 25, 
2013.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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.
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI)) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0125, dated July 1, 2015; 
corrected July 3, 2015, 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-2016-5462.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) 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 Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A34L003-13, 
Revision 01, dated May 26, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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 July 25, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18493 Filed 8-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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