AD 97-25-17

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 and A321 series airplanes, that requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include procedures for the flightcrew to follow in the event of radio altimeter height malfunction. This amendment also requires replacement of certain radio altimeter antennas with improved antennas, at which time the AFM revision will no longer be required. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent output of erroneous radio altimeter height information to the flightcrew and autopilot, which could result in reduced ability of the flightcrew to cope with adverse operating conditions.

Final rule.

97-25-17 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10242. Docket 97-NM-183-AD.

Applicability: Model A320 and A321 series airplanes equipped with COLLINS radio altimeter antennas having part number (P/N) 622-8701-002 and a serial number below 2014, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent output of erroneous radio altimeter height information to the flightcrew and autopilot, due to inadequate antenna solder connections, which could result in reduced ability of the flightcrew to cope with adverse operating conditions, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating Airbus A319/320/321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/13, dated October 18, 1996, into the AFM to provide procedures for the flightcrew to follow in the event of radio altimeter malfunction.

(b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace any COLLINS radio altimeter antenna having P/N 622-8701-002, a serial number below 2014, and white paint on the inner side of the C-sink hole with a new antenna having the same P/N that is fitted withmetallic C-sink inserts in its attaching holes; in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-03, dated February 20, 1996. Accomplishment of the actions specified in this paragraph constitutes terminating action for the AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a COLLINS radio altimeter antenna having P/N 622-8701-002 and a serial number below 2014, unless the antenna is fitted with metallic C-sink inserts in its attaching holes.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus A319/320/321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/13, dated October 18, 1996; and Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 34-03, dated February 20, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive (CN) 96- 172-084(B), dated August 28, 1996.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on January 20, 1998.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 and A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 1, 1997 (62 FR 51383). That action proposed to require a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include procedures for the flightcrew to follow in the event of radio altimeter height malfunction. That action also proposed to require replacement of certain radio altimeter antennas with improved antennas, at which time the AFM revision would no longer be required.

Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the two comments received.

Both commenters support the proposed rule.

Service Information Date
One commenter, Airbus, points out that Airbus A319/320/321 Flight Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 2.05.00/13 was approved by the Direction G n rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, on October 18, 1996. [Paragraph (a) of the proposal indicates that the TR is undated.] The FAA has revised paragraph (a) of this final rule to specify the date provided by Airbus.

Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 50 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required AFM revision, and 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the antenna replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,000, or $120 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113,44701.
" 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: