AD 98-20-29

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Industrie Model A320 series airplanes, that currently requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit automatic landings in configuration 3 (CONF 3). This amendment limits the applicability of the existing AD, and adds a new revision to the AFM to indicate that automatic landings in CONF 3 are prohibited and to specify an increased minimum runway visual range for airplanes on which certain modifications have not been accomplished. This amendment also requires eventual replacement of the existing spoiler elevator computers with improved parts, and insertion of new pages into the AFM that correct landing distances required for automatic landings in CONF 3. 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 pitch-up of the airplane due to activation of the spoilers during an automatic landing, which, if not corrected, could result in tail strikes and structural damage to the airplane.

Final rule.

98-20-29 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10796. Docket 97-NM-42-AD. Supersedes AD 92-19-13, Amendment 39-8371.

Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes on which Airbus Industrie Modification 23132, 24348, or 24511 has not been accomplished; 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)(1) 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 specificproposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent pitch-up of the airplane due to activation of the spoilers during an automatic landing, which, if not corrected, could result in tail strikes and structural damage to the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 60 days after October 9, 1992 (the effective date of AD 92-19-13, amendment 39-8371), revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

"Use of automatic landing in configuration 3 (CONF 3) is prohibited."

(b) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the FAA-approved Airbus A320 AFM by inserting Airbus A319/320/321 AFM Temporary Revision 9.99.99/02, Issue 02, dated April 8, 1997, into the AFM. After revising the AFM, the AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed fromthe AFM.

(c) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD. After the actions specified by paragraph (c) of this AD have been accomplished, the AFM revision required by paragraph (b) of this AD (Airbus A320 AFM Temporary Revision 9.99.99/02, Issue 02, dated April 8, 1997) may be removed from the AFM.

(1) Replace the existing spoiler elevator computers (SEC's) in the aft and forward electronics racks with new, improved SEC's, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A320-27-1081, Revision 2, dated September 6, 1995; or A320-27-1073, dated January 20, 1995; as applicable.

(2) After the accomplishment of the actions specified by paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, prior to further flight, revise Section 5.06.00 of the Airbus A320 AFM by inserting Section 5.06.00, page 06, dated February 10, 1996, and page 6A, dated January 20, 1997.

NOTE 2: Operators should ensure that the units inwhich the distance measurements are listed in AFM Section 5.06.00, pages 06 and 6A, are consistent with the units of measurement that the operators use in their operations.

(d) (1) 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.

(d) (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in accordance with AD 92-19-13, amendment 39-8371, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

NOTE 3: 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) Except as provided by paragraphs (a) and (c)(2) of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus A319/320/321 AFM Temporary Revision (TR) 9.99.99/02, Issue 02, dated April 8, 1997; Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1081, Revision 2, dated September 6, 1995; and Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1073, dated January 20, 1995; as applicable. Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1081, Revision 2, dated September 6, 1995, contains the following list of effective pages:

Page Number
Revision Level
Shown on Page
Date
Shown on Page
1, 3, 4, 6-10,
13-15
2
September 6, 1995
2, 5, 11, 12
Original
January 16, 1995

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 beobtained 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 93-203-049(B)R3, dated July 2, 1997.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on October 30, 1998.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 92-19-13, amendment 39-8371 (57 FR 40601, September 4, 1992), which is applicable to all Airbus Industrie Model A320 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on July 23, 1998 (63 FR 39540). The action proposed to continue to require a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit automatic landings in configuration 3 (CONF 3). The action also proposed to limit the applicability of the existing AD, and add a new revision to the AFM to indicate that automatic landings in CONF 3 are prohibited and to specify an increased minimum runway visual range for airplanes on which certain modifications have not been accomplished. The action also proposed to require eventual replacement of the existing spoiler elevator computers with improved parts, and insertion of new pages into the AFM that correct landing distances required for automatic landings in CONF 3.

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

The commenters support the proposed rule.

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 as proposed.

Cost Impact
There are approximately 93 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The incorporation of the temporary revision into the AFM that is currently required by AD 92-19-13, and retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this requirement of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,580, or $60 per airplane.

The incorporation of the new temporary revision into the AFM that is required in this AD will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this requirement of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,580, or $60 per airplane.

The replacement of the spoiler elevator computers (SEC s) that is required in this AD action will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this requirement of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $16,740, or $180 per airplane.

The incorporation of AFM Section 5.06.00, pages 06 and 6A, into the AFM that is required in this AD action will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this requirement of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,580, or $60 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 removing amendment 39-8371 (57 FR 40601, September 4, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-10796, to read as follows: