81 FR 21484 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 70 (April 12, 2016)

We propose to adopt 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 proposed 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 proposed AD would require repetitive on-ground power cycle of the T3CAS. We are proposing 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 possibly result in reduced control of the airplane.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21484-21486]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08255]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 21484]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5462; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-131-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt 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 proposed 
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 proposed AD would require repetitive on-ground power cycle of the 
T3CAS. We are proposing 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 possibly result in reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 27, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     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 NPRM, 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-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 proposed 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: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-5462; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-131-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    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 on 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.

[[Page 21485]]

    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the same 
required actions 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued AOT A34L003-13, Revision 1, 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed 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 proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2016-5462; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-
131-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 27, 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 take off 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 (Collison Prediction and Alerting (CPA), or 
missing legitimate CPA), which could increase flight crew workload 
during critical landing or take off phases, and possibly result in 
reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Ground Power Cycle

    For Model A330 and A340 airplanes equipped with a T3CAS unit 
having a part number specified in paragraphs (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 1, 
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.

(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.

[[Page 21486]]

    (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, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(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. 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.

 (l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0125, dated July 1, 2015, 
corrected on 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) 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 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 30, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08255 Filed 4-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P