81 FR 92749 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 244 (December 20, 2016)

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-22- 06 for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2015-22-06 currently requires revising the After Start Normal Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures that address latent failures in the Spoiler and Elevator Computer (SEC). Since we issued AD 2015-22-06, there have been reports that some maintenance messages pointed out the loss of elevator servo control monitoring performed by SEC 1, SEC 2, or both, during the engine start. This proposed AD would add a requirement to install updated SEC software. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 92749-92753]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30018]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9508; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-065-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-22-
06 for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 
2015-22-06 currently requires revising the After Start Normal 
Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide 
procedures that address latent failures in the Spoiler and Elevator 
Computer (SEC). Since we issued AD 2015-22-06, there have been reports 
that some maintenance messages pointed out the loss of elevator servo

[[Page 92750]]

control monitoring performed by SEC 1, SEC 2, or both, during the 
engine start. This proposed AD would add a requirement to install 
updated SEC software. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 3, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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, 
Airworthiness Office-EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; 
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-
9508; 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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1405; 
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-2016-9508; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-065-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

    On October 22, 2015, we issued AD 2015-22-06, Amendment 39-18311 
(80 FR 68429, November 5, 2015) (``AD 2015-22-06''). AD 2015-22-06 
requires revision of the AFM intended to address an unsafe condition 
that can occur in the SEC for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 
A321 series airplanes.
    Since we issued AD 2015-22-06, there have been reports that some 
maintenance messages were recorded within the Post Flight Report (PFR) 
that pointed out the loss of elevator servo control monitoring 
performed by SEC 1, SEC 2, or both, during the engine start.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive, 2016-0056, dated March 18, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model 
A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Following the introduction of new Spoiler and Elevator Computer 
(SEC) hardware C Part Number (P/N) B372CAM0100 with software (SW) 
standards 122, 124 and 125 (identified by P/N B372CAM0101, P/N 
B372CAM0102 and P/N B372CAM0103, respectively, and hereafter 
referred to as an ``affected SEC software standard'' in this [EASA] 
AD), some airlines reported receiving maintenance messages, e.g. 
``SEC OR WIRING FROM L or R ELEV POS MON XDCR'' and/or ``SEC OR 
WIRING FROM G or Y ELEV POS XDCR'', which are associated with servo 
control or elevator transducer monitoring. Such messages are 
triggered by a short data inconsistency due to power transients, 
when the engines are started.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an undetected 
loss of redundancy during flight if an affected SEC cannot control 
the related elevator servo control(s), possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued AD 2015-
0191 [which corresponds to AD 2015-22-06] to require amendment of 
the applicable [Airbus] Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the 
flight crew procedure necessary to recover full SEC redundancy.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, to fix the software deficiency, 
SEC software standard 126 (identified by P/N B372CAM0104) was 
developed, which is embodied in production through Airbus 
modification (mod) 161208 (installation of SEC software standard 
126), and introduced in service through Airbus Service Bulletin (SB) 
A320-27-1252.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the AFM 
change requirements of EASA AD 2015-0191, which is superseded, and 
requires the removal and/or upgrade of [an affected] SEC.

    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-
9508.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued the following service information:
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1252, Revision 01, dated 
February 18, 2016.
     Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, dated December 18, 
2015.
    This service information provides information for identifying 
affected SECs and updating the software on affected SECs. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
configurations.
    Airbus also issued A318/A319/A320/A321 Temporary Revision TR572, 
Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 2015, to the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airplane Flight Manual. This service information describes the reset of 
SEC 1 and SEC 2 that must be done after engines start.
    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

[[Page 92751]]

develop on other products of these same type designs.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Subtask 271257-832-006-001, Instructions ``2'' and ``3,'' in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1257, 
dated December 18, 2015, have software part numbers that are incorrect. 
Paragraph (n) of this proposed AD provides the corrected part numbers. 
The correct part numbers were provided by Airbus in Operators 
Information Transmission (OIT) 16-0001, Revision 00, dated January 20, 
2016.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 959 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                             Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                   Action                                             Labor cost                            Parts cost        product        operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM revision (retained action from AD 2015-  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...........................              $0             $85         $81,515
 22-06).
Removal and replacement of SEC (new          4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340.........................               0             340         326,060
 proposed action).
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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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2015-22-06, Amendment 39-18311 (80 FR 68429, November 5, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2016-9508; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-
065-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 3, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-22-06, Amendment 39-18311 (80 FR 68429, 
November 5, 2015) (``AD 2015-22-06'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any 
category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, 
all manufacturer serial numbers.
    (1) Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, 
and -133 airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 
airplanes.
    (4) Airbus Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, 
and -232 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that some maintenance messages 
were recorded within the Post Flight Report (PFR) that pointed out 
the loss of elevator servo control monitoring performed by Spoiler 
and Elevator Computer (SEC) 1, SEC 2, or both, during the engine 
start. We are issuing this AD to prevent an undetected loss of 
redundancy during flight if an affected SEC cannot control the 
related elevator servo control(s), possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Airplane Flight Manual Revision, With Revised Compliance 
Language

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2015-22-06, with revised compliance language. For airplanes equipped 
with SEC hardware C part number (P/N) B372CAM0100 with software 
standards 122 (P/N B372CAM0101), 124 (P/N B372CAM0102), or 125 (P/N 
B372CAM0103), on SEC position 1 or 2, or both: Within 30 days after 
November 20, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-22-06), revise the 
After Start Normal Procedures section of the airplane flight manual 
(AFM) to include the statement specified in figure 1 to paragraph 
(g) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD, or 
AD 2015-22-06, or Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Temporary Revision 
TR572, Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 2015, to the Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 AFM, into the applicable AFM.

[[Page 92752]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP20DE16.003


    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: When a statement identical 
to that in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD has been included in 
the After Start Normal Procedures section of the general revisions 
of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and 
this AD, or AD 2015-22-06, or Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Temporary 
Revision TR572, Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 2015, may be removed 
from the AFM.


    Note 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Airbus Operations 
Engineering Bulletin OEB-50 provides additional information on the 
subject addressed by this AD.

(h) Retained Parts Installation Limitation, With No Change

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2015-22-06, with no change. For all airplanes: As of November 20, 
2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-22-06), do not install SEC 
hardware C P/N B372CAM0100 with software standard 122 (P/N 
B372CAM0101), 124 (P/N B372CAM0102), or 125 (P/N B372CAM0103), on 
SEC position 1 or 2, or both, on any airplane, unless the AFM of the 
airplane is revised concurrently with that installation, as required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) New Requirement of This AD: Replacement of Software

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, comply with 
the actions in paragraphs (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (1) For an airplane that has received Airbus modification 39429 
(installation of SEC hardware C P/N B372CAM0100) in production: 
Install SEC software standard 126, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-1252, 
Revision 01, dated February 18, 2016.
    (2) For an airplane that has not received Airbus modification 
39429 in production: Inspect to determine whether an affected SEC 
software standard is installed. Do the inspection in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1257, dated December 18, 2015, except as required by paragraph (n) 
of this AD. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable 
in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the SEC C can be 
conclusively determined from that review. If an affected SEC 
software standard is found installed, replace the affected software 
standard using an installation 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).

(j) New Requirement of This AD: Compliance for Airplanes Having Airbus 
Modification 161208 Embodied in Production

    An airplane on which Airbus modification 161208 has been 
embodied in production is compliant with the requirements of 
paragraph (i) of this AD, provided it is determined that no affected 
SEC software standard, as identified in paragraph (g) of this AD, is 
installed on that airplane.

(k) New Requirement of This AD: Disposition of AFM After Airplane 
Modification

    After modification of an airplane as required by paragraph (i) 
of this AD, remove the information specified in Airbus A318/A319/
A320/A321 TR572, Issue 1.0, dated August 13, 2015, to the Airbus 
A318/A319/A320/A321 AFM from the AFM of that airplane.

(l) New Requirement of This AD: Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane an affected SEC software standard, or a SEC hardware C 
hosting an affected SEC software standard.

(m) New Provision of This AD: Installation of Equivalent Software and 
Hardware

    Installation on an airplane of a SEC software standard, or of a 
SEC hardware standard, approved after the effective date of this AD, 
is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (i) 
of this AD for that airplane, provided the conditions specified in 
paragraphs (m)(1) and (m)(2) of this AD are met.
    (1) The software and hardware standard, as applicable, is 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA; and
    (2) Replacement of the affected software standard is done using 
an installation method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA DOA.

(n) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Subtask 271257-832-006-001 of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-
1257, dated December 18, 2015, includes incorrect instructions. This 
AD requires that those instructions be followed as specified in 
paragraphs (n)(1) and (n)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Subtask 271257-832-006-001 instruction ``2'': If SEC C 
126 software P/N B372CAM0104 is found, no further action is required 
by this AD.
    (2) For Subtask 271257-832-006-001 instruction ``3'': If SEC C 
122 software P/N B372CAM0101, SEC C 124 software P/N B372CAM0102, or 
SEC C 125 software P/N B372CAM0103 is found, do corrective actions 
using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus's EASA 
DOA.

(o) 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: Sanjay 
Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1405; 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 EASA; or 
Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include 
the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information 
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those 
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any 
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. 
Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the 
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as 
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

[[Page 92753]]

(p) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(q) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0056, dated March 18, 2016, 
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-2016-9508.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 
61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 7, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30018 Filed 12-19-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P