2004-14-17: Thrust reversers and airplane flight manual (AFM)

2004-14-17 Airbus: Amendment 39-13726. Docket 2002-NM-39-AD. Supersedes AD 98-25-51, Amendment 39-10952. \n\n\tApplicability: The airplanes, certificated in any category, in the following table: \n\n\n\n\tNote 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 specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following: \n\nRestatement of Requirements of AD 98-25-51 \n\n\t(a) Within the next 4 flight cycles after December 28, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-25-51, amendment 39-10952), deactivate both thrust reversers in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 78-08, dated November 30, 1998. \n\n\t(b) Within the next 4 flight cycles after December 28, 1998, revise the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following: \n\n\t"The takeoff performance on wet and contaminated runways with thrust reversers deactivated shall be determined in accordance with Airbus Flight Operations Telex (FOT) 999.0124/98, dated November 30, 1998, as follows: \n\n\tFor takeoff on wet runways, use performance data in accordance with paragraph 4.1 of the FOT.\n \n\tFor takeoff on contaminated runways, use performance data inaccordance with paragraph 4.2 of the FOT. \n\n\t(Note: This supersedes any relief provided by the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).)" \n\n\tNote 2: The "FCOM" referenced in Airbus Flight Operations Telex (FOT) 999.0124/98, dated November 30, 1998, is Airbus Industrie Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM), Revision 27 for Airbus Model A310 series airplanes and Revision 22 for A300-600 series airplanes. (The revision number is indicated on the List of Effective Pages (LEP) of the FCOM.) \n\n\tNote 3: FAA letter ANM-01-116-63, dated April 4, 2001, was issued to Airbus to allow reactivation of thrust reversers in accordance with Airbus AOT 78-09, Revision 3, dated June 29, 1999, if the stow- latching minimum-force check is done after the serialized selector solenoid valve is installed. Achievement of these conditions is considered an acceptable method of compliance for paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, and is available for use by all operators of all affected airplanes. \n\nNew Requirements of This AD \n\nModification \n\n\t(c) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, install modifications related to an independent third line of defense on the thrust reversers, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 2 of this AD. The modifications involve retrofit of a new electrical circuit at four locations and installation of the synchronous shaft lock system and connection to the new electrical circuit. After the modifications have been installed, the thrust reversers may be reactivated, and the AFM limitation specified by paragraph (b) of this AD may be removed from the AFM. Table 2 follows: \n\n\n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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. \n\t(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in accordance with AD 98-25-51, amendment 39-10952, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD. \n\n\tNote 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. \n\nSpecial Flight Permits \n\n\t(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. \n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\n\t(f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be done in accordance with the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD. \n\n\n\n\t(1) The incorporation by reference of the service information listed in Table 4 of this AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\n\n\n\t(2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus All Operators Telex 78-08, dated November 30, 1998, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 28, 1998 (63 FR 70637, December 22, 1998).\n \n\t(3) Copies may be obtained from Airbus, 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 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr _locations.html . \n\n\tNote 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 2001-523(B), dated October 31, 2001. \n\nEffectiveDate \n\n\t(g) This amendment becomes effective on August 17, 2004.