2012-21-15: Flight controls; Instruments

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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): 2012-21-15 Airbus: Amendment 39-17231; Docket No. FAA-2011-0518; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-150-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective December 14, 2012. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes; certificated in any category. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight controls; and 31, Instruments. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by events of excessive alternating rudder pedal inputs and consequent loads on the vertical stabilizer that exceed ultimate design loads. Such events could lead to failure of the vertical stabilizer and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. (f) Compliance You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. (g) Modification Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in either paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD to address the unsafe condition identified in paragraph (e) of this AD. (1) Incorporate a design change to the rudder control system and/or other systems, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. (2) Install a stop rudder inputs warning (SRIW) modification by doing the applicable actions specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable. (i) For Model A300-600 series airplanes: Do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i)(A) and (g)(2)(i)(B) of this AD. (A) Install a SRIW device, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6054, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 2012. Before or concurrently with the SRIW installation, do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i)(A)(1) and (g)(2)(i)(A)(2) of this AD. [[Page 67261]] (1) Upgrade the flight control computer (FCC) to introduce the SRIW logic, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6056, dated April 25, 2012. (2) Upgrade the flight warning computer (FWC) to introduce the SRIW aural capability, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A300-31-6140, dated May 4, 2012. (B) Activate the SRIW device, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-22-6055, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. (ii) For Model A310 series airplanes: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(ii)(A) and (g)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD. (A) Install a SRIW device, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2063, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 2012. Before or concurrently with the SRIW installation, do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(ii)(A)(1) and (g)(2)(ii)(A)(2) of this AD. (1) Upgrade the FCC to introduce the SRIW logic, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2065, dated April 25, 2012. (2) Upgrade the FWC to introduce the SRIW aural capability, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-31-2144, dated May4, 2012. (B) Activate the SRIW device, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-22-2064, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) 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 Manager, ANM-116, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. (2) 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. (i) Related Information (1) For related information, refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012-0088, dated June 25, 2012, and the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(viii) of this AD, for related information. (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-22-6055, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-22-2064, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6054, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 2012. (iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6056, dated April 25, 2012. (v) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-31-6140, dated May 4, 2012. (vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2063, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 2012. (vii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2065, dated April 25, 2012. (viii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-31-2144, dated May 4, 2012. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2125; fax 425-227-1149. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-22-6055, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-22-2064, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated May 31, 2012. (iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6054, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 2012. (iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-22-6056, dated April 25, 2012. (v) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-31-6140, dated May 4, 2012. (vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2063, including Appendix 01, dated June 20, 2012. (vii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-22-2065, dated April 25, 2012. (viii) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-31-2144, dated May 4, 2012. (3) For the service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS-EAW (Airworthiness Office), 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. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.