Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and all Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of blockage of Angle of Attack (AOA) probes during climb, leading to activation of the Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot) while the Mach number increased. This activation could cause a continuous nose-down pitch rate that cannot be stopped with backward sidestick input, even in the full backward position. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require replacing certain AOA sensors (probes) with certain new AOA sensors. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would also require inspections and functional heat testing of certain AOA sensors for discrepancies, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent erroneous AOA information and Alpha Prot activation due to blocked AOA probes, which could result in a continuous nose-down command and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2015-4810; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-090-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ( printed page 69900) Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and all Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of blockage of Angle of Attack (AOA) probes during climb, leading to activation of the Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot) while the Mach number increased. This activation could cause a continuous nose-down pitch rate that cannot be stopped with backward sidestick input, even in the full backward position. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require replacing certain AOA sensors (probes) with certain new AOA sensors. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would also require inspections and functional heat testing of certain AOA sensors for discrepancies, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent erroneous AOA information and Alpha Prot activation due to blocked AOA probes, which could result in a continuous nose-down command and consequent loss of control of the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 28, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 1…
Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.
Citation: 80 FR 69899
