Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration
We are adopting 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 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 AD requires replacing certain AOA sensors (probes) with certain new AOA sensors. For certain other airplanes, this AD also requires inspections and functional heat testing of certain AOA sensors for discrepancies, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing 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 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; Amendment 39-18475; AD 2016-07-30] RIN 2120-AA64 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 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 AD requires replacing certain AOA sensors (probes) with ( printed page 21723) certain new AOA sensors. For certain other airplanes, this AD also requires inspections and functional heat testing of certain AOA sensors for discrepancies, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing 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 loss of control of the airplane. DATES: This AD becomes effective May 18, 2016. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as o…
Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.
Citation: 81 FR 21722
