Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate new procedures for the flightcrew to follow to correct miscalculation of the takeoff and accelerating or stopping distance of the airplane during a ferry flight under certain conditions. This AD results from a report that a software error could result in a miscalculation (underestimation) of the runway length necessary for takeoff in the case of a ferry flight with one engine not operating. We are issuing this AD to prevent this miscalculation, which, if combined with high takeoff weight, too-short runway length, and high altitude and temperature of the airport, could result in inability of the flightcrew to abort the takeoff in a safe manner, reduced controllability of the airplane, and runway overrun.