Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37028-37029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14433]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-53-AD; Amendment 39-11775; AD 2000-11-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections to detect corrosion of the 
retraction links of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the 
retraction link with a new retraction link, if necessary. This 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion of 
the retraction link of the MLG, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity and possible collapse of the MLG.

DATES: Effective July 18, 2000. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of July 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2000 
(65 FR 18258). That action proposed to require repetitive ultrasonic 
inspections to detect corrosion of the retraction links of the main 
landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the retraction link with a new 
retraction link, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes included in the applicablity of this rule 
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; 
therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, 
the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes 
are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour to 
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3)

[[Page 37029]]

will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a 
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for 
this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may 
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-11-26  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11775. Docket 2000-NM-53-
AD.

    Applicability: All Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 (b) 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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct corrosion of the retraction links of the 
main landing gear (MLG), which could result in reduced structural 
integrity and possible collapse of the MLG, accomplish the 
following:

Repetitive Ultrasonic Inspections

    (a) Within 36 months time-in-service on any new retraction link, 
or within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, perform an ultrasonic inspection to detect corrosion 
of the retraction links left-and right-hand of the MLG, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3105, Revision 01, 
dated December 14, 1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes), or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-32-4148, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999 
(for Model A340 series airplanes), as applicable.
    (1) If no corrosion is detected, or if corrosion is detected 
that is within the limits specified in the applicable service 
bulletin, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 6 months.
    (2) If any corrosion is detected that is outside the limits 
specified in the applicable service bulletin, replace the affected 
retraction link with a new retraction link at the time specified and 
in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable 
service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection specified in 
paragraph (a) on any new retraction links, at the time specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins reference Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletins A33/34-32-151, Revision 3, including Appendix A, 
and A33/34-32-152, Revision 3, including Appendix A, each dated 
January 11, 2000, as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishing the repetitive inspections.


    Note 3: Although the inspection schedule of this AD applies to 
both left-and right-hand retraction links of the MLG, replacement of 
a retraction link, prior to scheduled replacement, would result in 
subsequent staggered inspections for the remainder of the retraction 
links.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.

    Note 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-32-3105, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999; or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4148, Revision 01, dated December 
14, 1999; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Airbus Industrie, 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2000-013-107(B) R1, dated February 9, 2000, 
and 2000-015-132(B), dated January 12, 2000.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14433 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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