Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 116 (Thursday, June 15, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37476-37478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14882]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-64-AD; Amendment 39-11784; AD 2000-12-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 37477]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive inspections to check the play of the eye-end of the 
piston rod of the elevator servo-controls, and follow-on corrective 
actions, 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 excessive play of the eye-end of the piston rod 
of the elevator servo-controls, which could result in failure of the 
elevator servo-control.

DATES: Effective July 20, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 20, 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, FAA, 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 certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19348). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections to check the play of the eye-end of the piston rod of the 
elevator servo-controls, and follow-on corrective actions, 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 applicability of this rule 
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; 
therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD. 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 2 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$120 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) 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:

2000-12-06  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11784. Docket 2000-NM-64-
AD.

    Applicability: A330 and A340 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, equipped with any ``SAMM'' elevator servo-control 
having any part number SC4800-2 through SC4800-8 inclusive 
airplanes.

    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 excessive play of the eye-end of the 
piston rod of the elevator servo-controls, which could result in 
failure of the elevator servo-control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 months since date of manufacture of the airplane, 
or within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, perform an inspection to check the play of 
the piston rod eye-ends of the elevator servo-controls, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3062 (for Model A330 
series airplanes) or A340-27-4072 (for Model A340 series airplanes), 
both Revision 01, both dated July 21, 1999. Thereafter, repeat the 
inspection at intervals not to exceed 15 months.
    (1) If any play that is 0.0059 inch (0.15 mm) or greater and 
less than 0.0118 inch (0.30 mm) is detected: Prior to further 
flight, replace the rod eye-end with a new
    SARMA or NMB rod eye-end, in accordance with the applicable 
service bulletin.
    (2) If any play that is 0.0118 inch (0.30 mm) or greater is 
detected: Prior to further flight, perform a dye penetrant 
inspection to detect cracking of the servo-control, in accordance 
with the applicable service bulletin.
    (i) If no crack is detected: Prior to further flight, replace 
the rod eye-end with a new SARMA or NMB rod eye-end, in accordance 
with the applicable service bulletin.
    (ii) If any crack is detected: Prior to further flight, replace 
the servo-control with a new

[[Page 37478]]

servo-control, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of an inspection in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3062 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes) or A340-27-4072 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both 
dated February 5, 1999; is considered acceptable for compliance with 
the initial inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.


    Note 3: The Airbus service bulletins reference SAMM Service 
Bulletin SC4800-27-34-06, dated January 2, 1999, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishment of the dye 
penetrant inspection specified by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.

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 
sections 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 A330-27-3062, Revision 01, dated July 21, 1999; or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-27-4072, Revision 01, dated July 21, 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 2000-025-109(B) R1 and 2000-024-135(B) R1, 
both dated March 8, 2000.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 20, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14882 Filed 6-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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