Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 1, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39632-39633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18468]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-230-AD; Amendment 39-12348; AD 2001-15-14]
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 certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires installation of a retainer device on the attachment pin of the 
brake torque rod of the main landing gear (MLG). The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent the attachment pin from fully 
migrating from the brake torque rod and to prevent the collar from 
detaching from the MLG; these conditions could result in loss of 
braking on two wheels and the inability to extend the MLG. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 5, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 5, 2001.

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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 30, 
2001 (66 FR 21294). That action proposed to require installation of a 
retainer device on the attachment pin of the brake torque rod of the 
main landing gear (MLG).

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

    The FAA estimates that 7 Airbus Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD (there are no Airbus Model A340 
series airplanes currently registered in the U.S.), that it will take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
retainer installation, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. There will be no charge for required parts. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the retainer installation required by this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,680, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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:

2001-15-14  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12348. Docket 2000 NM-230 
AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those on which Airbus 
Modification 47917 (Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3119 or A340-32-
4157) has been incorporated in production.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by

[[Page 39633]]

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 prevent the attachment pin from fully migrating from the 
brake torque rod and the collar from detaching from the main landing 
gear (MLG), which could result in loss of braking on two wheels and 
the inability to extend the MLG, accomplish the following:

Installation of Retainer Device

    (a) Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
a retainer device on the attachment pin of the brake torque rods of 
the MLG, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3119 
(for Model A330 series airplanes) or A340-32-4157 (for Model A340 
series airplanes), both dated July 13, 2000.

    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins refer to Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletins A33/34-32-163 and A33/34-32-164, both dated March 
1, 2000, as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishment of the installation required by this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an MLG on any airplane unless it has been modified in accordance 
with the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 3: 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

    (d) 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

    (e) The installation shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-32-3119, dated July 13, 2000; or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-32-4157, dated July 13, 2000; 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2000-478-130(B) and 2000-479-157(B), both 
dated November 29, 2000.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 5, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 19, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-18468 Filed 7-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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