Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 507-508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-146]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-28-AD; Amendment 39-12583; AD 2001-26-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 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 series airplanes, that requires 
removal of the shear pins that keep the rear fixed panels on the center 
landing gear closed and installation of new solid shear pins. This 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information from a foreign airworthiness authority. This action is 
intended to prevent the shear pins on the rear fixed panels of the 
center landing gear from failing, which could result in loss of the 
panels during flight with consequent injury to people on the ground. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 8, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 8, 2002.

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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1175; fax (425) 227-
1181.

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 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2001 (66 
FR 45951). That action proposed to require removal of the shear pins 
that keep the rear fixed panels on the center landing gear closed and 
installation of new solid shear pins.

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.

Changes Made to the Proposed AD

    Since issuance of the proposed AD, Airbus has issued Service 
Bulletin A330-52-3058, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001. The 
original issue of this service bulletin, dated April 7, 2000, was 
referenced in the proposed AD as the appropriate source of service 
information for the required replacement. The Direction Generale de 
l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for 
France, classified this service bulletin as mandatory in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France. The 
FAA finds that the procedures in Revision 01 of the service bulletin 
are essentially the same as those in the original issue. Therefore, we 
have revised paragraph (a) of the final rule to reference Revision 01 
of the service bulletin, and we have included a new ``Note 2'' to give 
credit to

[[Page 508]]

operators that may have accomplished the required actions prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with the original issue of the 
service bulletin. Subsequent notes have been renumbered accordingly. 
Additionally, we have revised the applicability of the final rule to 
include Revision 01 of the service bulletin.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $120, or $60 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:

2001-26-17  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12583. Docket 2001-NM-28-
AD.

    Applicability: Model A330-202, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -
323, -341, -342, and -343 series airplanes, on which Airbus 
Modification 47707 has not been incorporated; or Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-52-3058, dated April 7, 2000, or Revision 01, dated 
February 8, 2001, has not been accomplished; certificated in any 
category.

    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 (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 prevent the shear pins on the rear fixed panels of the center 
landing gear from failing, which could result in loss of the panels 
during flight with consequent injury to people on the ground, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove 
the shear pins that keep the rear fixed panels of the center landing 
gear closed and install solid shear pins, in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-52-3058, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the replacement in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-52-3058, dated April 7, 2000, prior to 
the effective date of this AD, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements 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, 
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

    (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 A330-52-3058, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001. 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 directive 2001-042(B), dated January 24, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-146 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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