Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16-18]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32880]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-67-AD; Amendment 39-12999; AD 2002-26-11]
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 supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series 
airplanes, that currently requires an inspection of the parking brake 
operated valve (PBOV) of the main landing gear to identify the part and 
serial numbers, and follow-on actions if necessary. That AD also 
provides for optional terminating action for the requirements of that 
AD. This amendment requires accomplishment of the previously optional 
terminating action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent leakage of the PBOV and consequent failure of the ``blue'' 
hydraulic system and alternate parking brake and emergency braking 
systems, which could affect elements of the hydraulics for flaps, 
stabilizer, certain spoilers, elevator, rudder, and aileron. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 6, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of the publications listed in the 
regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of May 8, 2002 (67 FR 19650, April 23, 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: 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) by superseding AD 2002-08-12, 
amendment 39-12720 (67 FR 19650, April 23, 2002), which is applicable 
to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, was published 
in the Federal Register on August 16, 2002 (67 FR 53523). The action 
proposed to continue to require an inspection of the parking brake 
operated valve (PBOV) of the main landing gear to identify the part and 
serial numbers, and follow-on actions if necessary. That action also 
proposed to require accomplishment of the previously optional 
terminating action.

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

    There are approximately 9 airplanes of U.S. registry that are 
affected by this AD.
    The inspection that is currently required by AD 2002-08-12, and 
retained in this AD, takes approximately 2 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required actions is 
estimated to be $120 per airplane.
    The new modification/replacement required by this AD will take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,160, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

[[Page 17]]

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 removing amendment 39-12720 (67 FR 
19650, April 23, 2002), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12999, to read as follows:

2002-26-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-12999. Docket 2002NM-67-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2002-08-12, Amendment 39-12720.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340 series airplanes as listed in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32A3139 or A340-32A4176, both Revision 
01, dated November 23, 2001; 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 (d) 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 leakage of the parking brake operated valve 
(PBOV) and consequent failure of the ``blue'' hydraulic system and 
alternate parking brake and emergency braking systems, which could 
affect elements of the hydraulics for flaps, stabilizer, certain 
spoilers, elevator, rudder, and aileron, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2002-08-12, Amendment 39-12720

Inspections/Follow-On Actions

    (a) Within 7 days after May 8, 2002 (the effective date of AD 
2002-08-12): Do a one-time detailed inspection to determine the part 
number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) of the PBOV of the main landing 
gear, according to Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32A3139 (for Model 
A330 series airplanes) or A340-32A4176 (for Model A340 series 
airplanes), both Revision 01, dated November 23, 2001; as 
applicable.
    (1) If no P/N or S/N is identified as affected equipment 
according to the applicable service bulletin, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (2) If any P/N or S/N is identified as affected equipment 
according to the applicable service bulletin: Before further flight, 
perform the follow-on actions (which may include a visual inspection 
for hydraulic fluid leakage at the PBOV, repair or replacement of 
the PBOV with a new or serviceable part if leakage is found, and an 
operational test) according to the applicable service bulletin. If 
the affected PBOV is not replaced, or if the PBOV is replaced with a 
part having the same P/N or S/N, repeat the inspection thereafter at 
the time specified by and according to the service bulletin, as 
applicable, until the part is replaced.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

New Requirements of This AD

PBOV Modification/Replacement

    (b) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
affected PBOVs, or replace them with new PBOVs, according to Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-32A3139 (for Model A330 series airplanes) or 
A340-32A4176 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both Revision 01, 
dated November 23, 2001, as applicable. This modification terminates 
the requirements of this AD.

Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletins

    (c) Accomplishment of the actions before the effective date of 
this AD according to Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32A3139 or A340-
32A4176, dated September 14, 2001, as applicable, is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 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

    (e) 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

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32A3139, 
Revision 01, including Appendix 01, dated November 23, 2001; or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32A4176, Revision 01, including 
Appendix 01, dated November 23, 2001; as applicable. (Although the 
service bulletins reference a reporting requirement in Appendix 01 
of the service bulletin, such reporting is not required by this AD). 
This incorporation by reference was approved previously by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of May 8, 2002 (67 FR 19650, 
April 23, 2002). 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 2001-516(B) R1 and 2001-517(B) R1, both 
dated February 6, 2002.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 6, 2003.



[[Page 18]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32880 Filed 12-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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