Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28697-28699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12842]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-142-AD; Amendment 39-13157; AD 2003-10-12]
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, among other actions, modifying the down drive brackets of the 
left- and right-hand sides of the inboard flap track 1 assembly and 
installation of bigger bolts and washers, and testing the torque value 
of the nuts. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the bolts due to flexural loads caused by transmission jam 
loading, which could lead to a ``flap-locked'' condition, causing 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 1, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 1, 2003.

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 as a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on January 3, 2003 (68 FR 
302). That action proposed to

[[Page 28698]]

require, among other actions, modifying the down drive brackets of the 
left- and right-hand inboard flap track 1 assembly, and testing the 
torque value of the nuts.

Comments

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

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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 9 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 13 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the modifications and installations, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,020, 
or $780 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-10-12 Airbus: Amendment 39-13157. Docket 2001-NM-142-AD.

    Applicability: The airplanes specified in Table 1 of this AD, 
certificated in any category. Table 1 is as follows:

                                             Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model--                  Which have received--                 Excluding airplanes--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330 series airplanes................  Airbus Modification      Modified in production per Airbus Modification
                                        45326 in production.     47619, or modified in service per Airbus
                                                                 Service Bulletin A330-57-3067, Revision 03,
                                                                 dated August 7, 2002.
A340 series airplanes................  Airbus Modification      Modified in production per Airbus Modification
                                        45326 in production.     47619, or modified in service per Airbus
                                                                 Service Bulletin A340-57-4075, Revision 02,
                                                                 dated August 7, 2002.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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 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 failure of the bolts due to flexural loads caused by 
transmission jam loading, which could lead to a ``flap-locked'' 
condition, causing reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Modification and Testing

    (a) At the times specified in Table 2 of this AD, modify the 
down drive brackets of the left- and right-hand inboard flap track 1 
assembly and test the torque value of the nuts by accomplishing all 
actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-57-3067, Revision 03, dated August 7, 2002 
(for Model A330 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-
57-4075, Revision 02, dated August 7, 2002 (for Model A340 series 
airplanes); as applicable. Table 2 is as follows:

[[Page 28699]]



                                                                Table 2.--Compliance Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Compliance time--                            Action--                                 For model--                          On which--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Within 36 months since date of    (i) Modify...............................  A330 series airplanes....................  Airbus Service Bulletin A330-
 manufacture of the airplane, or                                                                                             57-3067, dated October 12,
 within 6 months from the effective                                                                                          2000; Revision 01, dated
 date of this AD, whichever occurs                                                                                           April 10, 2001; or Revision
 later.                                                                                                                      02, dated February 2, 2002;
                                                                                                                             has not been done.
                                      (ii) Modify..............................  A340 series airplanes....................  Airbus Service Bulletin A340-
                                                                                                                             57-4075, dated October 12,
                                                                                                                             2000; or Revision 01, dated
                                                                                                                             April 10, 2001; has not
                                                                                                                             been done.
(2) Within 700 flight hours from the  (i) Test.................................  A330 series airplanes....................  Airbus Service Bulletin A330-
 effective date of this AD.                                                                                                  57-3067, dated October 12,
                                                                                                                             2000; Revision 01, dated
                                                                                                                             April 10, 2001; has been
                                                                                                                             done using U.S. Customary
                                                                                                                             Units.
                                      (ii) Test................................  A340 series airplanes....................  Airbus Service Bulletin A340-
                                                                                                                             57-4075, dated October 12,
                                                                                                                             2000; or Revision 01, dated
                                                                                                                             April 10, 2001; has been
                                                                                                                             done using U.S. Customary
                                                                                                                             Units.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall 
install, on any airplane, an inboard flap track 1 assembly unless it 
has been modified and its associated nuts have been torqued in 
accordance with 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, 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 2: 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-57-3067, Revision 03, dated August 7, 2002; or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-57-4075, Revision 02, dated August 7, 2002; 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2002-368(B) and 2002-369(B), both dated 
August 7, 2002.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 1, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-12842 Filed 5-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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