Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Airplanes and Model A320-200 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 23, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49170-49172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16457]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22142; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-153-AD; 
Amendment 39-14228; AD 2005-17-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Airplanes and 
Model A320-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series 
airplanes. This AD requires doing a one-time general visual inspection 
of the axle nut on each main landing gear (MLG) wheel for the presence 
of locking bolts and associated hardware; doing any related 
investigative and corrective actions as applicable; and submitting an 
inspection report to the manufacturer. This AD results from a report 
that an axle nut had separated from an axle on a main landing gear 
(MLG) wheel, due to missing locking bolts. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct missing locking bolts on the axle nuts of the MLG 
wheels. Absence of the locking bolts could result in separation of a 
wheel(s) from the axle and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane during takeoff and landing, and possible injury to people on 
the ground.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 7, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 7, 
2005.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 24, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.

[[Page 49171]]

    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes 
and Model A320-200 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it received 
a report that, during taxi-out, the flightcrew of a Model A320 airplane 
felt the brake at wheel position 3 of the main landing gear (MLG) 
dragging, and saw a rise in brake temperature. An inspection of wheel 
position 3 revealed that the axle nut had separated from the axle, the 
axle sleeve had started to move out, and that the wheel assembly, 
including the outer bearing, had been severely damaged. An inspection 
of the other three wheel positions on that airplane revealed that the 
axle nuts on those wheels were not secured with locking bolts and had 
started to move out. An investigation revealed that the locking bolts 
that were intended to secure the axle nut to the axle were most likely 
not installed during production. Absence of the locking bolts, if not 
detected and corrected, could result in separation of a wheel(s) from 
the axle and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane during 
takeoff and landing, and possible injury to people on the ground.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-32A1303, dated 
July 4, 2005. The AOT describes procedures for doing a one-time visual 
inspection of the axle nut on each MLG wheel for the presence of 
locking bolts and associated hardware (nuts, washers, and pins); doing 
related investigative and corrective actions as applicable; and 
reporting inspection results. The related investigative and corrective 
actions are:
    <bullet> Doing a visual inspection of the debris guard, fan 
impeller or hubcap, tachometer mounting sleeve, and other related 
components for any damage;
    <bullet> Ensuring the correct torque for the axle nut;
    <bullet> Doing a general visual inspection of the axle sleeve, 
retaining ring, and wheel for any damage if the axle nut has not been 
torqued properly;
    <bullet> Replacing any damaged components; and
    <bullet> Installing locking bolts and associated hardware.
    The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French 
emergency airworthiness directive UF-2005-128, dated July 13, 2005, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing 
locking bolts on the MLG wheels. Absence of the locking bolts could 
result in separation of a wheel(s) from the axle and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane during takeoff and landing, and 
possible injury to people on the ground. This AD requires accomplishing 
the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    In this AD, the ``visual inspection'' specified in the Airbus 
service information is referred to as a ``general visual inspection.'' 
We have included the definition for a general visual inspection in a 
note in the AD.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports 
that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain 
better insight into the extent of the missing locking bolts and 
associated hardware in the fleet to develop final action to address the 
unsafe condition. Once final action has been identified, the FAA may 
consider further rulemaking.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD; therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment 
before the AD is issued is impracticable, and good cause exists to make 
this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-
22142; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-153-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

[[Page 49172]]

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-17-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-14228. Docket No. FAA-2005-22142; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-153-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 7, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes, and 
Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; 
certificated in any category; with serial numbers 2275 through 2440 
inclusive, 2442 through 2446 inclusive, 2448, 2450, 2452, 2454, 2456 
through 2458 inclusive, 2460 through 2474 inclusive, 2476 through 
2478 inclusive, 2480 through 2483 inclusive, 2485, and 2486.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that an axle nut had separated 
from an axle on a main landing gear (MLG) wheel, due to missing 
locking bolts. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct 
missing locking bolts on the axle nuts of the MLG wheels. Absence of 
the locking bolts could result in separation of a wheel(s) from the 
axle and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane during 
takeoff and landing, and possible injury to people on the ground.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection and Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do a one-time general visual inspection of the axle nut of each MLG 
wheel for the presence of locking bolts and associated hardware 
(nuts, washers, and pins), and any applicable related investigative 
and corrective actions, in accordance with the Description section 
of Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-32A1303, dated July 4, 
2005. Do any related investigative or corrective action before 
further flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Inspection Report

    (g) Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) 
of the inspection(s) required by paragraph (f) of this AD to the 
manufacturer, in accordance with the Reporting/Acknowledgement 
section of Airbus AOT A320-32A1303, dated July 4, 2005, at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD. 
The report must include the inspection results, a description of any 
discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of 
landings and flight hours on the airplane. Under the provisions of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB 
Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) If the inspection was done after the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective 
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) French emergency airworthiness directive UF-2005-128, dated 
July 13, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex A320-32A1303, dated 
July 4, 2005, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy 
of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 11, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16457 Filed 8-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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