Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-322, -341, and -342 Airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55529-55531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18781]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22486; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-219-AD; 
Amendment 39-14287; AD 2005-19-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-322, -341, and -342 
Airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200 and -300 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 A330-322, -341, and -342 airplanes, and Model 
A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires modifying the left 
and right ram air outlets of the two air conditioning packs. The 
modification includes replacing the old air outlet assembly with a new 
air outlet assembly, and modifying the web. This AD results from a 
report of fatigue cracks that initiated in the duct structure of the 
ram air outlet, which is adjacent to the hydraulics compartment. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracks in the duct structure of the 
ram air outlet, which could lead to hot air damage and consequent loss 
of function of the hydraulics systems.

DATES: Effective October 7, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 7, 
2005.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 21, 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.
    <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 Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; 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 for certain Airbus Model A330-322, -341, and 
-342 airplanes, and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. The DGAC 
advises that fatigue cracks have been found that initiated in the duct 
structure of the ram air outlet, which is adjacent to the hydraulics 
compartment. These fatigue cracks were found on airplanes that had been 
modified with an ``adaptation solution'' that was intended to prevent 
cracks and provide better thermal insulation. However, analyses showed 
that the adaptation solution did not prevent cracks that initiate after 
the 12,000 flight-cycle threshold. Cracks in the duct structure could 
propagate, and certain rivet heads could shear from the inside. Either 
condition could cause the air outlet to rupture and lead to hot air 
being blown into the hydraulics bay. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in hot air damage and consequent loss of function of the 
hydraulics systems.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued the service bulletins listed in the following 
table.

                                            Airbus Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Airbus service bulletin--            Revision              Dated                     For model--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-53-3132.............................           02  April 26, 2004.............  A330-322, -341, and -342
                                                                                      airplanes.
A340-53-4139.............................           02  April 26, 2004.............  A340-200 and -300 series
                                                                                      airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 55530]]

    The service bulletins describe procedures for modifying the left 
and right ram air outlets of the two air conditioning packs to provide 
improved thermal insulation and fatigue resistance. The modification 
includes replacing the old air outlet assembly with a new air outlet 
assembly, and modifying the web. Accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition. The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French 
airworthiness directives F-2004-050 and F-2004-051, both dated April 
14, 2004, 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 prevent fatigue cracks in the 
duct structure of the ram air outlet, which could lead to hot air 
damage and consequent loss of function of the hydraulics systems. This 
AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by 
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not 
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD 
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    The following table provides the estimated costs to comply with 
this AD for any affected airplane that might be imported and placed on 
the U.S. Register in the future.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Average labor rate
                   Action                      Work hours        per hour        Parts cost    Cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification................................           32                 $65       $55,710             $57,790
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register. 
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is 
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective 
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

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 the 
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2005-22486; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-219-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.

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.

[[Page 55531]]

    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):

2005-19-22 Airbus: Amendment 39-14287. Docket No. FAA-2005-22486; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-219-AD.

Effective Date

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

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-322, -
341, and -342 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, 
and -313 airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3132, Revision 02, dated April 26, 
2004, and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4139, Revision 02, dated 
April 26, 2004, as applicable.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of fatigue cracks that 
initiated in the duct structure of the ram air outlet, which is 
adjacent to the hydraulics compartment. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to prevent fatigue cracks in the duct structure of the ram air 
outlet, which could lead to hot air damage and consequent loss of 
function of the hydraulics systems.
    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.

Modification

    (f) Before the airplane accumulates 12,000 total flight cycles, 
or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Modify the ram air outlet ducts of the two air 
conditioning packs in accordance with the applicable service 
bulletin in Table 1 of this AD.

                                       Table 1.--Airbus Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Model                      Airbus service bulletin      Revision               Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-322, -341, and -342 airplanes......                  A330-53-3132           02  April 26, 2004.
A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -                   A340-53-4139           02  April 26, 2004.
 313 airplanes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Issues of Service 
Bulletins

    (g) Actions accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletins listed in Table 2 of this AD are acceptable for compliance 
with the corresponding action in this AD.

                                 Table 2.--Previous Issues of Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Airbus service bulletin                    Revision                              Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-53-3132............................  01.........................  December 8, 2003.
A340-53-4139............................  Original...................  July 25, 2003.
A340-53-4139............................  01.........................  December 8, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directives F-2004-050 and F2004-051, 
both dated April 14, 2004, also address the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3132, Revision 
02, dated April 26, 2004; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4139, 
Revision 02, dated April 26, 2004; as applicable; 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 these documents 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 13, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18781 Filed 9-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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