Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-202, -223, -243, and -343 Airplanes; and Model A340-313 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55517-55519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18782]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22484; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-270-AD; 
Amendment 39-14286; AD 2005-19-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-202, -223, -243, and 
-343 Airplanes; and Model A340-313 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 A330-202, -223, -243, and -343 airplanes; and 
certain Model A340-313 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection for discrepancies of the attachment bolts of the windshield 
central retainer, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results 
from a report indicating that, during production, the windshield 
central retainer may have been installed with attachment bolts that 
were too short, which prevented the thread of the bolt from fully 
engaging in the self-locking nut. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
loosened attachment bolts, which could result in loss of the windshield 
and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

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: 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:

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330-202, -223, -243, and -
343 airplanes, and Model A340-313 airplanes. The windshield central 
retainer is attached with long-thread bolts of a certain length. During 
production on affected airplanes, the windshield central

[[Page 55518]]

retainer may have been installed with slightly shorter bolts having 
standard thread length. In that case, despite proper torquing, the bolt 
thread might not fully engage in the self-locking nut. Loosened 
attachment bolts, if not corrected, could result in loss of the 
windshield and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-56-3006 and A340-56-4006, 
both Revision 01, dated March 24, 2003. The service bulletins describe 
procedures for inspecting the windshield central retainer to measure 
the protrusion of the attachment bolts, and replacing inadequate bolts 
and their corresponding nuts. Accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition. To ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France, the DGAC mandated the service information and issued French 
airworthiness directives 2003-123(B) R1 and 2003-124(B) R1, both dated 
April 16, 2003.

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 airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent loosened attachment 
bolts of the windshield central retainer, which could result in loss of 
the windshield and reduced structural integrity of the airplane. This 
AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed below.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    The service bulletins refer to a ``detailed visual inspection'' for 
measuring the length of the attachment bolts. We have determined that 
the procedures in the service bulletins should be considered a 
``detailed inspection.'' Note 1 in this AD defines this type of 
inspection.

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. In that event, the required actions would take about 1 work 
hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to be $65 per 
airplane.

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-
2005-22484; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-270-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.
    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.

[[Page 55519]]

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):

2005-19-21 Airbus: Amendment 39-14286. Docket No. FAA-2005-22484; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-270-AD.

Effective Date

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

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any 
category, listed in Table 1 of this AD.

                                             Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Airbus model--                             As identified in Airbus service bulletin--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-202, -223, -243, and -343      A330-56-3006, Revision 01, dated March 24, 2003.
 airplanes.
A340-313 airplanes................  A340-56-4006, Revision 01, dated March 24, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that, during 
production, the windshield central retainer may have been installed 
with attachment bolts that were too short, which prevented the 
thread of the bolt from fully engaging in the self-locking nut. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent loosened attachment bolts, which 
could result in loss of the windshield and consequent reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

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

    (f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed inspection of the windshield central retainer for 
discrepancies of the attachment bolts, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3006 
or A340-56-4006, both excluding Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated 
March 24, 2003; as applicable. If the protrusion of any attachment 
bolt is not within the limits specified in the service bulletin, 
replace the bolt and corresponding nut with new parts before further 
flight in accordance with the service bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Modification According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Inspecting the windshield central retainer, and doing 
applicable corrective actions, is also acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD if done before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-56-3006 or A340-56-
4006, both dated March 12, 2003; as applicable.

No Reporting Requirement

    (h) Although Airbus Service Bulletins A330-56-3006 and A340-56-
4006 specify sending an inspection report to the manufacturer, this 
AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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 14 CFR 
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

    (j) French airworthiness directives 2003-123(B) R1 and 2003-
124(B) R1, both dated April 16, 2003, also address the subject of 
this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) To perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise, you must use Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-56-3006, excluding Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated March 24, 
2003; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-56-4006, excluding Appendix 
01, Revision 01, dated March 24, 2003; as applicable. 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. 05-18782 Filed 9-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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