Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 Airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58298-58300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19830]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22587; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-266-AD; 
Amendment 39-14316; AD 2005-20-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, -
341, and -342 Airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 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 A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes; 
and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD requires 
installing lockplates on the main landing gear (MLG) and center landing 
gear (CLG) wheel assemblies, as applicable, to keep the tie bolts in 
position in the wheel assembly in the event of a tie bolt failure. This 
AD results from reports of tie bolts that were broken or missing from 
the MLG wheel assembly; in some cases the wheels have ruptured and 
caused damage to other equipment in the adjacent area. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent damage to the wheel assembly and equipment in the 
area adjacent to the MLG and CLG, which could result in a decrease in 
braking function and possible runway over-run.

DATES: Effective October 21, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 21, 
2005.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 5, 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 on certain Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -
322, -341, and -342 airplanes that are equipped with Messier-Goodrich 
main landing gear (MLG) wheel assemblies, part number (P/N) 3-1509-2; 
and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes that are equipped with 
center landing gear (CLG) and MLG wheel assemblies, P/N 3-1509-2. The 
DGAC advises that operators of Model A330 series airplanes fitted with 
the affected wheel assemblies reported tie bolts that were broken or 
missing from the MLG wheel assemblies. Investigations indicated that 
the tie bolts ruptured due to fatigue failure and subsequently migrated 
out of the tie bolt hole. As a consequence, in some cases the failed 
tie bolt caught on the brake unit and ruptured a wheel. This condition, 
if not corrected, could cause damage to the wheel assembly and 
equipment in the area adjacent to the MLG and CLG, which could result 
in a decrease in braking function and possible runway over-run.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A330-32-3167, dated August 12, 
2003 (for Model A330-301, -321, -322, and -342 airplanes); and Service 
Bulletin A340-32-4206, dated August 12, 2003 (for Model A340-211 and -
212 airplanes; and Model A340-300 series airplanes). The service 
bulletins describe procedures for modifying the MLG and CLG, as 
applicable, by installing lockplates on the wheel assembly to keep the 
tie bolts in position in the wheel assembly in the event of a tie bolt 
failure. 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 2003-392(B) and 2003-393(B), both dated October 29, 2003, to 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    The service bulletins refer to Goodrich-Messier Service Bulletin 3-
1509-32-5, dated August 12, 2003, as an additional source of service 
information for installing the lockplates.

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.

[[Page 58299]]

    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the wheel 
assembly and equipment in the area adjacent to the MLG or CLG, which 
could result in a decrease in braking function and possible runway 
over-run. This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Difference Between the AD and the French Airworthiness Directives.''

Difference Between the AD and the French Airworthiness Directives

    The applicability of French airworthiness directives 2003-392(B) 
and 2003-393(B) excludes airplanes on which Airbus Service Bulletins 
A330-32-3167 or A340-32-4206 (as applicable) were accomplished in 
service. However, we have not excluded those airplanes in the 
applicability of this AD; rather, this AD includes a requirement to 
accomplish the actions specified in those service bulletins. This 
requirement would ensure that the actions specified in the service 
bulletins and required by this AD are accomplished on all affected 
airplanes. Operators must continue to operate the airplane in the 
configuration required by this AD unless an alternative method of 
compliance is approved.

Clarification of Applicability

    Although Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4206, dated August 12, 
2003, does not include Airbus Model A340-213 in its effectivity, this 
AD includes Model A340-213 in the applicability. Model A340-213 is 
identified in the applicability of French airworthiness directive 2003-
393(B) as being subject to the identified unsafe condition, and 
therefore, requires the same corrective actions as the other airplane 
models identified in Service Bulletin A340-32-4206.
    Although Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3167, dated August 12, 
2003, does not include Airbus Model A330-341 in its effectivity, this 
AD includes Model A330-341 in the applicability. Model A330-341 is 
identified in the applicability of French airworthiness directive 2003-
392(B) as being subject to the identified unsafe condition, and 
therefore, requires the same corrective actions as the other airplane 
models identified in Service Bulletin A330-32-3167.

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
                 Installation for Airbus Model--                    Work    labor rate   Parts cost    Cost per
                                                                    hours    per hour                  airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes...................       6          $65      $29,888      $30,278
A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes...........................       8           65       37,360       37,880
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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-
2005-22587; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-266-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 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 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

[[Page 58300]]

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):

2005-20-20  Airbus: Amendment 39-14316. Docket No. FAA-2005-22587; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-266-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, 
and -342 airplanes; Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes; and 
Model A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3167, 
dated August 12, 2003; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4206, 
dated August 12, 2003; as applicable.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of tie bolts that were broken 
or missing from the main landing gear (MLG) wheel assembly; in some 
cases the wheels have ruptured and caused damage to other equipment 
in the adjacent area. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to 
the wheel assembly and equipment in the area adjacent to the MLG and 
center landing gear (CLG), which could result in a decrease in 
braking function and possible runway over-run.

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 and Reidentification

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the MLG and CLG, as applicable, by installing lockplates on the 
wheel assembly. Do all actions in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3167, dated August 
12, 2003; or A340-32-4206, dated August, 12, 2003; as applicable.

    Note 1:
    The service bulletins referenced in paragraph (f) of this AD 
refer to Goodrich-Messier Service Bulletin 3-1509-32-5, dated August 
12, 2003; as an additional source of service information for 
installing the lockplates.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(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

    (h) French airworthiness directives 2003-392(B) and 2003-393(B), 
both dated October 29, 2003, also address the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3167, dated 
August 12, 2003; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4206, dated 
August 12, 2003; 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 26, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19830 Filed 10-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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