Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 13 (Monday, January 22, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2612-2614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-201]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-26921; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-247-AD; 
Amendment 39-14896; AD 2007-02-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracking 
in the wing main landing gear (MLG) rib 5 forward attachment lug, which 
could affect the structural integrity of the MLG attachment. This AD 
requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 6, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 6, 
2007.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 23, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <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.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the aviation 
authority for the European Union, has issued emergency airworthiness 
directive 2006-0335-E, dated November 3, 2006 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states that during routine visual inspection, a 
crack has been found in the wing MLG (main landing gear) rib 5 forward 
attachment lug on two A310 in-service aircraft. Laboratory examination 
of one of the cracked ribs confirmed that the crack is due to the 
presence of pitting corrosion in the forward lug holes. Also on both 
aircraft medium to heavy corrosion was found in the forward lugs on the 
opposite wing after removal of the bushes. This situation if not 
detected, could affect the structural integrity of the MLG attachment. 
The aim of the EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) is to 
mandate repetitive detailed visual inspections of wing MLG rib 5 aft 
bearing forward lugs for thorough crack detection and replacement if 
necessary. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in 
the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A310-57A2088, including Appendix 
01, dated November 6, 2006. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the

[[Page 2613]]

MCAI and service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD 
because we evaluated all the information provided by the State of 
Design Authority and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take 
precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
following routine visual inspection, two through-cracks have been found 
in the wing MLG rib 5 lug. The cracks were extended through the entire 
thickness of the forward lug. Failure of this attachment could result 
in gear collapse upon landing. Therefore, we determined that notice and 
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable 
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer 
than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-26921; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NM-247-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    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 we 
receive about this AD.

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 determined that this AD would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD would 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 this 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.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-02-09 Airbus: Amendment 39-14896. Docket No. FAA-2007-26921; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-247-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
6, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A310 airplanes, certificated 
in any category, all certified models, all serial numbers except for 
those where LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) wing MLG (main 
landing gear) rib 5 forward lugs have been repaired by installation 
of oversized interference fit bushings as per drawing R57249121.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states that during routine visual inspection, a crack has been found 
in the wing MLG rib 5 forward attachment lug on two A310 in-service 
aircraft. Laboratory examination of one of the cracked ribs 
confirmed that the crack is due to the presence of pitting corrosion 
in the forward lug holes. Also on both aircraft medium to heavy 
corrosion was found in the forward lugs on the opposite wing after 
removal of the bushes. This situation if not detected, could affect 
the structural integrity of the MLG attachment. The MCAI requires 
repetitive detailed visual inspections of wing MLG rib 5 aft bearing 
forward lugs for thorough crack detection and replacement if 
necessary.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions specified in 
paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this AD in accordance with 
the instructions defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57A2088, 
dated November 6, 2006.
    (1) Before the accumulation of 12,000 total flight cycles or 
within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later: Perform a detailed visual inspection of the LH and RH wing 
MLG rib 5 aft bearing forward lugs.
    (2) If any crack is detected at LH and/or RH aft bearing forward 
lug, contact Airbus and proceed with the replacement before next 
flight.
    (3) Repeat the inspection at intervals not exceeding 100 flight 
cycles.

[[Page 2614]]

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
Attn: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. 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.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
    (4) Special Flight Permits: We are not allowing special flight 
permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199).

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency emergency 
airworthiness directive 2006-0335-E, dated November 3, 2006, and 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57A2088, dated November 6, 2006, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57A2088, excluding 
Appendix 01, dated November 6, 2006, to do the actions required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at 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 December 7, 2006.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 07-201 Filed 1-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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