Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53303-53305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21623]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0224; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-210-AD; 
Amendment 39-16772; AD 2011-17-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
that applies to the products listed above. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

* * * * *
    The airworthiness limitations applicable to Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT ALI) are currently given in 
Airbus A330 ALI Document reference AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, which is 
approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and 
referenced in Airbus Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2.
    The issue 17 of Airbus A330 ALI Document introduces more 
restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations. 
Failure to comply with this issue constitutes an unsafe condition.
    This [EASA] AD supersedes EASA AD 2009-0102 [and retains the 
requirements therein], and requires the implementation of the new or 
more restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations 
as specified in Airbus A330 ALI Document issue 17.

    The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion in 
certain structure, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes September 30, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
30, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of June 
7, 2006 (71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 22, 2011 (76 
FR 15867), and proposed to supersede AD 2006-09-07, Amendment 39-14577 
(71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations are distributed in the Airbus A330 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS).
    The airworthiness limitations applicable to Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT ALI) are currently given in 
Airbus A330 ALI Document reference AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, which is 
approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and 
referenced in Airbus Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2.
    The issue 17 of Airbus A330 ALI Document introduces more 
restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations. 
Failure to comply with this issue constitutes an unsafe condition.
    This [EASA] AD supersedes EASA AD 2009-0102 [and retains the 
requirements therein], and requires the implementation of the new or 
more restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations 
as specified in Airbus A330 ALI Document issue 17.

    The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion in 
certain structure, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane. You may obtain further information by examining the 
MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This 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 our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 54 products of U.S. 
registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2006-09-07, Amendment 39-14577 
(71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006), and retained in this AD, take about 1 work-
hour per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently required actions 
is $85 per product.
    We estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with

[[Page 53304]]

the requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $4,590, or $85 per product.

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 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 this AD:
    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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 removing Amendment 39-14577 (71 FR 
25919, May 3, 2006) and adding the following new AD:

2011-17-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-16772. Docket No. FAA-2011-0224; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-210-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 30, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-09-07, Amendment 39-14577 (71 FR 
25919, May 3, 2006).

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, 
-223F, -243, and -243F airplanes, and Model A330-301, -302, -303, -
321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; certificated in any 
category; all manufacturer serial numbers.

    Note 1:  This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
* * * * *
    The airworthiness limitations applicable to Damage Tolerant 
Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT ALI) are currently given in 
Airbus A330 ALI Document reference AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, which is 
approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and 
referenced in Airbus Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 2.
    The issue 17 of Airbus A330 ALI Document introduces more 
restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations. 
Failure to comply with this issue constitutes an unsafe condition.
    This [EASA] AD supersedes EASA AD 2009-0102 [and retains the 
requirements therein], and requires the implementation of the new or 
more restrictive maintenance requirements/airworthiness limitations 
as specified in Airbus A330 ALI Document issue 17.
    The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion 
in certain structure, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane.

Compliance

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

Restatement of Requirements of Paragraph (f)(2) of AD 2006-09-07, 
Amendment 39-14577 (71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006)

Airworthiness Limitations Revision

    (g) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -
303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: Within 3 
months after June 7, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-09-07, 
Amendment 39-14577 (71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006)), revise the ALS of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating Airbus 
Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness Limitation 
Items,'' Issue 12, dated November 1, 2003, as specified in Section 
9-2 of the Airbus A330 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD), into the 
ALS.

New Requirements of This AD

Revise the Maintenance Program

    (h) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the maintenance program by incorporating Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/
95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 17, 
dated May 28, 2010. At the times specified in Airbus Document AI/SE-
M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 17, 
dated May 28, 2010, comply with all applicable maintenance 
requirements and associated airworthiness limitations included in 
Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items,'' Issue 17, dated May 28, 2010. Accomplishing the 
revision in this paragraph ends the requirements in paragraph (g) of 
this AD.

Alternative Intervals or Limits

    (i) Except as provided by paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, after 
accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, no 
alternatives to the maintenance tasks, intervals, or limitations 
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD may be used.

[[Page 53305]]

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (j) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be e-mailed to: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter 
must specifically reference this AD.
    (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.

Related Information

    (k) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0174, dated August 17, 
2010; Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items,'' Issue 12, dated November 1, 2003; and Airbus 
Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness Limitation 
Items,'' Issue 17, dated May 28, 2010; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 
Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 17, dated May 28, 2010; and 
Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, ``A330 Airworthiness 
Limitation Items,'' Issue 12, dated November 1, 2003; as applicable; 
to do the actions required by this AD; unless the AD specifies 
otherwise. The issue number of Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, 
``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 17, dated May 28, 
2010, is indicated only on the title page of this document.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, 
``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 17, dated May 28, 
2010, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Airbus Document AI/SE-M4/95A.0089/97, 
``A330 Airworthiness Limitation Items,'' Issue 12, dated November 1, 
2003, on June 7, 2006 (71 FR 25919, May 3, 2006).
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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 August 2, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21623 Filed 8-25-11; 8:45 am]
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