Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 190 (Monday, October 1, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59732-59735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23393]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0996; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-040-AD; 
Amendment 39-17202; AD 2012-19-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 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 certain 
Airbus Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes. This AD requires 
repetitive inspections for corrosion of the drag stay lower arm 
assembly of the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement if necessary. 
This AD also requires eventual replacement of the drag stay lower arm 
assembly of the NLG with an improved assembly having corrosion 
protection, which terminates the repetitive inspections required by 
this AD. This AD was prompted by findings of corrosion traces in the 
lugs and on the bearing outer surface of the NLG during routine 
maintenance checks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
drag stay lower arm, which could result in NLG collapse and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane during takeoff.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 16, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 16, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 15, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

[[Page 59733]]

    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 this AD, 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.

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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-0214, dated November 2, 2010 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Several NLG drag stay lower arms on A340-500/-600 aeroplanes 
have exhibited corrosion and rust traces in the lugs and on the 
bearing outer surface, discovered visually during scheduled 
maintenance checks or aeroplane walk-around.
    Investigation has revealed that this corrosion of the drag stay 
lower arm can be due to:
    --the damage to the sealant applied on the external interface 
between the lug bore and the bearing race,
    --the ingress of contaminants and moisture between the lug bore 
and bearing race,
    --the degradation of the Cadmium plating by chemical phenomena,
    --the degradation of the Cadmium plating by mechanical 
phenomena.
    The failure of the drag stay lower arm may result in NLG 
collapse, which would constitute an unsafe condition during the take 
off phase.
    For the above described reasons, this [EASA] AD requires:
    --repetitive inspections of the NLG drag stay lower arm assembly 
part number (P/N) 30-1018002-01 at the interface between the arm and 
the spherical bearing races, for identification of corrosion traces, 
and replacement of the NLG drag stay lower arm assembly in case of 
findings, and
    --Replacement of the affected NLG drag stay lower arm assembly 
by a new or modified part with an improved corrosion protection, as 
a terminating action of the requirements of this [EASA] AD.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A340-32-5099, dated 
September 23, 2010; and A340-32-5101, dated October 20, 2010. 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 the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Difference Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as 
follows: The MCAI and the service information include a reporting 
requirement. This AD does not require reporting of the inspection 
results to the airplane manufacturer.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

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-2012-0996; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-040-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://www.regulations.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 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 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

[[Page 59734]]

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 adding the following new AD:

2012-19-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-17202. Docket No. FAA-2012-0996; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-040-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 16, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes; 
certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers; 
weight variant (WV) 000, WV001, WV002, WV003, and WV004.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by findings of corrosion and rust traces in 
the lugs and on the bearing outer surface of the nose landing gear 
(NLG) during routine maintenance checks. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the drag stay lower arm, which could result in 
NLG collapse and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane 
during takeoff.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Initial and Repetitive General Visual Inspections/Corrective Action

    (1) At the applicable compliance time specified in table 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of the drag 
stay lower arm assembly having part number (P/N) 30-1018002-01 of 
the NLG at the interface between the arm and the spherical bearing 
races for corrosion traces, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-5099, 
dated September 23, 2010.

          Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Compliance Time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Age of NLG drag stay lower arm
 assembly as of the effective date       Compliance time since first
    of this AD since its first        installation of the NLG drag stay
 installation on any airplane, or    lower arm assembly on any airplane,
since last NLG overhaul, or last P/ or since last NLG overhaul, or since
   N 30-1018002-01 replacement,          last P/N 30[dash]1018002-01
      whichever occurs latest       replacement, whichever occurs latest
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 36 months...............  Before the accumulation of 45
                                     months.
36 months or more, but less than    Before the accumulation of 52
 45 months.                          months, or within 9 months after
                                     the effective date of this AD,
                                     whichever occurs first.
45 months or more, but less than    Before the accumulation of 65
 60 months.                          months, or within 7 months after
                                     the effective date of this AD,
                                     whichever occurs first.
60 months or more, but less than    Before the accumulation of 75
 72 months.                          months, or within 5 months after
                                     the effective date of this AD,
                                     whichever occurs first.
72 months or more, but less than    Before the accumulation of 85
 84 months.                          months, or within 3 months after
                                     the effective date of this AD,
                                     whichever occurs first.
84 months or more.................  Within 1 month after the effective
                                     date of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) If no corrosion traces are found during the inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6 months.
    (3) If any corrosion traces are found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(4) of this AD: At the 
applicable time after the inspection specified in table 2 to 
paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, replace the NLG drag stay lower arm 
assembly with a new or serviceable assembly, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A340-32-5099, dated September 23, 2010.

   Table 2 to Paragraph (g)(3) of This AD--Replacement Compliance Time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    As of the date of accomplishing the
inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or
  (g)(2) of this AD: Age of NLG drag stay
    lower arm assembly, since its first      Then, after the inspection,
  installation on any airplane, or since              replace--
last NLG overhaul, or last P/N 30-1018002-
             01 replacement--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
More than 85 months and on which no         Within 5 flight cycles.
 inspection has been performed during the
 last 6 months.
65 months or more but 85 months or less,    Within 1 month.
 and on which no inspection has been
 performed during the last 6 months.
More than 64 months and on which an         Within 3 months.
 inspection has been performed during the
 last 6 months.
Less than 65 months.......................  Within 3 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4) Within 45 months after each replacement of the NLG drag 
stay lower arm assembly: Perform the initial inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-5099, 
dated September 23, 2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 6 months.

(h) Terminating Action

    Within 10 years after the effective date of this AD: Replace the 
NLG drag stay lower arm assembly with a serviceable assembly having 
improved corrosion protection, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-5101, 
dated October 20, 2010. Accomplishing this replacement terminates 
the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

[[Page 59735]]

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 emailed 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.

(j) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0214, dated November 2, 2010, and 
the service information specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of 
this AD, for related information.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-5099, dated 
September 23, 2010.
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-5101, dated 
October 20, 2010.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service 
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-5099, dated 
September 23, 2010.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-5101, dated 
October 20, 2010.
    (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; email [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 an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on September 12, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-23393 Filed 9-28-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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