Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65812-65815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26192]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0719; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-240-AD; 
Amendment 39-17235; AD 2012-21-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and -
300

[[Page 65813]]

series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by reports of ram air turbine (RAT) pump failure. This AD 
requires inspecting the RAT pump anti-stall valve for correct setting, 
re-identifying the RAT pump, performing a functional ground test of the 
RAT, and replacing the RAT pump or the RAT assembly with a serviceable 
part if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
malfunction of the RAT pump, which could lead to in-flight loss of the 
RAT-pump pressurization, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 5, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 5, 
2012.

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 July 11, 2012 (77 FR 
40830). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) states:

    During a test flight before delivery from production, an A330 
aeroplane experienced a RAT [ram air turbine] pump failure, as a 
result of which, the green hydraulic system could not be fully 
pressurized.
    Investigations concluded that this malfunction was due to poor 
installation of the anti-stall valve sleeve, causing a shift in the 
anti-stall speed setting and leading to an inability of the 
hydraulic pump Part Number (P/N) 5909522 to provide enough hydraulic 
pressure.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the 
in-flight loss of the RAT-Pump pressurization which, in case of a 
total engine flame out, could have consequences for the hydraulic 
circuits, possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane. 
A340-500/-600 series aeroplanes are not affected by this issue 
because they are fitted with a different hydraulic pump P/N.
    For the reasons described above, this [European Aviation Safety 
Agency] AD requires a check to ensure correct setting of the RAT 
anti-stall valve in the pump housing, followed by a RAT functional 
ground test, and accomplishment of the applicable corrective 
actions, depending on findings.

Corrective actions include replacing the RAT pump or the RAT assembly 
with a serviceable part. Required actions include reporting the 
findings of the inspection. 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 (77 FR 40830, July 11, 
2012) 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--except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 40830, July 11, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 40830, July 11, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 59 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $20,060, or $340 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 7 work-hours and require parts costing up to $405,143, for a 
cost of up to $405,738 per product. We have no way of determining the 
number of products that may need these actions.

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.

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 (77 FR 40830, July 11, 2012), 
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:

[[Page 65814]]

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:

2012-21-19 Airbus: Amendment 39-17235. Docket No. FAA-2012-0719; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-240-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 5, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
243, -223F, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -
312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any category; all 
manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29: Hydraulic 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of ram air turbine (RAT) pump 
failure. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct malfunction of 
the RAT pump, which could lead to in-flight loss of the RAT-pump 
pressurization, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
airplane.

(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) Actions

    (1) Within the applicable compliance time specified in table 1 
to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, as applicable, check the RAT pump 
anti-stall valve for correct setting, re-identify the RAT pump, and 
do a functional ground test of the RAT, except as provided by 
paragraph (g)(3) of this AD; in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service bulletin specified in 
paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.

        Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1) of This AD--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Affected airplanes                    Compliance time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For airplanes on which Airbus A330   Within 3,000 flight hours or 7
 certification maintenance            months, whichever occurs first
 requirements (CMR) Task 292000-      after the effective date of this
 00001-1-C, or Airbus A340-200/-300   AD.
 CMR Task 292000-A0001-1-C, or
 Airbus A330/A340 maintenance
 review board report (MRBR) Task
 29.20.00/06, as applicable to the
 airplane type, has not been
 accomplished as of the effective
 date of this AD.
For airplanes on which the Airbus    Within 24 months after the last
 A330 CMR Task 292000-00001-1-C, or   accomplishment of Airbus A330 CMR
 Airbus A340-200/-300 CMR Task        Task 292000-00001-1-C, or Airbus
 292000-A0001-1-C, or Airbus A330/    A340-200/-300 CMR Task 292000-
 A340 MRBR Task 29.20.00/06, as       A0001-1-C, or Airbus A330/A340
 applicable to the airplane type,     MRBR Task 29.20.00/06, applicable
 has already been accomplished as     to the airplane type, or 30 days
 of the effective date of this AD.    after the effective date of this
                                      AD, whichever occurs later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-29-3117, dated July 
19, 2011 (for Model A330 series airplanes).
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-4090, dated July 
19, 2011 (for Model A340 series airplanes).
    (2) If the functional ground test of the RAT, as required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, is not successful (as defined by the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin 
specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD): Before 
further flight, replace the RAT pump or the RAT assembly with a 
serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the applicable service bulletin specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) 
or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (3) Any airplane equipped with a RAT hydraulic pump marked with 
an ``X'' or a date (month/year) in the amendment cell C of the 
identification plate, which has been successfully tested (as defined 
by the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service 
bulletin specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD) 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of 
this AD prior to the effective date of this AD, is considered 
compliant with the requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of 
this AD.

(h) Parts Installation Limitations

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any 
RAT hydraulic pump or RAT assembly on any airplane unless it has 
been inspected, corrected, and successfully tested (as defined by 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin 
specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD) in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, on any 
airplane.

(i) Definition

    A serviceable part is a RAT hydraulic pump or RAT assembly that 
has been inspected, corrected, and successfully tested (as defined 
by the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service 
bulletin specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD), 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of 
this AD.

(j) 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.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2011-0197, dated October 10, 2011, and the service 
bulletins specified in paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(2) of this AD, for 
related information.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-29-3117, dated July 
19, 2011.
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-4090, dated July 
19, 2011.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this

[[Page 65815]]

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-29-3117, dated July 
19, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-29-4090, dated July 
19, 2011.
    (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, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26192 Filed 10-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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