Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12989-12991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4498]



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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2012 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 12989]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0997; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-043-AD; 
Amendment 39-16963; AD 2012-04-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A330-200 series airplanes; Model A330-300 series 
airplanes; Model A340-200 series airplanes; and Model A340-300 series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that three failures of the 
retraction bracket occurred during fatigue testing before the 
calculated life limit of the main landing gear (MLG). This AD requires 
repetitive replacement of the affected retraction bracket of the MLG. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the retraction bracket, 
which could result in a MLG extension with no damping, and consequent 
structural damage of the MLG.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 9, 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 October 5, 2011 (76 
FR 61645). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During fatigue testing of the MLG [main landing gear], three 
failures of the retraction bracket occurred before the calculated 
life limitation. Further analysis has confirmed that those failures 
were due to fatigue initiated by fretting between the bush and lug 
bore.
    The failure of the retraction bracket, if not detected, could 
lead to a MLG extension with no damping resulting in MLG structural 
damage.
    Airbus carried out an investigation, demonstrating that the life 
limit of retraction brackets must be reduced to 19,800 Landings 
(LDG), which is below the life limit stated in the following A330 
and A340 Airbus ALS Part 4 revisions:

--Airbus A330 ALS Part 4 revision 02 approved by EASA on 16 December 
2009.
--Airbus A340 ALS Part 4 revision 01 approved by EASA on 15 December 
2009.

    In order to maintain the structural integrity of the aeroplane, 
this [EASA] AD requires the replacement of these MLG retraction 
brackets before the accumulation of 19,800 total LDG.

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 (76 FR 61645, October 5, 
2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Change Made to This AD

    We have re-designated Notes 1 and 2 of the NPRM (76 FR 61645, 
October 5, 2011) as paragraph (h) in this final rule, and re-identified 
subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described 
previously--and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 61645, October 5, 2011) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 61645, October 5, 2011).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 29 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 25 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $200,000 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 
U.S. operators to be $5,861,625, or $202,125 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.

[[Page 12990]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
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);
    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 (76 FR 61645, October 5, 
2011), 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 adding the following new AD:

2012-04-07 Airbus: Amendment 39-16963. Docket No. FAA-2011-0997; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-043-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 9, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 
airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes; certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial 
numbers; except airplanes on which Airbus modification 54500 has 
been embodied in production; and except airplanes on which Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-32-3212 or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-
4256 has been embodied in service; as applicable to airplane model.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that three failures of the 
retraction bracket occurred during fatigue testing before the 
calculated life limit of the main landing gear (MLG). We are issuing 
this AD to prevent failure of the retraction bracket, which could 
result in a MLG extension with no damping, and consequent structural 
damage of the MLG.

(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) Replacement

    Before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on the 
retraction brackets of the MLG or within 900 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace the 
affected retraction bracket of the MLG specified in table 1 of this 
AD with a serviceable part, in accordance with a method approved by 
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, or European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). Thereafter, 
before the accumulation of 19,800 total landings on any retraction 
bracket of the MLG identified in table 1 of this AD, replace the 
retraction bracket with a serviceable part, in accordance with a 
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
or EASA (or its delegated

                 Table 1--Retraction Bracket of the MLG
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Nomenclature                           Part No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retraction Bracket of the MLG...........................       201478303
                                                               201478304
                                                               201478305
                                                               201478306
                                                               201478307
                                                               201478308
                                                               201428380
                                                               201428381
                                                               201428382
                                                               201428383
                                                               201428384
                                                               201428385
                                                               201428378
                                                               201428379
                                                               201428351
                                                               201428352
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Additional guidance for the 
replacement can be found in Task 32-11-11-000-804-A, Removal of the 
MLG Retraction Bracket Assembly, and Task 32-11-11-400-804-A, 
Installation of the MLG Retraction Bracket Assembly, of Subsection 
32-11-11 of Chapter 32 of the Airbus A330 or A340 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, as applicable.

(h) Definitions

    (1) For purposes of this AD, ``total landings'' is defined as 
the accumulated landings since the initial entry of the MLG 
retraction bracket into service on any airplane.
    (2) For purposes of this AD, the initial entry into service for 
the transferable systems components/items is defined as the date at 
which the component/item accomplishes the first flight for which it 
will undertake its intended function.

(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, 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

    (1) Refer to MCAI Airworthiness Directive EASA AD 2010-0205, 
dated October 8, 2010, for related information.
    (2) For Airbus 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.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.


[[Page 12991]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4498 Filed 3-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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