Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24367-24369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9185]



[[Page 24367]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1225; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-269-AD; 
Amendment 39-17019; AD 2012-08-03]
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 certain 
Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes; Model A300 B4-
600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F 
airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and Model 
A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in 
the forward lug wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the main landing 
gear (MLG). This AD requires installing new bushes with increased 
interference fit in the forward lug wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of 
the MLG on the right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) wing. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent cracking of the forward lug wing of the aft bearing 
at rib 5 of the MLG, which could adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the MLG attachment, and could result in the collapse of 
the MLG.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 29, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 29, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 November 8, 2011 (76 
FR 69168). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During a routine visual inspection on two A310 in-service 
aeroplanes, cracks were found in the wing MLG rib 5 aft bearing 
forward lug. Laboratory examination of the cracked ribs confirmed 
that the cracks were the result of pitting corrosion in the forward 
lug hole. Also on both aeroplanes, medium to heavy corrosion was 
found in the forward lugs on the opposite wing after removal of the 
bushes. Similarly to A310 aeroplanes, although there have been no 
reports of crack findings on any A300, A300-600 or A300-600ST 
aeroplanes, the differences in MLG rib 5 design compared to A310 
aeroplanes does not allow the exclusion of the possibility of 
cracks. This situation, if not corrected, could affect the 
structural integrity of the MLG attachment [which could result in 
the collapse of the MLG].
    In order to ensure the detection of any crack at an early stage 
in the forward lug of the RH and LH MLG rib 5 aft bearing forward 
lug, Airbus developed inspection programs which were rendered 
mandatory, initially by EASA AD 2006-0372-E [which corresponds with 
FAA AD 2007-03-18, Amendment 39-14929 (72 FR 5919, February 8, 
2007)] and now by [EASA] AD 2010-0250 applicable to A300B4/C4/F4 and 
A300-600 aeroplanes and [EASA] AD 2007-0195 [which corresponds with 
FAA AD 2008-17-02, Amendment 39-15640 (73 FR 47032, August 13, 
2008)] applicable to A310 aeroplanes.
    More recently, it has been determined that the installation of 
new bushes with increased interference fit adequately corrects the 
unsafe condition and ensures the structural integrity of the MLG 
attachment. Installation of these bushes constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of the existing 
EASA AD 2010-0250 for A300B4/C4/F4 and A300-600 aeroplanes, and 
[EASA] AD 2007-0195 for A310 aeroplanes.
    For the reasons described above, this new [EASA] AD requires 
installation of bushes with increased interference fit in the gear 
rib 5 aft bearing forward lug.

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 considered the comment received. FedEx commented on the 
NPRM (76 FR 69168, November 8, 2011), and noted the compliance 
thresholds fit within their scheduled maintenance checks.

Paragraph Reference Clarification

    We revised paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD to refer to paragraph 
(g) of this AD for the installation. We had inadvertently referred to 
paragraph (h) of the NPRM (76 FR 69168, November 8, 2011) for the 
installation.

Revised Service Information

    Since we issued the NPRM (76 FR 69168, November 8, 2011), we have 
reviewed the following new service information:
    <bullet> Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0249, Revision 
03, dated January 18, 2012 (for Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 
airplanes).
    <bullet> Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6106, Revision 
03, dated January 26, 2012 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes).
    <bullet> Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2090, Revision 
03, dated January 23, 2012 (for Airbus Model A310 series airplanes).
    We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to the revised 
service information, revised paragraph (j) of this AD to give credit 
for earlier revisions of the service bulletin, and re-identified 
subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the changes 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 69168, November 8, 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 69168, November 8, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 215 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 38 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 $4,590 per 
product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that 
are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 
U.S. operators to be $1,681,300, or $7,820 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

[[Page 24368]]

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 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 69168, November 8, 
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:

2012-08-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-17019. Docket No. FAA-2011-1225; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-269-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 29, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2007-03-18, Amendment 39-14929 (72 FR 5919, 
February 8, 2007); and AD 2008-17-02, Amendment 39-15640 (73 FR 
47032, August 13, 2008).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to airplanes, certified in any category, as 
specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes; all 
serial numbers; except airplanes where the main landing gear (MLG) 
rib 5 forward lugs of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) wings 
have been repaired by installation of oversized interference fit 
bushes specified in Airbus Repair Instruction R57240221, or those 
where the LH and RH wings have had Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A300-57-0249 embodied in service.
    (2) Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 
airplanes; Airbus Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; Airbus 
Model A300 F4-605R and F4-622R airplanes; and Airbus Model A300 C4-
605R Variant F airplanes; all serial numbers; except airplanes where 
the MLG rib 5 forward lugs of the LH and RH wing have been repaired 
by installation of oversized interference fit bushes specified in 
Airbus Repair Instruction R57240221, or those where the LH and RH 
wing have had Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6106 embodied in 
service.
    (3) Airbus Model A310-203, -204, -221, -222, -304, -322, -324, 
and -325 airplanes; all serial numbers; except airplanes where the 
MLG rib 5 forward lugs of the LH and RH wing have been repaired by 
installation of oversized interference fit bushes specified in 
Airbus Repair Instruction R57249121, or those where the LH and RH 
wing have had Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2090 
embodied in service.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the forward lug 
wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the main landing gear (MLG). We 
are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the forward lug wing of 
the aft bearing at rib 5 of the MLG, which could adversely affect 
the structural integrity of the MLG attachment, and could result in 
the collapse 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) Installation

    Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
new bushes with increased interference fit in the gear rib 5 aft 
bearing forward lug on the RH and LH wing, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin 
specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD; except 
as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0249, Revision 03, 
dated January 18, 2012 (for Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 
airplanes).
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6106, Revision 03, 
dated January 26, 2012 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes).
    (3) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2090, Revision 03, 
dated January 23, 2012 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(h) Exception

    If one wing had rib 5 forward lugs of the MLG repaired by 
installing oversized interference fit bushes as specified in Airbus 
Repair Instruction R57240221 or Airbus Repair Instruction R57249121, 
as applicable to the airplane model, then installing new bushes with 
increased interference fit in the aft bearing forward lug of the 
gear rib, as specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, is required for 
the opposite wing only.

(i) Terminating Action for Certain Inspections

    Installation of new bushes, as specified in paragraph (g) of 
this AD, is terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
required by AD 2007-03-18, Amendment 39-14929 (72 FR 5919, February 
8, 2007); and AD 2008-17-02, Amendment 39-15640 (73 FR 47032, dated 
August 13, 2008).

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using an applicable service bulletin specified in 
paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0249, dated May 22, 2007; 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0249, Revision 01, dated December 
19, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0249, 
Revision 02, dated June 18, 2010 (for Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and 
B4-203 airplanes).
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6106, May 22, 2007; Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-57-6106, Revision 01, January 28, 2008; or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6106, Revision 02, dated June 18, 
2010 (for Model A300-600 series airplanes).

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    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2090, dated May 22, 2007; 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2090, Revision 01, dated December 
19, 2007; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2090, Revision 02, 
dated June 18, 2010 (for Model A310 series airplanes).

(k) 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2010-0251, dated November 29, 2010, and the service 
information specified in paragraphs (l)(1) through (l)(3) this AD, 
for related information.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0249, Revision 03, 
dated January 18, 2012.
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6106, Revision 03, 
dated January 26, 2012.
    (3) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2090, Revision 03, 
dated January 23, 2012.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 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:
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0249, Revision 03, 
dated January 18, 2012.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6106, Revision 
03, dated January 26, 2012.
    (iii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57-2090, Revision 
03, dated January 23, 2012.
    (2) For Airbus service information identified in this AD, 
contact Airbus SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-9185 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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