Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 45 (Thursday, March 7, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14647-14649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04632]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1164; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-075-AD; 
Amendment 39-17370; AD 2013-04-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 14648]]

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A310-204, -222, -304, -322, and -324 airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by the manufacturer re-classifying slat extension 
eccentric bolts as principle structural elements (PSE) with replacement 
due at or before newly calculated fatigue life limits. This AD requires 
replacing slat extension eccentric bolts and associated washers with 
new slat extension eccentric bolts and washers. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent fatigue cracking, which could result in the loss of 
structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 11, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 11, 
2013.

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, WA 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 19, 2012 
(77 FR 69391). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information (MCAI) states:

    Slat extension eccentric bolts have been reclassified as 
Principal Structural Elements (PSE). As a result, associated fatigue 
lives will be published in the Airbus A310 Airworthiness Limitation 
Section (ALS) Part 1 and bolts must be replaced at or before their 
calculated fatigue lives.
    Failure to replace the bolts within the new fatigue life limits 
constitutes an unsafe condition.
    For the reasons explained above, this [European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA)] AD requires:

--for A310-300 aeroplanes, the replacement of slat extension 
eccentric bolts, Part Number (P/N) A57844015200, with slat extension 
eccentric bolts P/N A57844015204 at the slat 2 tracks 4 and 7 and 
slat 3 track 8 positions on both Left Hand (LH) and Right Hand (RH) 
wings, and
--for A310-300 and A310-200 aeroplanes that incorporate Airbus 
modification 04809, the replacement of slat extension eccentric 
bolts, P/N A57843624200 and associated washers P/N A57844016200, 
with slat extension eccentric bolts P/N A57843624202 and washers P/N 
A57844391200 at the slat 2 track 5 position, on both LH and RH 
wings.

    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 69391, November 19, 
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 69391, November 19, 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 69391, November 19, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 1 product of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it will take about 9 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 $25,250 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 $26,015, or $26,015 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 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 69391, November 19, 
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 14649]]

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:

2013-04-12 Airbus: Amendment 39-17370. Docket No. FAA-2012-1164; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-075-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 11, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A310-204, -222, -304, -322, and 
-324 airplanes, certificated in any category, having received in 
production Airbus modification 04809 without Airbus modification 
06243 or 13596.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the manufacturer re-classifying slat 
extension eccentric bolts as principle structural elements (PSE) 
with replacement due at or before newly calculated fatigue life 
limits. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking, which 
could result in the loss of structural integrity 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) Compliance Times

    At the applicable time specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), 
or (g)(3) of this AD: Do the replacements specified in paragraphs 
(h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, as applicable. For the purposes of 
this AD, to establish the average flight time (AFT), take the 
accumulated flight time (counted from the take-off up to the 
landing) and divide it by the number of accumulated flight cycles. 
This gives the AFT per flight cycle.
    (1) For Model A310-304, -322, and -324 airplanes operated with 
an AFT of less than 4 hours: Before the accumulation of 66,000 total 
flight hours or 40,000 total flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (2) For Model A310-304, -322, and -324 airplanes operated with 
an AFT of 4 hours or more: Before the accumulation of 66,000 total 
flight hours or 31,400 total flight cycles, whichever occurs first.
    (3) For Model A310-204 and -222 airplanes with Airbus 
modification 04809: Before the accumulation of 71,800 total flight 
hours or 35,900 total flight cycles, whichever occurs first.

(h) Replacement of Slat Extension Eccentric Bolt and Hardware on Both 
Wings

    (1) For Model A310-304, -322, and -324 airplanes: Replace the 
slat extension eccentric bolts, part number (P/N) A57844015200, at 
the slat 2, tracks 4 and 7, and slat 3, track 8 positions with new 
slat eccentric extension bolts, P/N A57844015204, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A310-57-2100, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2012.
    (2) For Model A310-304, -322, and -324 airplanes, and Model 
A310-204 and -222 airplanes that have incorporated Airbus 
modification 04809: Replace the slat extension eccentric bolts, P/N 
A57843624200, at the slat 2, track 5, position with new slat 
extension eccentric bolts, P/N A57843624202; and replace the 
associated washers of eccentric bolts, P/N A57844016200, at the slat 
2, track 5, position with washers, P/N A57844391200; in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A310-57-2100, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2012.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    After the modification of the airplane with the replacement of 
slat extension eccentric bolts and associated hardware required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, no person may install any slat 
extension eccentric bolt, P/N A57844015200 or P/N A57843624200, with 
associated washer P/N A57844016200, on that airplane.

(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: Dan Rodina, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 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.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2012-0042, dated April 10, 2012; and Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A310-57-2100, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2012; 
for related information.

(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 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 A310-57-2100, Revision 01, 
dated February 3, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For 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.
    (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 February 21, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-04632 Filed 3-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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