Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59032-59035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24672]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3981; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-126-AD; 
Amendment 39-18280; AD 2015-20-02]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-02-10 for 
all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 
and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes. AD 2013-02-10 required an inspection of the rods to 
determine the manufacturer; and for affected parts, an inspection for 
any cracking of the rods, and related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary. This AD revises the affected airplanes of a 
certain paragraph of AD 2013-02-10 due to the discovery of an error. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rods, which 
could result in rupture of rods that attach the belly fairing to the 
airframe, leading to separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, 
and consequent damage to airplane structure and airplane systems.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 16, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 8, 2013 
(78 FR 7257, February 1, 2013).
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 16, 2015.

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.
    <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.
    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. You may view this referenced 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3981.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3981; 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, WA 98057-3356; telephone: 425-227-1138; 
fax: 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On January 16, 2013, we issued AD 2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 
(78 FR 7257, February 1, 2013), which applied to all Airbus Model A330-
200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and -300 series 
airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2013-02-10 
was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in certain rods 
installed in the belly fairing, which could lead to cracks at the 
crimped end of the rod. AD 2013-02-10 required an inspection of the 
rods to determine the manufacturer; and for

[[Page 59033]]

affected parts, an inspection for any cracking of the rods, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We issued AD 2013-
02-10 to detect and correct cracking of the rods, which could result in 
rupture of rods that attach the belly fairing to the airframe, leading 
to separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, and consequent 
damage to airplane structure and airplane systems.
    Since we issued AD 2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 7257, 
February 1, 2013), we have discovered an inadvertent error in the 
identification of the affected airplane models in the inspection 
requirements of AD 2013-02-10. Paragraph (g) of AD 2013-02-10 referred 
to Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes, but did 
not limit the affected airplanes to certain manufacturer serial 
numbers.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2012-0005, dated January 10, 2012 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series 
airplanes; Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 
and -300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A rod manufacturing process defect has been identified at the 
supplier, Technical Airborne Components Industries (TAC), which 
could lead to cracks at the crimped end of the rod.
    A design review of all affected rods has demonstrated that 
rupture of rods which attach the belly fairing can lead to 
separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, which would 
constitute an unsafe condition.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires detailed 
visual inspections of the 21 affected rods installed in the belly 
fairing for manufacturer identification, and if TAC is identified as 
manufacturer, or if the manufacturer cannot be identified, to 
further inspect the rods to find any crack, using a high frequency 
eddy current (HFEC) method and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of the applicable corrective actions, to ensure 
structural integrity of the belly fairing rods. This AD also 
prohibits installation of an affected TAC rod as replacement part in 
the belly fairing to all aeroplanes.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3981.

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 these 
same type designs.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-53-3186 and A340-53-4185, 
both Revision 01, both dated April 7, 2011. The service information 
describes procedures for an inspection of the rods to determine the 
manufacturer; and for affected parts, an inspection for any cracking of 
the rods, and related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    We are superseding AD 2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 7257, 
February 1, 2013), to correct an error in the identification of the 
affected airplane models in the inspection requirements of paragraph 
(g) of AD 2013-02-10. We have made no other changes to the requirements 
published in AD 2013-02-10. Also, we have determined that this change 
is relieving to certain operators of the Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -
213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes and imposes no additional burden on 
any operator. Therefore, we determined that 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-2015-3981; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NM-126-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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 54 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 
7257, February 1, 2013), and retained in this AD take about 13 work-
hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work-hour. Based 
on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions that were required 
by AD 2013-02-10 is $59,670, or $1,105 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 28 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$2,380 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. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might 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

[[Page 59034]]

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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 7257, February 1, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

2015-20-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-18280. Docket No. FAA-2015-3981; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-126-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective October 16, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 7257, 
February 1, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, 
-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in 
certain rods installed in the belly fairing, which could lead to 
cracks at the crimped end of the rod, and by the discovery of an 
error in the affected airplanes of a certain paragraph of AD 2013-
02-10. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the 
rods, which could result in rupture of rods that attach the belly 
fairing to the airframe, leading to separation of the belly fairing 
from the airframe, and consequent damage to airplane structure and 
airplane systems.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Retained Inspections and Applicable Related Investigative and 
Corrective Actions With Revised Affected Airplanes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 7257, February 1, 2013), with 
revised affected airplanes. For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -
223F, -243, -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, 
and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and 
-313 airplanes, having manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 0002 to 
1113 inclusive, except MSNs 0996, 1039, 1054, 1059, 1105, 1107, 
1108, and 1112: Within 72 months after March 8, 2013 (the effective 
date of AD 2013-02-10), accomplish the actions in paragraphs (g)(1) 
and (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, Revision 01, 
dated April 7, 2011 (for Model A330 airplanes); or A340-53-4185, 
Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes).
    (1) Do a detailed inspection of the 21 rods of the belly fairing 
identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, Revision 01, 
dated April 7, 2011 (for Model A330 airplanes); or A340-53-4185, 
Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes); for rod 
manufacturer identification. A review of airplane maintenance 
records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the manufacturer 
of the rods can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (2) If the rod manufacturer is found to be Technical Airborne 
Components Industries (TAC), or if the manufacturer cannot be 
identified, do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for 
cracking of the crimped end of the rod body and, if any crack is 
found, before further flight, do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions.

(h) Retained Parts Installation Limitations With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 7257, February 1, 2013), with 
no changes. As of March 8, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-02-
10), no person may install any affected TAC rod, as identified in 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, Revision 01, dated April 7, 
2011; or A340-53-4185, Revision 01, dated April 7, 2011; as 
applicable; on any airplane unless the rod has passed (found to have 
no cracking) the inspection as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this 
AD.

(i) Retained Credit for Previous Actions With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the credit provided by paragraph (i) of 
AD 2013-02-10, Amendment 39-17331 (78 FR 7257, February 1, 2013), 
with no changes. This paragraph provides credit for the inspections 
and corrective actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if 
those actions were performed before March 8, 2013 (the effective 
date of AD 2013-02-10), using Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, 
dated January 17, 2011 (for Model A330 airplanes); or A340-53-4185, 
dated January 17, 2011 (for Model A340 airplanes); which are not 
incorporated by reference in 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, 
WA 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. 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions 
from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2012-0005, dated January 10, 2012, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2015-3981.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is

[[Page 59035]]

available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (l)(4) and (l)(5) 
of this AD.

(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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 8, 2013 (78 FR 7257, February 1, 2013).
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3186, Revision 01, dated 
April 7, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4185, Revision 01, dated 
April 7, 2011.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this 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.
    (6) 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 September 17, 2015.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24672 Filed 9-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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