Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 102 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33368-33371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11931]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4815; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-112-AD; 
Amendment 39-18522; AD 2016-10-11]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-03-06 for 
all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, 
A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. AD 2015-03-06 
required repetitive inspections of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand 
(RH) wing main landing gear (MLG) rib 6 aft bearing lugs (forward and 
aft) to detect any cracks on the two lugs, and replacement if 
necessary. This new AD requires reduction of certain compliance times. 
This AD was prompted by reports of additional cracking of the MLG rib 6 
aft bearing lugs. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking 
of the MLG rib 6 aft bearing lugs, which could result in collapse of 
the MLG upon landing.

DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 30, 
2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of March 
25, 2015 (80 FR 8511, February 18, 2015).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact

[[Page 33369]]

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-
4815.

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-
4815; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-
647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2015-03-06, Amendment 39-18102 (80 FR 8511, 
February 18, 2015) (``AD 2015-03-06''). AD 2015-03-06 applied to all 
Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, A340-
300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on November 19, 2015 (80 FR 72398) (``the NPRM''). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of additional cracking of the MLG rib 6 
aft bearing lugs. The NPRM proposed to continue to require repetitive 
inspections of the LH and RH wing MLG rib 6 aft bearing lugs (forward 
and aft) to detect any cracks on the two lugs at a more restrictive 
initial inspection threshold with a grace period for airplanes that 
have already exceeded the new threshold; and replacement, if necessary. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the MLG rib 6 
aft bearing lugs, which could result in collapse of the MLG upon 
landing.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0120, dated June 26, 2015 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Airbus Model 
A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, 
and A340-600 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During Main Landing Gear (MLG) lubrication, a crack was visually 
found in the MLG rib 6 aft bearing forward lug on one A330 in-
service aeroplane. The crack had extended through the entire 
thickness of the forward lug at approximately the 4 o'clock position 
(when looking forward). It has been determined that a similar type 
of crack can develop on other aeroplane types that are listed in the 
Applicability paragraph.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the 
structural integrity of the MLG attachment.
    To address this situation, Airbus issued inspection Service 
Bulletin (SB) A330-57-3096, SB A340-57-4104 and SB A340-57-5009 to 
provide instructions for repetitive inspections of the gear rib 
lugs.
    Prompted by these findings, EASA issued Emergency AD 2006-0364-E 
to require repetitive detailed visual inspections of the Left Hand 
(LH) and Right Hand (RH) wing MLG rib 6 aft bearing lugs.
    Later, EASA issued AD 2007-0247-E, which superseded [EASA] AD 
2006-0364-E, to:
--expand the Applicability to all A330 and A340 aeroplanes, because 
the interference fit bushes cannot be considered as a terminating 
action, owing to unknown root cause; and
--add a second parameter quoted in flight hours (FH) to the 
inspection interval in order to reflect the aeroplane utilisation in 
service.

    EASA AD 2007-0247-E was revised to correct a typographical 
error.
    Since the first crack finding and issuance of the inspection SBs 
and related ADs, six further cracks were reported.
    Consequently, EASA issued AD 2013-0271 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2015-03-06, Amendment 39-18102 (80 FR 8511, February 18, 2015)], 
which retained the requirements of [EASA] AD 2007-0247R1-E, which 
was superseded, and expanded the Applicability of the [EASA] AD to 
the newly certified models A330-223F and A330-243F. That [EASA] AD 
also reduced the inspection threshold(s) to reflect the updated risk 
assessment and in-service experience.
    Since this [EASA] AD was issued, a new occurrence of crack 
finding was reported. Further analysis resulted in the need to 
reduce the threshold of the initial inspection.
    Prompted by this finding, Airbus issued SB A330-57-3096 Revision 
06 to introduce a more restrictive initial inspection threshold and 
a grace period for aeroplanes which have already passed the new 
threshold.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD partially 
retains the requirements of EASA AD 2013-0271, which is superseded, 
and introduces reduced initial inspection thresholds.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4815.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Reference Unpublished Service Information That Terminates 
Repetitive Inspections

    American Airlines requested that we add a paragraph to the proposed 
AD that references new service information that would terminate the 
proposed repetitive inspections. The commenter stated that an Airbus 
retrofit information letter was published indicating that Airbus plans 
to release new service information that will terminate the mandatory 
repetitive inspections required by AD 2015-03-06.
    We do not agree because the new service information is not yet 
released. In an AD, we cannot refer to service information that does 
not exist because doing so violates Office of the Federal Register 
(OFR) regulations for approval of materials incorporated by reference 
in rules. To allow operators to use service information issued after 
publication of an AD, either we must supersede the AD to reference 
specific service information, or operators must request approval to use 
the new service information as an alternative method of compliance with 
the AD under the provisions of paragraph (k) of this AD. We have not 
revised this AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

[[Page 33370]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 06, dated 
May 29, 2015. The service information describes procedures for detailed 
inspections to detect any cracking on the forward and aft lugs of the 
LH and RH wing MLG Rib 6. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 101 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2015-03-06, and retained in this AD take 
about 2 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 2015-03-06 is $170 per product.
    The new requirement (reduced compliance time) of this AD adds no 
additional economic burden.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.

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) 
2015-03-06, Amendment 39-18102 (80 FR 8511, February 18, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-10-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-18522; Docket No. FAA-2015-4815; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-112-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 30, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-03-06, Amendment 39-18102 (80 FR 8511, 
February 18, 2015) (``AD 2015-03-06'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus 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, -313, 
-541, and -642 airplanes; certificated in any category; all 
manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the main landing 
gear (MLG) rib 6 aft bearing forward lug. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct cracking of the MLG rib 6 aft bearing lugs, which 
could result in collapse of the MLG upon landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections

    At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection for cracking of the 
left-hand and right-hand wing MLG rib 6 aft bearing lugs (forward 
and aft), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 06, dated May 29, 
2015 (for Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -
301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes); 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4104, Revision 04, dated October 17, 
2013 (for Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313 airplanes); 
or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5009, Revision 03, dated October 
17, 2013 (for Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes).
    (1) Within 24 months or 2,000 flight cycles, whichever occurs 
first since airplane first flight or since the last MLG support rib 
replacement, as applicable.
    (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Repetitive Inspections

    Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
thereafter at the time specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(7) 
of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, and -243 airplanes: 
Repeat the inspections at intervals not to exceed 300 flight cycles 
or 1,500 flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    (2) For Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes: Repeat the 
inspections at intervals not to exceed 300 flight cycles or 900 
flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    (3) For Model A330-301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -
342, and -343 airplanes: Repeat the inspections at intervals not to 
exceed 300 flight cycles or 900 flight hours, whichever occurs 
first.
    (4) For Model A340-211, -212, and -213 airplanes: Repeat the 
inspections at intervals not to exceed 200 flight cycles or 800 
flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    (5) For Model A340-311 and -312 airplanes; and Model A340-313 
airplanes (except weight variant (WV) 27): Repeat the inspections at 
intervals not to exceed 200 flight cycles or 800 flight hours, 
whichever occurs first.
    (6) For Model A340-313 (only WV27) airplanes: Repeat the 
inspections at intervals not to exceed 200 flight cycles or 400 
flight hours, whichever occurs first.
    (7) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: Repeat the 
inspections at intervals not to exceed 100 flight cycles or 500 
flight hours, whichever occurs first.

(i) Corrective Action

    If any crack is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the 
cracked MLG support rib 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

[[Page 33371]]

Organization Approval (DOA). Replacement of an MLG support rib does 
not terminate the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) 
of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using the applicable service 
information identified in paragraphs (j)(1) through (j)(15) of this 
AD.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57A3096, dated December 5, 
2006, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2007-03-04, 
Amendment 39-14915 (72 FR 4416, January 31, 2007) (``AD 2007-03-
04'').
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57A3096, Revision 01, dated 
April 18, 2007, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (3) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 02, dated 
August 13, 2007, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2007-22-
10, Amendment 39-15246 (72 FR 61796, November 1, 2007; corrected 
November 16, 2007 (72 FR 64532)) (``AD 2007-22-10'').
    (4) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 03, dated 
October 24, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (5) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 04, dated 
February 6, 2013, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (6) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 05, dated 
October 17, 2013, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2015-03-
06.
    (7) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57A4104, dated December 5, 
2006, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2007-03-04.
    (8) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4104, Revision 01, dated 
August 13, 2007, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (9) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4104, Revision 02, dated 
September 5, 2007, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2007-
22-10.
    (10) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4104, Revision 03, dated 
October 24, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (11) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57A5009, dated December 5, 
2006, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2007-03-04.
    (12) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5009, Revision 01, dated 
August 13, 2007, which was incorporated by reference in AD 2007-22-
10.
    (13) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5009, Revision 02, dated 
October 24, 2012, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (14) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A57L005-14, dated July 
15, 2014, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (15) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission A57L005-14, Revision 
01, dated August 20, 2014, which is not incorporated by reference in 
this AD.

(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, 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.
    (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 EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA. If 
approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information 
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those 
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any 
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended. 
Those procedures and tests that are not identified as RC may be 
deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the 
operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining 
approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and tests identified as 
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests 
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0120, dated June 26, 2015, 
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-2015-4815.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(5) and (m)(6) of this AD.

 (m) 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 
June 30, 2016.
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3096, Revision 06, dated May 
29, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 25, 2015 (80 FR 8511, February 18, 2015).
    (i) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4104, Revision 04, dated 
October 17, 2013.
    (ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-5009, Revision 03, dated 
October 17, 2013.
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 May 12, 2016.
Suzanne Masterson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-11931 Filed 5-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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