Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 152 (Monday, August 9, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43050-43051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20061]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-17-AD; Amendment 39-11242; AD 99-16-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, that requires 
repetitive inspections to detect cracked or broken support brackets of 
the upper wing-to-fuselage fairings, and replacement of any discrepant 
support brackets with new brackets. This amendment also requires 
replacement of the fairing seals with new, improved seals; modification 
of the fairing panels; and installation of new bulkheads; which 
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural 
integrity of the fairing support brackets, which could result in loss 
of the wing-to-fuselage fairings during flight, and consequent 
structural damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective September 13, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 28, 1999 (64 
FR 22816). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections to 
detect cracked or broken support brackets of the upper wing-to-fuselage 
fairings, and replacement of any discrepant support brackets with new 
brackets. That action also proposed to require replacement of the 
fairing seals with new, improved seals; modification of the fairing 
panels; and installation of new bulkheads; which would constitute 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 47 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,640, or $120 per 
airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required replacement, modification, and installation, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$1,690 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
replacement, modification and installation required by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $96,350, or $2,050 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-16-07  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11242. Docket 99-NM-17-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310-200 series airplanes, on which Airbus 
Modification 4800 or 4906 has been accomplished; and Model A310-300 
series airplanes on which Airbus Modification 11758 has not been 
accomplished; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD.

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The request should include an assessment of the effect of the 
modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of the support brackets 
of the upper wing-to-fuselage fairing, which could result in loss of 
the wing-to-fuselage fairings during flight, and consequent 
structural damage to the airplane, accomplish the following:

Initial/Repetitive Inspections

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight hours or 
within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Perform a detailed visual inspection to 
detect cracked or broken support brackets of the upper wing-to-
fuselage fairings, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-
53-2078, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1997. Repeat the detailed 
visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,500 flight 
hours.

Corrective Action

    (b) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
replace the discrepant support bracket with a new bracket in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2078, Revision 1, 
dated March 24, 1997. Repeat the inspection required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,500 flight 
hours.

Terminating Action

    (c) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Perform the initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2078, 
Revision 1, dated March 24, 1997.
    (2) Replace the fairing seals with new, improved seals; modify 
the fairing panels; and install new bulkheads; in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-53-2083, Revision 02, dated May 5, 
1998. Accomplishment of these actions constitutes terminating action 
for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A310-53-2078, Revision 1, dated March 24, 1997, and Airbus 
Service Bulletin A310-53-2083, Revision 02, dated May 5, 1998. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point 
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 97-175-228(B) R1 and 98-450-261(B), both 
dated November 18, 1998.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 13, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 28, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20061 Filed 8-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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