Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322 Series Airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71004-71005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32583]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-195-AD; Amendment 39-11471; AD 99-26-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322 
Series Airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
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 all Airbus Model A330-301, -321, and -322 series 
airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series 
airplanes, that requires repetitive replacements of the yaw damper 
actuator installed on active position with a new or overhauled yaw 
damper actuator. 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 
hydraulic leakage from the yaw damper actuator installed on active 
position due to premature wear of the dynamic seals between the 
actuator piston and the piston bearing. Hydraulic leakage could lead to 
complete loss of the green hydraulic circuit, which could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective January 24, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 24, 2000.

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 all Airbus Model A330-301, -321, 
and -322 series airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, 
and -313 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
October 8, 1999 (64 FR 54797). That action proposed to require 
repetitive replacements of the yaw damper actuator installed on active 
position with a new or overhauled yaw damper actuator.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No

[[Page 71005]]

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.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will 
positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this 
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may 
consider additional rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    Currently, there are no Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322 series 
airplanes, or Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series 
airplanes on the U.S. Register. However, should an affected airplane be 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it will require 
approximately 2 work hours to accomplish the required replacement, at 
an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The manufacturer has 
committed previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of 
replacement parts. As a result, the cost of those parts are not 
attributable to this AD. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this AD will be $120 per airplane, per replacement cycle.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

99-26-12  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11471. Docket 99-NM-195-AD.
    Applicability: All Model A330-301, -321, and -322 series 
airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
series airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 (b) of 
this AD. 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 hydraulic leakage from the yaw damper actuator which 
could lead to complete loss of the green hydraulic circuit, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Repetitive Replacement

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 6,500 total flight hours, or 
within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, replace the yaw damper actuator installed on 
active position with a new or overhauled yaw damper actuator in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3055, Revision 01, 
dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or A340-27-
4063, Revision 01, dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A340 series 
airplanes); as applicable. Thereafter, repeat the replacement at 
intervals not to exceed 6,500 flight hours.

    Note 2: Replacement of yaw dampers accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-27-3055, dated August 26, 1997 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4063, dated August 
26, 1997 (for Model A340 series airplanes); as applicable; is an 
acceptable method of compliance for the initial replacement required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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

    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A330-27-3055, Revision 01, dated July 1, 1998; or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4063, Revision 01, dated July 1, 
1998; as applicable. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 1998-100-067(B) R2, dated May 19, 1999, and 
98-104-083(B), dated February 25, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 24, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-32583 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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