Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 31, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4416-4419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27064; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-274-AD; 
Amendment 39-14915; AD 2007-03-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-
200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracking 
of the wing MLG (main landing gear) rib 6 aft bearing forward lugs, 
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the MLG 
attachment. This AD requires actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 15, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 15, 
2007.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; 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 street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative

[[Page 4417]]

Procedure Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to 
meet our technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and 
correct unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2006-0364-E, dated December 6, 2006 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that during MLG 
lubrication, a crack has been found visually in the MLG rib 6 aft 
bearing forward lug on one A330 in-service aircraft. The crack has 
extended through the entire thickness of the forward lug at 
approximately the 4 o'clock position (when looking forward). (Similar 
cracks have been found on MLGs with similar configurations on other 
Airbus airplane models). The investigations are ongoing to determine 
the root causes of this event and to define the appropriate corrective 
actions. This situation, if not corrected, could affect the structural 
integrity of the MLG attachment, which constitutes an unsafe condition. 
The aim of the MCAI is to mandate repetitive detailed visual 
inspections of the LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) wing MLG rib 6 
aft bearing lugs as the first step before finalization of the 
investigations, and replacement of MLG rib 6 if a crack is detected. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-57A3096, A340-57A4104, and 
A340-57A5009, all dated December 5, 2006. The actions described in this 
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

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, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all the information provided by the State of Design Authority 
and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take 
precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
during a MLG maintenance task for lubrication, a crack was visually 
detected in the wing MLG rib 6 aft bearing forward lug on one in-
service A330 aircraft. The crack had extended through the entire 
thickness of the forward lug at the 4 o'clock position. Failure of this 
attachment could result in gear collapse upon landing. Therefore, we 
determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

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-2007-27064; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-NM-274-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://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about 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 would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD would 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 this regulation:
    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); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

[[Page 4418]]

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 adding the following new AD:

2007-03-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-14915. Docket No. FAA-2007-27064; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-274-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 
15, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplanes:
    (1) Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes, all 
certified models, certificated in any category, all serial numbers; 
except those on which Airbus modification 49353 has been embodied in 
production, or Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3082 has been 
embodied in service on both wings; and except those that have been 
repaired on both wings as per Airbus UK Limited Repair Drawing R572-
56230, or Airbus A330 Structural Repair Manual 57-26-13, page block 
201.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes, all 
certified models, certificated in any category, all serial numbers; 
except those on which Airbus modification 49353 has been embodied in 
production, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4088 has been 
embodied in service on both wings; and except those that have been 
repaired on both wings as per Airbus UK Limited Repair Drawing R572-
56230, or Airbus A340 Structural Repair Manual 57-26-13, page block 
201.
    (3) Airbus Model A340-500 and A340-600 series airplanes, all 
certified models, certificated in any category, all serial numbers; 
except those on which Airbus modification 50040 or 51585 has been 
embodied in production.

Reason

    (d) EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2006-0364-E, dated 
December 6, 2006, states that during MLG lubrication, a crack has 
been found visually in the MLG (main landing gear) rib 6 aft bearing 
forward lug on one A330 in-service aircraft. The crack has extended 
through the entire thickness of the forward lug at approximately the 
4 o'clock position (when looking forward). (Similar cracks have been 
found on MLGs with similar configurations on other Airbus airplane 
models). The investigations are ongoing to determine the root causes 
of this event and to define the appropriate corrective actions. This 
situation, if not corrected, could affect the structural integrity 
of the MLG attachment, which constitutes an unsafe condition. The 
aim of the MCAI is to mandate repetitive detailed visual inspections 
of the LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) wing MLG rib 6 aft bearing 
lugs as the first step before finalization of the investigations, 
and replacement of MLG rib 6 if a crack is detected.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions in accordance 
with the instructions defined in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-
57A3096, dated December 5, 2006; A340-57A4104, dated December 5, 
2006; or A340-57A5009, dated December 5, 2006; as applicable.
    (1) Within 60 months since first flight, or 14 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a 
detailed visual inspection of the LH (left-hand) and RH (right-hand) 
wing MLG rib 6 aft bearing lugs (forward and aft) to detect any 
cracks on the two lugs.
    (2) If any crack is detected, contact Airbus immediately and 
proceed with the replacement of the MLG rib 6 before further flight.
    (3) If no crack is detected, repeat the inspection at intervals 
not to exceed the applicable interval specified in paragraph 
(e)(3)(i), (e)(3)(ii), or (e)(3)(iii) of this AD, and if a crack is 
detected during the repeat inspections, before further flight, apply 
the corrective action mentioned in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD as 
applicable.
    (i) 300 flight cycles (FC) for Model A330 airplanes.
    (ii) 200 FC for Model A340-200 and A340-300 airplanes.
    (iii) 100 FC for Model A340-500 and A340-600 airplanes.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/ or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Attn: Tim Backman, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before 
using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  39.19 on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal 
inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District 
Office.
    (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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
    (4) Special Flight Permits: We are not allowing special flight 
permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199).

Related Information

    (g) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2006-0364-E, dated 
December 6, 2006; and Airbus Service Bulletins A330-57A3096, A340-
57A4104, and A340-57A5009, all dated December 5, 2006; for related 
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of 
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

                                  Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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       Airbus service bulletin                    Revision                               Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-57A3096.........................  Original.....................  December 5, 2006.
A340-57A4104.........................  Original.....................  December 5, 2006.
A340-57A5009.........................  Original.....................  December 5, 2006.
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[[Page 4419]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 23, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-1394 Filed 1-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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