[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37028-37029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14433]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-53-AD; Amendment 39-11775; AD 2000-11-26]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 and A340 series airplanes, that
requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections to detect corrosion of the
retraction links of the main landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the
retraction link with a new retraction link, if necessary. 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 detect and correct corrosion of
the retraction link of the MLG, which could result in reduced
structural integrity and possible collapse of the MLG.
DATES: Effective July 18, 2000. The incorporation by reference of
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register as of July 18, 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, 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 and A340
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2000
(65 FR 18258). That action proposed to require repetitive ultrasonic
inspections to detect corrosion of the retraction links of the main
landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the retraction link with a new
retraction link, if necessary.
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
None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.
Register. All airplanes included in the applicablity of this rule
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry;
therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However,
the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes
are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour to
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be
$60 per airplane, per inspection 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)
[[Page 37029]]
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:
2000-11-26 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11775. Docket 2000-NM-53-
AD.
Applicability: All Model A330 and A340 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 detect and correct corrosion of the retraction links of the
main landing gear (MLG), which could result in reduced structural
integrity and possible collapse of the MLG, accomplish the
following:
Repetitive Ultrasonic Inspections
(a) Within 36 months time-in-service on any new retraction link,
or within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, perform an ultrasonic inspection to detect corrosion
of the retraction links left-and right-hand of the MLG, in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3105, Revision 01,
dated December 14, 1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes), or Airbus
Service Bulletin A340-32-4148, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999
(for Model A340 series airplanes), as applicable.
(1) If no corrosion is detected, or if corrosion is detected
that is within the limits specified in the applicable service
bulletin, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 6 months.
(2) If any corrosion is detected that is outside the limits
specified in the applicable service bulletin, replace the affected
retraction link with a new retraction link at the time specified and
in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable
service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection specified in
paragraph (a) on any new retraction links, at the time specified in
paragraph (a) of this AD.
Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins reference Messier-Dowty
Service Bulletins A33/34-32-151, Revision 3, including Appendix A,
and A33/34-32-152, Revision 3, including Appendix A, each dated
January 11, 2000, as additional sources of service information for
accomplishing the repetitive inspections.
Note 3: Although the inspection schedule of this AD applies to
both left-and right-hand retraction links of the MLG, replacement of
a retraction link, prior to scheduled replacement, would result in
subsequent staggered inspections for the remainder of the retraction
links.
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 4: 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
(c) 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
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A330-32-3105, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999; or
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4148, Revision 01, dated December
14, 1999; 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 2000-013-107(B) R1, dated February 9, 2000,
and 2000-015-132(B), dated January 12, 2000.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-14433 Filed 6-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U