[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 63 (Friday, April 2, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16696-16698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7460]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0278; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-255-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-223, -321, -322, and
-323 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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: During accomplishment of Damage Tolerant--Airworthiness
Limitation Item task 712106-01-01 from A330 ALS Part 2, an A330
operator found a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) indication in
the head of the shank filet radius in one of the Pratt & Whitney (PW)
forward (FWD) engine mount pylon bolts. Dual-bolt fractures could lead
to inability for mount assembly to sustain loads which may lead to an
engine mount failure and consequently to engine separation from the
aeroplane during flight, which would constitute an unsafe condition.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 17, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed 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; e-mail [email protected]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about
[[Page 16697]]
this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0278; Directorate
Identifier 2009-NM-255-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed
AD based on those comments.
We have lengthened the 30-day comment period for proposed ADs that
address MCAI originated by aviation authorities of other countries to
provide adequate time for interested parties to submit comments. The
comment period for these proposed ADs is now typically 45 days, which
is consistent with the comment period for domestic transport ADs.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0240, dated November 5, 2009 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
During accomplishment of Damage Tolerant--Airworthiness
Limitation Item task 712106-01-01 from A330 ALS Part 2, an A330
operator found a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) indication
in the head of the shank filet radius in one of the Pratt & Whitney
(PW) forward (FWD) engine mount pylon bolts.
Investigation has confirmed that this FPI indication was due to
a quality manufacturing process issue which led to a bolt non-
conformance and is also applicable to aft ward (AFT) mount pylon
bolts.
Dual-bolt fractures could lead to inability for mount assembly
to sustain loads which may lead to an engine mount failure and
consequently to engine separation from the aeroplane during flight,
which would constitute an unsafe condition.
This AD requires a one time detailed visual inspection of the
FWD and AFT mount pylon bolts on all A330 aeroplanes fitted with PW
engines (8 bolts per engine) and replacement of any affected bolt.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020,
including Appendix 1, dated June 10, 2009. 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 Proposed 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, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This 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 proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 41 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 7 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $16,672 per product. Where
the service information lists required parts costs that are covered
under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these
costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties,
some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $707,947, or $17,267 per product.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed 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 proposed
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 proposed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
[[Page 16698]]
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2010-0278; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-
255-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by May 17, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-223, -321, -322, and -
323 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial
numbers.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71:
Powerplant.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
During accomplishment of Damage Tolerant--Airworthiness
Limitation Item task 712106-01-01 from A330 ALS Part 2, an A330
operator found a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) indication
in the head of the shank filet radius in one of the Pratt & Whitney
(PW) forward (FWD) engine mount pylon bolts.
Investigation has confirmed that this FPI indication was due to
a quality manufacturing process issue which led to a bolt non-
conformance and is also applicable to aft ward (AFT) mount pylon
bolts.
Dual-bolt fractures could lead to inability for mount assembly
to sustain loads which may lead to an engine mount failure and
consequently to engine separation from the aeroplane during flight,
which would constitute an unsafe condition.
This AD requires a one time detailed visual inspection of the
FWD and AFT mount pylon bolts on all A330 aeroplanes fitted with PW
engines (8 bolts per engine) and replacement of any affected bolt.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Actions
(g) Do a detailed inspection to determine the part number,
serial number, and lot number of the forward and aft mount pylon
bolts on both engines, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020,
dated June 10, 2009. Inspect at the later of the times specified in
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Before the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles or
24,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.
(2) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
(h) If the identified part number, serial number, or lot number
corresponds to a suspect bolt number identified in Pratt & Whitney
Service Bulletin PW4G-100-71-35, dated March 14, 2008, before
further flight remove the affected bolt and replace with a
serviceable bolt, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10,
2009.
(i) If the bolt part number, serial number, or lot number is
unreadable, before further flight remove the affected bolt and
replace with a serviceable bolt, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin
A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009.
(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
any forward or aft mount pylon bolt on any airplane, unless this
bolt has been identified as a non-suspect bolt, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin
A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009.
(k) Although Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020,
dated June 10, 2009, specifies to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service
information as follows: Although the MCAI or service information
tells you to submit information to the manufacturer, paragraph (k)
of this AD specifies that such submittal is not required.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(l) 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. Send information to ATTN:
Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(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.
Related Information
(m) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0240, dated November 5, 2009; and
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009;
for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-7460 Filed 4-1-10; 8:45 am]
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