[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-828]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-130-AD; Amendment 39-8777; AD 93-25-13]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A320 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 A320 series airplanes, that requires 
a cold expansion of certain attachment holes for the forward pintle 
fitting and certain holes at the actuating cylinder anchorage of the 
main landing gear (MLG). This amendment is prompted by reports that, 
during fatigue testing, cracking was found propagating from attachment 
holes for the forward pintle fitting of the MLG. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking, which may lead to 
rupture of the inner rear spar and subsequent reduced structural 
integrity of the wing.

DATES: Effective February 14, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 14, 1994.

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: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to certain Airbus A320 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on September 14, 1993 (58 FR 48009). That action 
proposed to require a cold expansion of all the attachment holes for 
the forward pintle fitting of the main landing gear (MLG), except for 
the holes that are for taper-lok bolts. The proposed AD would also 
require a cold expansion of the bolts that have not been previously 
cold expanded at the actuating cylinder anchorage of the MLG.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the three comments received.
    All of the commenters support the proposed rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 600 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$165,000, or $33,000 per airplane. This total cost figure assumes that 
no operator has yet accomplished the requirements of this AD.
    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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

93-25-13 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8777. Docket 93-NM-130-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes, manufacturer's 
serial numbers (MSN) 002 through 051 inclusive; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent fatigue cracking, which could lead to reduced 
structural integrity of the wing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings, or 
within 2,000 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service 
Bulletin A320-57-1060, dated December 8, 1992.
    (1) Perform a cold expansion of all the attachment holes for the 
forward pintle fitting of the MLG, except for the holes that are for 
taper-lok bolts.
    (2) Perform a cold expansion of the holes at the actuating 
cylinder anchorage of the MLG.
    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The cold expansion shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A320-57-1060, dated December 8, 1992. 
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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 14, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 1993.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-828 Filed 1-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P