[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