[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 14, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31234-31236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14318]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-62-AD; Amendment 39-9273; AD 95-12-21]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-211 and -311 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes. 
This action requires the installation of doublers on certain stringers 
located in the center fuselage. This amendment is prompted by the 
results of the manufacturer's full-scale fatigue test which indicate 
that fatigue cracking can occur at these stringer locations. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural 
integrity of the fuselage due to the problems associated with fatigue 
cracks in the subject stringers.

DATES: Effective June 29, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 29, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-62-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    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 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.

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: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus 
Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes. The DGAC 

[[Page 31235]]
advises that the results of a full-scale fatigue test, conducted by 
Airbus Industrie, indicate that fatigue cracks were found on stringer 
39 at frame 53-2 (left and right sides). These stringers are located in 
the center fuselage area of the airplane. Such fatigue cracking, if not 
detected and corrected in a timely manner, could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the fuselage.
    Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletin A340-53-4009, dated 
August 2, 1994, which describes procedures for installing a doubler on 
stringer 39 at frame 53-2 (left and right sides). This doubler is 
intended to reinforce the frame, and prevent the initiation and 
propagation of damage due to fatigue cracking in this area. The DGAC 
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French 
Airworthiness Directive (CN) 94-209-010(B), dated September 14, 1994, 
in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.
    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage 
due to the problems associated with fatigue cracking at stringer 39. 
This AD requires the installation of a doubler on stringer 39 at frame 
53-2 (left and right sides). The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    There currently are no Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes on 
the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability 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 8 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no 
cost to operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this AD would be $480 per airplane.
    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.
Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-62-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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 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. 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:

95-12-21 Airbus: Amendment 39-9273. Docket 95-NM-62-AD.

    Applicability: Model A340-211 and -311 series airplanes; as 
listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4009, dated August 2, 
1994; 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different 

[[Page 31236]]
actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. 
Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the 
changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. 
In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or 
repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage due to 
the problems associated with fatigue cracks at stringer 39, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 1,700 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, or within 36 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, install a doubler on 
stringer 39 at frame 53-2, left and right sides, in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4009, dated August 2, 1994.
    (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 2: 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 
sections 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.
    (d) The installation shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-53-4009, dated August 2, 1994. 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 June 29, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 6, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-14318 Filed 6-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U