[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 213 (Friday, November 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55784-55785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26870]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-195-AD; Amendment 39-9418; AD 95-22-10]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 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 A320 series airplanes. This action 
requires replacement of the rear pintle pin of both main landing gears 
(MLG) with an improved pintle pin assembly. This amendment is prompted 
by the results of fatigue testing, which demonstrated that fatigue 
cracking can occur in the heads of these pintle pins. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent the initiation and 
propagation of such fatigue cracking, which could lead to the failure 
of the pintle pins and consequent collapse of the MLG.

DATES: Effective November 20, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 20, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 2, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-195-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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1149.

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 A320 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during full-scale 
fatigue testing conducted by the manufacturer, fatigue cracks were 
found in the heads of the pintle pins of the main landing gears (MLG) 
of test airplanes at 118,700 simulated flights. Such fatigue cracking, 
if not corrected, could result in failure of the pintle pins and 
consequent collapse of the MLG.
    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-32-1024, dated January 29, 
1990, which describes procedures for replacing the pintle pin assembly 
with an improved assembly. The pintle pins of the improved assembly 
have thicker heads and walls, making them less susceptible to fatigue 
cracking. This assembly also includes installation of an anti-rotation 
plate. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive (CN) 940240-061(B), dated 
November 9, 1994, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France. This replacement has been accomplished 
during production on airplanes having manufacturer's serial numbers 
(MSN) 022 and subsequent.
    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 registered 
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent initiation and 
propagation of fatigue cracking in the pintle pins of the MLG. This AD 
requires replacement of the rear pintle pin of both MLG's with an 
improved pintle pin assembly. The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    None of the Model A320 series airplanes affected by this action are 
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 21 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $12,636 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
would be $13,896 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 

[[Page 55785]]
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-195-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. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-22-10  Airbus: Amendment 39-9418. Docket 95-NM-195-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 airplanes; as listed in Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32-1024, dated January 29, 1990; 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) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different 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 the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracking in 
the pintle pins of the main landing gear (MLG), which could lead to 
the failure of the pintle pins and consequent collapse of the MLG, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total landings, or at 
the next overhaul of the main landing gear, whichever occurs first, 
replace the rear pintle pin of both MLG with an improved pintle pin 
assembly in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1024, 
dated January 29, 1990.
    (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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-32-1024, January 29, 1990. 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 November 20, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 24, 1995.
John J. Hickey,
 Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-26870 Filed 11-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U