[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2409-2410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-572]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-250-AD; Amendment 39-9487; AD 96-02-02]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 A330 and A340 series airplanes. This
action requires installation of locking plates at the guide bushings in
the area of the spigot bolt for certain aft flap track attachments.
This amendment is prompted by reports of these guide bushings migrating
out of position and resulting in a partial transfer of loads from the
main attachment spigot bolt to two fail-safe bolts. Since the fail-safe
bolts can withstand such loads for only a limited time, they can
eventually fail and allow the wing flap to separate from the airplane.
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent separation of
the wing flap, which can lead to reduced controllability of the
airplane and injury to persons or damage to property on the ground.
DATES: Effective February 12, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 12, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before March 26, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-250-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: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2589; 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 A330 and A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that operators
have reported finding guide bushings in the area of the spigot bolt for
the aft wing flap attachment at tracks 2 through 5 that have migrated
out of position. Such bushing migration was found on one flight test
airplane and on two in-service airplanes. When migration of the guide
bushing takes place, it can result in a partial transfer of loads from
the main attachment spigot bolt to two fail-safe bolts. Although the
flaps are still operable in this condition, the fail-safe bolts are
able to withstand the loads only for a limited period of time. If the
bolts were to fail, the flap then could separate from the airplane.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane, and possible injury to persons or
damage to property on the ground.
Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-57-3028 (for Model A330
series airplanes), and A340-57-4032 (for Model A340 series airplanes),
both dated June 6, 1995. These service bulletins describe procedures
for installing locking plates at the bushings in the area of the spigot
bolt for the flap track attachment at flap tracks 2 through 5, left-
hand and right-hand. Installation of these locking plates will preclude
the possibility of migration of the bushings, and ensure the correct
function of the aft track attachment. The DGAC classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive (CN)
95-124-012(B) (applicable to Model A330 series airplanes), and CN 95-
125-023(B) (applicable to Model A340 series airplanes), both dated June
21, 1995, 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 registered
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent migration of
the guide bushings at the aft wing flap attachments. This AD requires
the installation of locking plates at the flap track attachments on
flap tracks 2 through 5, left-hand and right-hand. The actions are
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins
described previously.
None of the Model A330 or A340 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 40 work hours to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per
work hour. Required parts would be furnished by the manufacturer at no
cost
[[Page 2410]]
to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would
be $2,400 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-250-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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-02-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-9487. Docket 95-NM-250-AD.
Applicability: Model A330-301, 0321, -322, -341, and -342 series
airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -311, and -312 series
airplanes; on which Airbus Modification 43328 or 43479 has not been
accomplished; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 migration of the guide bushings in the area of the
spigot bolt for the aft flap track attachments, accomplish the
following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 3,500 total flight cycles,
install locking plates at the guide bushings at flap track
attachments 2 through 5, left-hand and right-hand, in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3028 (for Model A330 series
airplanes) or A340-57-4032 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both
dated June 6, 1995, as applicable.
(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 A330-57-3028 (for Model A330 series airplanes),
dated June 6, 1995; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4032 (for
Model A340 series airplanes), dated June 6, 1995; as applicable.
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 12, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 11, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-572 Filed 1-25-96; 8:45 am]
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