[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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