[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9096-9098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5079]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-34-AD; Amendment 39-9531; AD 96-05-05]


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 replacement of the inlet filter in the spoiler servo-
controls and installation of a lockwire. This amendment is prompted by 
reports of leakage of hydraulic fluid at the inlet filter plug of the 
spoiler actuator as a result of inadequate torque of the filter plug, 
and reports of broken lockwires. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent loss of hydraulic fluid to the extent that a 
complete failure of the associated hydraulic system could occur. Such a 
loss, when combined with other hydraulic system failures, could reduce 
the controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 22, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 22, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 6, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-34-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 there have 
been several reports of external leakage of hydraulic fluid on these 
airplanes due to loose filter plugs of the spoiler actuators. Almost 
all of the inspected plugs were found to have a torque value below the 
necessary 69.1 Nm, and had to be re-tightened. Additionally, there have 
been at least four reports of broken lockwires found on these 
components. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of 
hydraulic fluid to the extent that a complete failure of the associated 
hydraulic system could occur. Such a failure, when combined with other 
hydraulic system failures, could reduce the controllability of the 
airplane.

[[Page 9097]]

    Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletin A330-27-3034 (for 
Model A330 series airplanes) and Service Bulletin A340-27-4041 (for 
Model A340 series airplanes), both dated June 21, 1995. These service 
bulletins describe procedures for replacement of the inlet filter in 
each of the 12 spoiler servo-controls located at surface position 1 to 
6 (left-hand and right-hand). The service bulletins also describe 
procedures for securing these filters with lockwires. (These service 
bulletins also refer to Feinmechanische Werke Mainz Service Bulletin 
MZ4306000-27-001 for detailed installation instructions.) The actions 
specified in these service bulletins will prevent leakage and loosening 
of the spoiler servo-control filter and plug. The DGAC classified the 
Airbus service bulletins as mandatory and issued French Airworthiness 
Directive (CN) 95-149-015(B) (applicable to Model A330 series 
airplanes) and CN 95-147-026(B) (applicable to Model A340 series 
airplanes), both dated July 29, 1995, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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 the loss of 
hydraulic fluid to the extent that a complete failure of the associated 
hydraulic system could occur. This AD requires replacement of the inlet 
filter in each of the 12 spoiler servo-controls located at surface 
position 1 to 6 (left-hand and right-hand); and the installation of 
associated lockwires. 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 14 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no 
charge to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 
AD would be $840 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

[[Page 9098]]

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 96-NM-34-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), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

96-05-05 Airbus: Amendment 39-9531. Docket 96-NM-34-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 series 
airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -311, and -312 series 
airplanes; on which Airbus Modification No. 42724 or its production 
equivalent has not been installed; 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the loss of hydraulic fluid to the extent that a 
complete failure of the associated hydraulic system could occur, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the inlet filter in each of the 12 spoiler servo-controls 
located at surface position 1 through 6 (left-hand and right-hand), 
inclusive, and secure with lockwire, in accordance with either 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3034 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes) or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4041 (for Model A340 
series airplanes), both dated June 21, 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-27-3034 (for Model A330 series airplanes), dated June 
21, 1995; or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4041 (for Model A340 
series airplanes), dated June 21, 1995. 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 March 22, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5079 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U