[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9932-9934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4246]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-340-AD; Amendment 39-10355; AD 98-04-44]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 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 A340 series airplanes. This action 
requires replacement of the groove pins on the doors of the center main 
landing gear (MLG) with new pins, modification of the bolt head, 
installation of an antirotation plate, and modification of the hinge 
pins on the doors of the MLG by the installation of oversize bolts. 
This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent detachment of 
the center MLG door during flight, which could pose a hazard to persons 
or property on the ground.

DATES: Effective March 16, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 16, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-340-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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the 
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A340 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during fatigue testing 
performed by the manufacturer, it was discovered that the hinge pins on 
the door of the center main landing gear (MLG) had broken. Further 
investigation has revealed that the cause of the pin failure may have 
been incorrect orientation of the pin. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in detachment of the center MLG door during 
flight, which could pose a hazard to persons or property on the ground.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A340-53-4070, Revision 1, dated 
July 18, 1997, which describes procedures for replacement of the groove 
pins on the doors of the center MLG with new pins, modification of the 
bolt head, and installation of an antirotation plate.
    In addition, Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A340-53-4031, 
Revision 1, dated June 10, 1997, which describes procedures for 
modifying the hinge pins on the doors of the center MLG by installing 
oversize bolts. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive 97-114-060(B), dated May 7, 1997, 
in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    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.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    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 detachment of 
the center MLG door during flight, which could pose a hazard to persons 
or property on the ground. This AD requires accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule 
currently are operated by

[[Page 9933]]

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 16 work hours to 
accomplish the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-
4070, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of this action would be $960 per airplane.
    It would require approximately 10 work hours to accomplish the 
actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4031, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $1,677 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this action would be $2,277 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    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, prior 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 97-NM-340-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    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:

98-04-44  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10355. Docket 97-NM-340-AD.

    Applicability: Model A340 series airplanes; as listed in Airbus 
Service Bulletins A340-53-4070, Revision 1, dated July 18, 1997, and 
A340-53-4031, Revision 1, dated June 10, 1997; 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 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 detachment of the center main landing gear (MLG) door 
during flight, which could pose a hazard to persons or property on 
the ground, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 8,400 total flight cycles, or 
within the next 100 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, accomplish either (a)(1) or (a)(2) 
below, as applicable:
    (1) For airplanes listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-
4070, Revision 1, dated July 18, 1997: Replace the groove pins on 
the doors of the center MLG with new pins, modify the bolt head, and 
install an antirotation plate; in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (2) For airplanes listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-
4031, Revision 1, dated June 10, 1997: Modify the hinge pins on the 
doors of the center MLG by installing oversize bolts; in accordance 
with the service bulletin.
    (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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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.

[[Page 9934]]

    (d) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4070, Revision 1, dated July 
18, 1997, or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4031, Revision 1, dated 
June 10, 1997, 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-114-060(B), dated May 7, 1997.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 16, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 1998.
Gilbert L. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4246 Filed 2-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P