[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16886-16888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8900]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-92-AD; Amendment 39-10451; AD 98-08-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes, that requires 
repetitive replacement of the universal joints and steady bearings of 
the flap transmission system with new parts at regular intervals, or 
overhaul. This amendment is prompted by a report of a malfunction of a 
universal joint in the flap transmission system on one wing due to 
fatigue failure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
ensure replacement or overhaul of certain universal joints and bearings 
of the transmission system when they have reached their maximum life 
limit. Failure of universal joints and bearings could lead to an 
asymmetric condition of the flaps, which could adversely affect 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective May 12, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A300-600 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 18, 1995 (60 FR 
36748). That action proposed to require repetitive replacement of the 
universal joints and steady bearings of the flap transmission system 
with new parts at regular intervals.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request to Withdraw the Proposal

    Three commenters request that the proposed AD be withdrawn because 
overhauling is already mandatory under the Maintenance Review Board 
(MRB) requirements. One commenter states that the maintenance program 
already includes a certification maintenance requirement (CMR) 
inspection of these gearboxes and bearings. The commenter states that 
because CMR inspections are mandatory, the proposed rule is redundant.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenters' request to withdraw 
the proposal. The inspections required by this AD are to be 
accomplished in

[[Page 16887]]

accordance with the service bulletin, which provides additional 
detailed information beyond the inspections described in the MRB or in 
the CMR. Therefore, the FAA has determined that this AD is necessary to 
address the unsafe condition.
    One commenter requests that the proposed AD not be adopted because 
the AD is based on one incident. The commenter did not provide any 
additional justification for its request. The FAA does not concur. An 
assessment by the manufacturer and Direction Generale de l'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC) of the incident determined that a similar disconnection 
of the flap transmission system may occur on other airplanes of the 
same design. Based on this assessment, the actions required by this AD 
are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition.

Overhaul Versus Replacement

    Three commenters request that the proposed AD allow overhaul rather 
than replacement of the units. One commenter states that the 
requirements of the proposed AD are not in line with the DGAC and the 
manufacturer's positions that overhaul of the universal joints and 
bearings is acceptable. The FAA concurs. However, this overhaul is only 
acceptable for an additonal 16,000 landings on the affected parts. 
These overhauled parts provide only a limited service life, at which 
time the parts must be replaced. The FAA has determined that, in 
addition to replacement of the units, overhaul, in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6028, dated December 19, 1994, is also 
acceptable. Therefore, paragraph (a) of the final rule has been revised 
accordingly.

Requests to Revise Cost Impact Information

    Two commenters request revision of the cost estimate. Two 
commenters provided additional cost information for overhauling or 
replacing the bearings. Additionally, the commenters state that the 
steady bearings are installed in numerous locations in the airplane 
with two of those steady bearing positions being the subject of the AD.
    The FAA concurs with the commenters' request to revise the cost 
estimate based on the new cost for overhaul of the bearings. The 
commenters state that the cost of accomplishing the overhaul is 
approximately $4,000 to $4,500 per bearing, rather than $5,660 per 
airplane, as estimated in the proposed rule. After considering the data 
presented by the commenters, the FAA concurs that the cost for 
overhauling the parts may be higher than previously estimated in the 
proposal. In consideration of this new information, the FAA has revised 
the cost impact information, below, to indicate that required parts 
will cost approximately $9,000 per airplane, ($4,500 per bearing, two 
bearings per airplane). Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $483,000, or $9,660 per 
airplane.
    This AD only requires replacement or overhaul of two bearings. The 
FAA recognizes that, in accomplishing the requirements of any AD, 
operators may incur ``incidental'' costs in addition to ``direct'' 
costs. The economic analysis in AD rulemaking actions, however, is 
limited only to the cost of actions actually required by the AD.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 50 Model A300-600 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 
11 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $9,000 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $483,000, or 
$9,660 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

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:

98-08-02 Airbus Industrie:  Amendment 39-10451. Docket 95-NM-92-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300-600 series airplanes, 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 ensure replacement or overhaul of certain universal joints 
and bearings of the flap transmission that have reached their 
maximum life limit, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings on the 
universal joints and bearings of the flap transmission system, or 
within

[[Page 16888]]

500 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, accomplish paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD. Thereafter, 
prior to the accumulation of 16,000 total landings on the universal 
joints and bearings, repeat the actions required by either paragraph 
(a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Replace affected bearings and universal joints of the flap 
transmission system with new parts, in accordance with Airbus All 
Operator Telex (AOT) 27-17, Revision 01, dated July 11, 1994, or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6028, dated December 19,1994; or
    (2) Overhaul the affected bearings and universal joints of the 
flap transmission system in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-27-6028, dated December 19, 994. Prior to the accumulation of 
16,000 landings after accomplishing the overhaul, replace affected 
bearing and universal joints with new parts in accordance with the 
AOT or 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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operator Telex (AOT) 27-17, Revision 01, dated July 11, 1994, or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6028, dated December 19, 1994. 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 94-206-167(B) R1, dated March 15, 1995.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 12, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8900 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P