[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]
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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.
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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]
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