[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 198 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55061-55063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27458]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-125-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes, that would have required repetitive inspections and tests to 
detect missing or damaged vespel bushes on the slat system universal 
joint assemblies of the left-and right-hand wings; and replacement of 
the universal joints with new joints, if necessary. That proposal was 
prompted by a report of loose and migrated vespel bushes and partial 
cracking within unsupported bush areas found on the slat system 
universal joint assemblies. This new action revises the proposed rule 
by adding an optional terminating modification for the repetitive 
inspection and test requirements, and by expanding the applicability to 
include additional airplanes. The actions specified by this new 
proposed AD are intended to prevent rupture of the universal joints, 
which could result in inadvertent movement of the slats, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-125-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 93-NM-125-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 93-NM-125-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to 
certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, was published as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on November 12, 
1993 (58 FR 59965). That NPRM would have required repetitive 
inspections and tests to detect missing or damaged vespel bushes on the 
slat system universal joint assemblies of the left-and right-hand 
wings; and replacement of the universal joints with new joints, if 
necessary. That NPRM was prompted by a report of loose and migrated 
vespel bushes and partial cracking within unsupported bush areas found 
on the slat system universal joint assemblies. That condition, if not 
corrected, could result in rupture of the universal joints, inadvertent 
movement of the slats, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

New Service Information

    Since the issuance of the NPRM, the manufacturer has issued Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-27-2061, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997. This 
service bulletin is essentially identical to the original issue of the 
service bulletin, and contains only minor administrative changes.
    The manufacturer also has issued Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-
2060, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997, which describes procedures 
for modification of the slat system universal joint assemblies by 
replacement of the vespel SP 21 bushes and pins on the slat system 
universal joint and shaft assemblies of the left-and right-hand wings 
with new bushes and pins. Accomplishment of this modification 
eliminates the need for the repetitive

[[Page 55062]]

inspections and tests described in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-
2061, dated November 4, 1992, and Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
    The Direction Gonorale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, classified Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-27-2061, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997, as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B)R1, dated December 
17, 1997, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France.

Explanation of Correction Made to NPRM

    In the applicability of the original NPRM, the FAA inadvertently 
listed all Airbus Model A310-222 and -324 series airplanes, as listed 
in French airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B), dated December 23, 
1992 (which was referenced in the original NPRM). The FAA has revised 
the applicability of this supplemental NPRM to match the revised French 
airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B)R1, dated December 17, 1997, to 
read ``Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, except those on which Airbus 
Modification 10092 (Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2060, Revision 01, 
dated October 3, 1997) has been accomplished.''

FAA's Conclusions

    Since these changes expand the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.
    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 21.29) 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 Proposed 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, the supplemental NPRM has been revised to add an 
optional modification, which would constitute terminating action for 
the repetitive inspection and test requirements.

Cost Impact

    The FAA has recently reviewed the figures it has used over the past 
several years in calculating the economic impact of AD activity. In 
order to account for various inflationary costs in the airline 
industry, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to increase the 
labor rate used in these calculations from $55 per work hour to $60 per 
work hour. The cost impact information, below, has been revised to 
reflect this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.
    The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection and test, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the inspection and test proposed by this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $49,200 or $1,200 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The number of required work hours, as indicated above, is presented 
as if the accomplishment of the actions proposed in this AD were to be 
conducted as ``stand alone'' actions. However, in actual practice, 
these actions for the most part would be accomplished coincidentally or 
in combination with normally scheduled airplane inspections and other 
maintenance program tasks. Therefore, the actual number of necessary 
``additional'' work hours would be minimal in many instances. 
Additionally, any costs associated with special airplane scheduling 
would be expected to be minimal.
    Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating 
modification that would be provided by this AD action, it would take 
approximately 11 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer 
at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the optional terminating modification would be $660 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 93-NM-125-AD.

    Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes, except those on 
which Airbus Modification 10092 (Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-
2060, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997) has 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

[[Page 55063]]

owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of 
compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) 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 rupture of the universal joints, which could result 
in inadvertent movement of the slats, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total landings, or 
within 400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, perform a visual inspection and an 
electrical continuity test to detect missing or damaged vespel 
bushes on the slat system universal joint assemblies of the left- 
and right-hand wings, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A310-27-2061, dated November 4, 1992, or Revision 01, dated October 
3, 1997. Repeat this inspection and test thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 15,000 landings.
    (b) If any vespel bushes are missing or damaged, prior to 
further flight, replace the universal joint with a new joint in 
accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A310-27-2061, 
dated November 4, 1992, or Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997. After 
replacement, continue to repeat the inspection and test required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 15,000 landings.
    (c) Modification of the slat system universal joint and shaft 
assemblies in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2060, 
Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997, constitutes terminating action 
for the repetitive inspection and test requirements of this AD.
    (d) 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.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B)R1, dated December 17, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 6, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27458 Filed 10-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U