[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44821-44823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20879]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-125-AD; Amendment 39-11255; AD 99-17-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 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 certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, that requires 
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. This

[[Page 44822]]

amendment also provides for an optional terminating modification for 
the repetitive inspection and test requirements. This amendment is 
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. The actions specified by this 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: Effective September 22, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 22, 1999.

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 certain Airbus Model A310 series 
airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) in the Federal Register on October 14, 1998 (63 FR 55061). That 
action proposed to require 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 action also 
provided for an optional terminating modification for the repetitive 
inspection and test requirements.

Comments Received

    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.

Removal of Visual Inspection (Manual Backlash Check) Requirement

    In response to the original NPRM, two commenters request that 
paragraph (a) of the proposed AD be revised to remove the visual 
inspection, or ``manual backlash check'', to detect missing or damaged 
vespel bushes on the slat system universal joint assemblies of the 
left- and right-hand wings. One commenter states that the visual 
inspection is very unreliable and results are difficult to quantify. 
Further, the commenter states that the electrical continuity test that 
is also required by paragraph (a) of the proposed AD is sufficient in 
itself for ensuring the integrity of the universal joint and confirming 
the possibility of a missing vespel bushing.
    Another commenter, the manufacturer, states that the manual 
backlash check is impractical and difficult to evaluate, thus the 
proposed AD requires inspecting in a way that is not feasible. This 
commenter states that the referenced Airbus and Lucas service bulletins 
are undergoing revision to remove the procedures for the manual 
backlash check contained therein, and requests that the proposed AD 
refer to the later revisions, thus removing the requirement for the 
manual backlash check.
    The FAA does not concur with the request to remove the requirement 
for visual inspection. The FAA acknowledges that results of the visual 
inspection may be difficult to assess reliably, as described in Lucas 
Service Bulletin 525A-27-618, dated October 5, 1992 (which is 
referenced in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2061 as an additional 
source of service information). However, the visual inspection is 
intended to provide only an initial assessment for presence of vespel 
bushes and is to be followed by the electrical continuity test to 
finalize such a determination.
    Since issuance of the original NPRM, Airbus Service Bulletin A310-
27-2061, Revision 1, dated October 3, 1997, has been issued, and this 
revision was cited as an appropriate source of service information in 
the supplemental NPRM. This later revision still contains procedures 
for accomplishment of the visual inspection. Since no additional 
information has been provided by the manufacturer or vendor regarding 
the acceptability of eliminating the visual inspection, the FAA has 
determined that the visual inspection should be accomplished in 
addition to the electrical continuity test, as described in the Airbus 
service bulletin. No change is made to the final rule in this regard.

Correction of Typographical Error

    One commenter notes that the preamble to the supplemental NPRM 
contains an incorrect reference to an Airbus Model A320 series 
airplane, rather than Model A310 series airplanes to which this 
proposed AD is applicable. The FAA acknowledges the error, however, 
because this section of the preamble to the supplemental NPRM is not 
restated in the final rule, no change to the AD is necessary.

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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required 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 required by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $49,200, or $1,200 per airplane, per 
inspection and test cycle.
    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.
    Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating 
modification 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 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

[[Page 44823]]

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:

99-17-06  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11255. 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 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:

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (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.

Optional Terminating Modification

    (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.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-
2061, dated November 4, 1992, or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-
2061, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997. 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 92-275-139(B)R1, dated December 17, 1997.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on September 22, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20879 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U