[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49979-49981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23470]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-159-AD; Amendment 39-11312; AD 99-19-25]
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 a one-time inspection of all gland nuts supplied with certain 
shock struts of the center landing gear (CLG) to verify that the gland 
nuts have the correct thread profile, and replacement of any defective 
gland nut with a new gland nut. 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 the failure of the CLG, and subsequent damage to the 
airplane structure or injury to airplane occupants.

DATES: Effective September 30, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 30, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-159-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 take-off, the center 
landing gear (CLG) shock strut of an in-service airplane disengaged 
from the CLG main fitting because of a defective gland nut. Inspection 
of the defective gland nut revealed that the thread profile of the 
gland nut was incorrect. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in the failure of the CLG, and subsequent damage to the airplane 
structure or injury to airplane occupants.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision 01, dated 
May 28, 1998, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of 
all gland nuts supplied with certain shock struts of the CLG to verify 
that the gland nuts have the correct thread profile. For any defective 
gland nut, the service bulletin describes procedures for replacement of 
the gland nut with a new part.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A340-32-4111 is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive 98-153-088(B), dated April 8, 
1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in France.
    Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111 refers to Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletin No. M-DT SB18000-32-8, dated October 30, 1997, which 
provides the criteria for acceptability of the gland nut and is an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
inspection and replacement.

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 the failure of 
the CLG, and subsequent damage to the airplane structure or injury to 
airplane occupants. This AD requires accomplishment of the actions 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, 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 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 4 work hours to 
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$240 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

[[Page 49980]]

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 99-NM-159-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:

99-19-25  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11312. Docket 99-NM-159-AD.

    Applicability: Model A340 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, on which Airbus Modification 43028 (reference Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-32-4083, dated September 19, 1996) has been 
incorporated.

    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 (c) 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 the failure of the center landing gear (CLG), and 
subsequent damage to the airplane structure or injury to airplane 
occupants, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within one month after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a detailed visual inspection of all gland nuts supplied with 
the 18000 series shock struts, part numbers 18100-1001 through 
18100-1061 and part numbers 18105-1001 through 18105-1061, on the 
CLG to verify that the gland nuts have the correct thread profile, 
in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision 
01, dated May 28, 1998. For any gland nut thread profile that is not 
acceptable, as specified by the service bulletin: Prior to further 
flight, replace that gland nut with a new part, in accordance with 
the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    Note 3: Accomplishment of the inspection in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, dated November 27, 1997, is 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of 
this AD.

    Note 4: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111 refers to Messier-
Dowty Service Bulletin No. M-DT SB18000-32-8, dated October 30, 
1997, as an additional source of service information for the 
inspection, the replacement of any defective gland nut, and the 
criteria for acceptability of the gland nut thread profile.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an 18000 series shock strut, part numbers 18100-1001 through 18100-
1061 and part numbers 18105-1001 through 18105-1061, on the CLG of 
any airplane, unless that shock strut has been inspected and 
applicable corrective actions have been performed in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, dated November 27, 1997, or 
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision 01, dated May 28, 
1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 5: 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

    (d) 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

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision 01, dated May 28, 1998. 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,

[[Page 49981]]

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 6: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-153-088(B), dated April 8, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 30, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 2, 1999.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23470 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P