[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]
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