[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54797-54799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-195-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322 
Series Airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A330-301, -321, 
and -322 series airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, 
and -313 series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive 
replacements of the yaw damper actuator installed on active position 
with a new or overhauled yaw damper actuator. This proposal is prompted 
by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a 
foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent hydraulic leakage from the yaw 
damper actuator installed on active position due to premature wear of 
the dynamic seals between the actuator piston and the piston bearing. 
Hydraulic leakage could lead to complete loss of the green hydraulic 
circuit, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-195-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 99-NM-195-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. 99-NM-195-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 all Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322 series 
airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received several reports of 
hydraulic fluid leakage from the yaw damper actuator installed on 
active position. Investigation has revealed that the hydraulic leakage 
was caused by premature wear of the dynamic seals between the actuator 
piston and the piston bearing. This condition, if not corrected, could 
lead to complete loss of the green hydraulic circuit, which could

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result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-27-3055, Revision 01, 
dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A330 series airplanes) and A340-27-4063, 
Revision 01, dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A340 series airplanes), 
which describe procedures for repetitive replacements of the yaw damper 
actuator installed on active position with a new or overhauled yaw 
damper actuator. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as 
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 1998-100-067(B) 
R2, dated May 19, 1999, and 98-104-083(B), dated February 25, 1998, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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 proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will 
positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this 
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may 
consider additional rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    Currently, there are no Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322 series 
airplanes, or Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series 
airplanes on the U.S. Register.
    However, should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the 
U.S. Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work 
hours to accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate 
of $60 per work hour. The manufacturer has committed previously to its 
customers that it will bear the cost of replacement parts. As a result, 
the cost of those parts are not attributable to this proposed AD. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of this proposed AD would be $120 per 
airplane, per replacement cycle.

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 99-NM-195-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A330-301, -321, and -322 series 
airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
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 prevent hydraulic leakage from the yaw damper actuator which 
could lead to complete loss of the green hydraulic circuit, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Repetitive Replacement

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 6,500 total flight hours, or 
within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, replace the yaw damper actuator installed on 
active position with a new or overhauled yaw damper actuator in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletins A330-27-3055, Revision 01, 
dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or A340-27-
4063, Revision 01, dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A340 series 
airplanes); as applicable. Thereafter, repeat the replacement at 
intervals not to exceed 6,500 flight hours.

    Note 2: Replacement of yaw dampers accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-27-3055, dated August 26, 1997 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4063, dated August 
26, 1997 (for Model A340 series airplanes); as applicable; is an 
acceptable method of compliance for the initial replacement required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of

[[Page 54799]]

compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the 
International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 1998-100-067(B) R2, dated May 19, 1999, and 
98-104-083(B), dated February 25, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26279 Filed 10-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P