[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 68 (Friday, April 7, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18258-18259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8687]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 68 / Friday, April 7, 2000 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 18258]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-53-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 and A340 
series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive ultrasonic 
inspections to detect corrosion of the retraction links of the main 
landing gear (MLG), and replacement of the retraction link with a new 
retraction link, if necessary. 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 detect and correct corrosion of the retraction link of the 
MLG, which could result in reduced structural integrity and possible 
collapse of the MLG.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 8, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-53-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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, 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 2000-NM-53-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. 2000-NM-53-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, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during a gear-down selection on an 
Airbus Model A330 series airplane, a retraction link (left-hand) of the 
main landing gear (MLG) ruptured. The MLG configuration of Airbus Model 
A330 series airplanes is similar in design to that of Airbus Model A340 
series airplanes. Therefore, Airbus Model A340 series airplanes may be 
subject to the same unsafe condition revealed on the Airbus Model 330 
series airplane. Investigation revealed that the internal face of the 
bore of the retraction link was heavily corroded. Such corrosion, if 
not detected and corrected, could result in reduced structural 
integrity and possible collapse of the MLG.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Airbus Service Bulletins A330-32-3105, 
Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes), 
and A340-32-4148, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999 (for Model A340 
series airplanes). These service bulletins describe procedures for 
repetitive ultrasonic inspections to detect corrosion of the left- and 
right-hand retraction links of the MLG, and replacement of the 
retraction link with a new retraction link, if necessary. The DGAC 
classified the Airbus service bulletins as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directives 2000-013-107(B) R1, dated February 9, 2000 
(for Model A330 series airplanes), and 2000-015-132(B), dated January 
12, 2000 (for Model A340 series airplanes), in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    The Airbus service bulletins reference Messier-Dowty Service 
Bulletins A33/34-32-151, Revision 3, including Appendix A, and A33/34-
32-152, Revision 3, including Appendix A, each dated January 11, 2000, 
as additional sources of service information for accomplishing the 
repetitive ultrasonic inspections.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation

[[Page 18259]]

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 repetitive 
ultrasonic inspections to detect corrosion of the retraction links of 
the MLG, and replacement of the retraction link with a new retraction 
link, if necessary. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the Airbus service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes included in the applicablity 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 1 work hour 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 
$60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-53-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A330 and A340 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 detect and correct corrosion of the retraction links of the 
main landing gear (MLG), which could result in reduced structural 
integrity and possible collapse of the MLG, accomplish the 
following:

Repetitive Ultrasonic Inspections

    (a) Within 36 months time-in-service on any new retraction link, 
or within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, perform an ultrasonic inspection to detect corrosion 
of the retraction links left- and right-hand of the MLG, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-32-3105, Revision 01, 
dated December 14, 1999 (for Model A330 series airplanes), or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-32-4148, Revision 01, dated December 14, 1999 
(for Model A340 series airplanes), as applicable.
    (1) If no corrosion is detected, or if corrosion is detected 
that is within the limits specified in the applicable service 
bulletin, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 6 months.
    (2) If any corrosion is detected that is outside the limits 
specified in the applicable service bulletin, replace the affected 
retraction link with a new retraction link at the time specified and 
in accordance with the procedures specified in the applicable 
service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspection specified in 
paragraph (a) on any new retraction links, at the time specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD.


    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins reference Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletins A33/34-32-151, Revision 3, including Appendix A, 
and A33/34-32-152, Revision 3, including Appendix A, each dated 
January 11, 2000, as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishing the repetitive inspections.


    Note 3: Although the inspection schedule of this AD applies to 
both left- and right-hand retraction links of the MLG, replacement 
of a retraction link, prior to scheduled replacement, would result 
in subsequent staggered inspections for the remainder of the 
retraction links.

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 4: 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

    (c) 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.


    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2000-013-107(B) R1, dated February 9, 2000, 
and 2000-015-132(B), dated January 12, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8687 Filed 4-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P