[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58013-58015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24753]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-79-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 certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the rib 
1/wing center spar attachment. This action is necessary to prevent 
fatigue cracking at the rib 1/center spar angle and bottom corner 
fitting, which could result in reduced structural capability of the 
wing. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-79-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-79-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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, 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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic,

[[Page 58014]]

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-79-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-79-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 certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during fatigue testing on a test 
article, cracks were found at the rib 1/center spar angle and bottom 
corner fitting. Certain cracks (in the bottom corner fitting and the 
vertical angle) were attributed to local bending. Such cracking, if not 
corrected, could result in reduced structural capability of the wing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-57-3017 including Appendix 
01, Revision 02, dated October 11, 1999 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes); and A340-57-4022 including Appendixes 01 and 02, dated 
October 8, 1999 (for Model A340 series airplanes). These service 
bulletins describe procedures for modification of the rib 1/wing center 
spar attachment. The modification involves:
     Installing washers on the bottom corner fitting of the 
wing center spar to reduce local bending when a tension load is applied 
through the fasteners, and
     Installing a new vertical angle with a reduced thickness 
to reduce the stress generated in the angle.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directives 2000-073-111(B), dated February 23, 2000, and 
2000-074-136(B), both dated February 23, 2000, in order to ensure 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 
section 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.

Cost Impact

    The following information describes the anticipated cost impact on 
U.S. operators for the proposed modification.

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                                     Number of                     Average labor      Cost of
              Model                airplanes on   Number of work   rate per work     required      Per-airplane
                                   U.S. Register       hours           hour            parts           cost
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A330............................               5              42             $60          $9,950         $12,470
A340............................               0              42              60          10,099          12,619
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    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished the modification of this proposed 
AD, and that no operator would accomplish these actions in the future 
if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been advised that the 
5 airplanes currently on the U.S. Register have been modified in 
accordance with the proposed requirements. Therefore, until additional 
affected airplanes (unmodified) are added to the U.S. Register, this 
proposed AD would impose no cost on U.S. operators.
    The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions 
represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions 
actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include 
incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close 
up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative 
actions.

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:

[[Page 58015]]

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-79-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; excluding those on which Airbus 
Modification 43021 has been installed.

    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 (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 fatigue cracking at the rib 1/center spar angle and 
bottom corner fitting, which could result in reduced structural 
capability of the wing, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Modify the rib 1/wing center spar attachment, as specified 
by paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as applicable, of this AD.
    (1) For Model A330 series airplanes: Modify before the 
accumulation of 9,600 total flight cycles or 29,900 total flight 
hours, whichever occurs first. Do the modification in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3017 including Appendix 01, 
Revision 02, dated October 11, 1999.
    (2) For Model A340 series airplanes: Modify before the 
accumulation of 9,300 total flight cycles or 37,200 total flight 
hours, whichever occurs first. Do the modification in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4022 including Appendixes 01 
and 02, dated October 8, 1999.

    Note 2: Modification prior to the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3017, dated October 
14, 1998, or Revision 01, dated April 9, 1999, is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch.

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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2000-073-111(B) and 2000-074-136(B), both 
dated February 23, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 21, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24753 Filed 9-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U