[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6374-6376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2927]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-392-AD; Amendment 39-12634; AD 2002-02-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and 
-343 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) that 
is applicable to certain Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 
series airplanes. This action requires modifying the rear engine mount 
by replacing the existing fail-safe link with a new, improved fail-safe 
link. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the fail-safe link 
of the rear engine

[[Page 6375]]

mount, which, in combination with failure of the primary load path for 
the engine, could result in separation of the engine from the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 27, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 27, 2002.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 14, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-392-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. 2001-NM-392-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 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: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; 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 A330-
243, -341, -342, and -343 series airplanes, which are equipped with 
Rolls-Royce engines. The DGAC advises that fatigue tests have revealed 
that the fail-safe link of the rear engine mount may not have adequate 
fatigue strength. The fail-safe link is intended to withstand 
operational loads in the event of loss of the primary load path for the 
engine. Failure of the fail-safe link of the rear engine mount, when 
combined with loss of the primary load path for the engine, could 
result in separation of the engine from the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A330-71-3010, dated September 
25, 1999, which describes procedures for modifying the rear engine 
mount on the left- and right-hand sides of the airplane by replacing 
the existing fail-safe link with a new, improved fail-safe link. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 2001-544(B), dated November 14, 2001, in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    Airbus Service Bulletin A330-71-3010 refers to Rolls-Royce Service 
Bulletin RB211-71-C639, dated September 10, 1999, as an additional 
source of service information for modification of the rear engine 
mount. The modification includes replacing the two-piece bearing with a 
one-piece bearing and increasing the thickness of the fail-safe link.

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 21.19) 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 that may be 
registered in the United States at some time in the future, this AD is 
being issued to prevent failure of the fail-safe link of the rear 
engine mount, which, in combination with failure of the primary load 
path for the engine, could result in separation of the engine from the 
airplane. This AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the Airbus service bulletin 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 40 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would be provided by the engine manufacturer 
at no charge to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of this AD would be $2,400 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 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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a

[[Page 6376]]

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, 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 2001-NM-392-AD.'' The postcard will be date-stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2002-02-06  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12634. Docket 2001-NM-
392-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; except those on which 
Airbus Modification 46877 (Airbus Service Bulletin A330-71-3010, 
dated September 25, 1999) or Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin RB211-71-
C639, dated September 10, 1999, has been accomplished.

    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 failure of the fail-safe link of the rear engine 
mount, which, in combination with failure of the primary load path 
for the engine, could result in separation of the engine from the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Before accumulating 8,000 total flight cycles on the fail-
safe link of the rear engine mount, or within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is later: Modify the rear 
engine mount on the left- and right-hand sides of the airplane by 
replacing the existing fail-safe link, part number FK11282, with a 
new, improved fail-safe link, according to Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-71-3010, dated September 25, 1999.

    Note 2: Airbus Service Bulletin A330-71-3010 refers to Rolls-
Royce Service Bulletin RB211-71-C639, dated September 10, 1999, as 
an additional source of service information for modification of the 
rear engine mount. The modification includes replacing the two-piece 
bearing with a one-piece bearing and increasing the thickness of the 
fail-safe link.

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, 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-71-3010, dated September 25, 1999. 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, Washington; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-544(B), dated November 14, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 27, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 30, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2927 Filed 2-11-02; 8:45 am]
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