[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 134 (Monday, July 14, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41521-41523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17694]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-02-AD; Amendment 39-13230; AD 2003-14-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate life limits for 
the servo-controls located on the ailerons and replacement of the 
servo-controls with new servo-controls when they have reached their 
operational life limits. This action is necessary to prevent hydraulic 
leakage and failure of the servo-controls due to cracks in the end caps 
and along the barrel, which could result in loss of the ailerons and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
or obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2003 
(68 FR 16225). That action proposed to require revising the 
Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness to incorporate life limits for the servo-controls located 
on the ailerons and replacement of the servo-controls with new servo-
controls when they have reached their operational life limits.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

[[Page 41522]]

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the proposed AD regarding that material.

Change in Labor Rate

    After the proposed AD was issued, we reviewed the figures we use to 
calculate the labor rate to do the required actions. To account for 
various inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it 
appropriate to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from 
$60 per work hour to $65 per work hour. The economic impact 
information, below, has been revised to reflect this increase in the 
specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 9 Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will be 
provided to the operators at no cost. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators of Model A330 series airplanes is 
estimated to be $2,925, or $325 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. 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.
    Currently, there are no Airbus Model A340 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 will require 
approximately 5 work hours to accomplish the required actions, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will be 
provided to the operators at no cost. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of this AD for Model A340 operators will be $325 per airplane.

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, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-14-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-13230. Docket 2002-NM-02-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR part 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired 
in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be 
able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In 
this situation, to comply with 14 CFR part 91.403(c), the operator 
must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in 
accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include 
a description of changes to the required inspections that will 
ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The 
FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory 
Circular (AC) 25-1529.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent hydraulic leakage and failure of the servo-controls 
located on the ailerons due to cracks in the end caps and along the 
barrel, which could result in loss of the ailerons and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Airworthiness Limitations Revision and Replacement of Servo-Control 
Units

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness by inserting a copy of this AD into the ALS.
    (b) Replace the servo-control units operating in the active mode 
at the times specified in Table 1 of this AD as follows, counted 
from the date of initial installation on the airplane, as 
applicable:

           Table 1.--Part Numbers and Replacement Life Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Replace Servo-
                               Controls having the
                                 following part
         For model--            numbers with new      Replace before--
                                parts having the
                               same part numbers:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A330 series airplanes...  (i) 3337457-21, -22,  6,000 flight hours.
                               and -23 (inboard).
                              (ii) 3337457-25, -    18,000 flight hours.
                               26, and -27
                               (inboard).
                              (iii) 3337457-30, -   21,000 flight cycles
                               31, -34, -35, -36, -  or 32,000 flight
                               37, and -38           hours, whichever
                               (inboard).            occurs first.

[[Page 41523]]

 
                              (iv) 3337457-59 and - 60,000 flight hours.
                               60 (inboard).         This is a temporary
                                                     and life limit; if
                                                     the operator wants
                                                     to use the parts
                                                     beyond 60,000
                                                     flight hours the
                                                     accumulated flight
                                                     hours of the parts
                                                     since their origin
                                                     must be tracked and
                                                     a request submitted
                                                     for an alternative
                                                     method of
                                                     compliance in
                                                     accordance with
                                                     paragraph (d) of
                                                     this AD.
                              (v) 3337458-30, 31, - 21,000 flight cycles
                               34, -35, 36, -37,     or 32,000 flight
                               and -38 (outboard).   hours, whichever
                                                     occurs first.
                              (vi) 3337458-59 and - 60,000 flight hours.
                               60 (outboard).        This is a temporary
                                                     life limit; if the
                                                     operator wants to
                                                     use the parts
                                                     beyond 60,000
                                                     flight hours the
                                                     accumulated flight
                                                     hours of the parts
                                                     since their origin
                                                     must be tracked and
                                                     a request submitted
                                                     for an alternative
                                                     method of
                                                     compliance in
                                                     accordance with
                                                     paragraph (d) of
                                                     this AD.
(2) A340 series airplanes...  (i) 3337457-21, -22,  9,000 flight hours.
                               and -23 (inboard).
                              (ii) 3337457-25, -    27,000 flight hours.
                               26, and -27
                               (inboard).
                              (iii) 3337457-30, -   16,400 flight cycles
                               31, -34, -35, 36, -   or 65,600 flight
                               37, and -38           hours, whichever
                               (inboard).            occurs first.
                              (iv) 3337457-59 and - 80,000 flight hours.
                               60 (inboard).         This is a temporary
                                                     and life limit; if
                                                     the operator wants
                                                     to use the parts
                                                     beyond 80,000
                                                     flight hours the
                                                     accumulated flight
                                                     hours of the parts
                                                     since their origin
                                                     must be tracked and
                                                     a request submitted
                                                     for an alternative
                                                     method of
                                                     compliance in
                                                     accordance with
                                                     paragraph (d) of
                                                     this AD.
                              (v) 3337458-30, 31, - 16,400 flight cycles
                               34, -35, 36, -37,     or 65,600 flight
                               and -38 (outboard).   hours, whichever
                                                     occurs first.
                              (vi) 3337458-59 and - 80,000 flight hours.
                               60 (outboard).        This is a temporary
                                                     life limit and if
                                                     the operator wants
                                                     to use the parts
                                                     beyond 80,000
                                                     flight hours must
                                                     track the
                                                     accumulated flight
                                                     hours of the parts
                                                     since their origin
                                                     and request
                                                     approval for an
                                                     alternative method
                                                     of compliance in
                                                     accordance with
                                                     paragraph (d) of
                                                     this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Except as provided by paragraph (d) of this AD: After the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD have been 
accomplished, no alternative life limits may be approved for the 
components specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 Operations Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: 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

    (e) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2001-529(B) and 2001-530(B), both dated 
November 14, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 18, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 7, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17694 Filed 7-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P