[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 181 (Thursday, September 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54694-54696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23831]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 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 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the elevator 
servo-controls with new servo-controls when the existing parts have 
reached their operational life limit. This action is necessary to 
prevent hydraulic leakage and internal damage of the elevator servo-
controls due to cracks in the end caps and along the barrel. These 
conditions could result in a reduction in the elevator's protection 
against vibration or loss of the hydraulic circuit, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 20, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-09-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. 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. 2002-NM-09-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 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    Information pertaining to this 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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1503; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-09-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. 2002-NM-09-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 series airplanes. The DGAC 
advises that the operational life limits for the servo-controls located 
on the elevator, which are listed in Revision 8, chapter 05-11-00, 
configuration 1, of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), dated 
September 15, 1999, are not addressed by section 9.1 of the 
Airworthiness Limitations section, which replaces chapter 05-11-00 of 
the AMM. Thus, it is possible that elevator servo-controls that have 
reached their operational life limit may remain installed on an 
airplane. Elevator servo-controls that have exceeded their operational 
life limits may develop cracks in the end caps and along the barrel, 
which could lead to hydraulic leakage and internal damage within the 
servo-control. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a 
reduction in the elevator's protection against vibration or loss of the 
hydraulic circuit, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Action Taken by the DGAC

    The DGAC issued French airworthiness directive 2001-545(B), dated 
November 14, 2001, to establish operational life limits for the 
elevator servo-controls. The French airworthiness directive requires 
replacement of the elevator servo-controls with new servo-controls when 
the operational life limit for the servo-controls has been reached.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

[[Page 54695]]

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 AD

    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 replacement of the 
elevator servo-controls with new servo-controls when the servo-controls 
have reached their operational life limit.

Difference Between French Airworthiness Directive and Proposed AD

    The compliance times in French airworthiness directive 2001-545(B) 
are based on the mode in which the elevator servo-controls are 
operated--active or damping mode. The FAA finds that, as all elevator 
servo-controls have the same part number and are interchangeable, it is 
not possible to readily trace the mode of operation of an elevator 
servo-control. Therefore, the compliance times in this proposed AD are 
based on the servo-control part number and the number of flight hours 
or flight cycles, as applicable, since the servo-control was new or 
overhauled, regardless of the mode of operation of the elevator servo-
control. We have informed the DGAC of the compliance times we intend to 
use in this proposed AD.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 9 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by 
this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 7 work hours per 
airplane, per replacement cycle, to accomplish the proposed actions, 
and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts 
would be provided at no charge to operators. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$4,095, or $455 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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.

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: Docket 2002-NM-09-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A330 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent hydraulic leakage and internal damage of the elevator 
servo-controls due to cracks in the end caps and along the barrel, 
which could result in a reduction in the elevator's protection 
against vibration or loss of the hydraulic circuit, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Replacement

    (a) Replace each elevator servo-control having a part number 
listed in the ``Part Numbers'' column of Table 1 of this AD with a 
new servo-control having the same part number. Do the initial 
replacement prior to the accumulation of the number of total flight 
hours or flight cycles on the servo-control, as applicable, 
specified in the ``Life Limit'' column of Table 1 of this AD, or 
within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever is 
later. Thereafter, repeat the replacement at intervals not to exceed 
the number of total flight hours or flight cycles, as applicable, 
specified in the ``Life Limit'' column of Table 1 of this AD.

           Table 1.--Part Numbers and Replacement Life Limits
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         Airplane model              Part numbers         Life limit
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A330-301, -321, and -322          SC4800-2, SC4800-   4,000 total flight
 airplanes, on which Airbus        3, SC4800-4; any    hours since the
 Modification 43148 (Service       Amendment level.    servo-control was
 Bulletin A330-27-3026) has not                        new.
 been accomplished.
A330 series airplanes other than  SC4800-2; SC4800-   3,500 total flight
 those identified above in this    2, Amendment A.     cycles since the
 table.                                                servo-control was
                                                       new or overhauled
                                                       to like-new
                                                       condition.
A330 series airplanes other than  SC4800-2,           7,700 total flight
 those identified above in this    Amendment B or C;   cycles since the
 table.                            SC4800-3; SC4800-   servo-control was
                                   6.                  new or overhauled
                                                       to like-new
                                                       condition.

[[Page 54696]]

 
A330 series airplanes other than  SC4800-2,           32,000 total
 those identified above in this    Amendment D, E,     flight cycles
 table.                            F, or G; SC4800-    since the servo-
                                   4, Amendment H;     control was new
                                   SC4800-7; SC4800-   or overhauled to
                                   7A; SC4800-8;       like-new
                                   SC4800-9.           condition.
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    Note 1: The compliance times in Table 1 of this AD are based on 
the servo-control part number and the number of flight hours or 
flight cycles, as applicable, since the servo-control was new or 
overhauled, regardless of the mode of operation--active or damping--
of the elevator servo-control.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-545(B), dated November 14, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 12, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23831 Filed 9-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P