[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41394-41396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15369]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-352-AD; Amendment 39-13707; AD 2004-13-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-
300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 
series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to 
check the play of the eye-end of the piston rod of the elevator servo-
controls, and follow-on corrective actions if necessary. This amendment 
requires the replacement of certain elevator servo-controls with new, 
improved servo-controls. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to detect and correct excessive play of the eye-end of the piston rod 
of the elevator servo-controls, which could result in failure of the 
elevator servo-control. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed 
in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register 
as of August 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain other publications, as 
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of July 20, 2000 (65 FR 37476, June 15, 2000).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 
Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2000-12-06, 
amendment 39-11784 (65 FR 37476, June 15, 2000), which is applicable to 
certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, was published in 
the Federal Register on March 25, 2004 (69 FR 15262). The action 
proposed to continue to require the replacement of certain elevator 
servo-controls with new, improved servo-controls.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received from a single commenter.

Request To Change Applicability

    The commenter, the airplane manufacturer, requests that the 
applicability of the proposed AD be changed to match the applicability 
as shown in the French airworthiness directives. The commenter notes 
that the applicability of the French airworthiness directives lists the 
affected airplanes by specific model dash numbers (i.e., A330 aircraft, 
model -202, -223, -243, -301, etc.) The basis of the commenter's 
request is to limit the applicability of the proposed AD to airplane 
models that either contain or will contain the terminating modification 
in the airplane's type design, and to avoid making the proposed AD 
applicable to airplane models that do not have the affected servo-
control part numbers specified in the proposed AD. We infer that the 
manufacturer wants to clarify that Airbus Model A340-541 and -642 
airplanes are not affected by the proposed AD.
    We partially agree with the commenter's request to change the 
applicability. We have changed the applicability of this final rule, 
but it does not match the applicability as shown in the French 
airworthiness directives. To avoid accidentally omitting airplane 
models that are listed on a U.S. type certificate data sheet (TCDS), we 
usually identify airplane series instead of individual model dash 
numbers in the applicability of our AD. The U.S. TCDS for the Model 
A340 includes the Model A340-200 series, comprising A340-211, -212, and 
-213 airplanes; the Model A340-300 series, comprising A340-311, -312, 
and -313 airplanes; and Model A340-541 and

[[Page 41395]]

A340-642 airplanes. In this case Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes are 
not included in the applicability of the parallel French airworthiness 
directive. For clarification purposes, we have changed the 
applicability of this final rule to ``Airbus Model A330 and Model A340-
200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with any ``SAMM'' elevator 
servo-control having any part number (P/N) SC4800-2, SC4800-3, SC4800-
4, SC4800-5, SC4800-6, SC4800-7, or SC4800-8; certificated in any 
category; except those with Airbus Modification 47674 installed in 
production.''

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 9 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 2000-12-06 and 
retained in this AD take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required repetitive 
inspections is estimated to be $1,170, or $130 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    The new actions that are required by this new AD will take between 
15 and 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will be provided at no cost. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the part replacement is 
estimated to be between $975 and $1,300 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 A340-200 or A340-300 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 would take 
between 15 and 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
part replacement, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of part replacement would be between 
$975 and $1,300 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 removing amendment 39-11784 (65 FR 
37476, June 15, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-13707, to read as follows:

2004-13-25 Airbus: Amendment 39-13707. Docket 2001-NM-352-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2000-12-06, Amendment 39-11784.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340-200 and -300 series airplanes 
equipped with any ``SAMM'' elevator servo-control having any part 
number (P/N) SC4800-2, SC4800-3, SC4800-4, SC4800-5, SC4800-6, 
SC4800-7, or SC4800-8; certificated in any category; except those 
with Airbus Modification 47674 installed in production.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct excessive play of the eye-end of the 
piston rod of the elevator servo-controls, which could result in 
failure of the elevator servo-control, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2000-12-06

    (a) Within 30 months since date of manufacture of the airplane, 
or within 500 flight hours after July 20, 2000 (the effective date 
of AD 2000-12-06), whichever occurs later, perform an inspection to 
check the play of the piston rod eye-ends of the elevator servo-
controls, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3062 
(for Model A330 series airplanes), Revision 01, dated July 21, 1999, 
or Revision 02, dated February 11, 2000, or Revision 03, dated 
August 9, 2000, or Revision 04, dated January 30, 2001; or Airbus 
Service Bulletin A340-27-4072 (for Model A340 series airplanes), 
Revision 01, dated July 21, 1999, or Revision 02, dated February 11, 
2000, or Revision 03, dated August 9, 2000, or Revision 04, dated 
January 30, 2001; as applicable. Thereafter, repeat the inspection 
at intervals not to exceed 15 months, until accomplishment of 
paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (1) If any play that is 0.0059 inch (0.15 mm) or greater and 
less than 0.0118 inch (0.30 mm) is detected: Prior to further 
flight, replace the rod eye-end with a new SARMA or NMB rod eye-end, 
in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
    (2) If any play that is 0.0118 inch (0.30 mm) or greater is 
detected: Prior to further flight, perform a dye penetrant 
inspection to detect cracking of the servo-control, in accordance 
with the applicable service bulletin.
    (i) If no crack is detected: Prior to further flight, replace 
the rod eye-end with a new SARMA or NMB rod eye-end, in accordance 
with the applicable service bulletin.
    (ii) If any crack is detected: Prior to further flight, replace 
the servo-control with a new servo-control, in accordance with the 
applicable service bulletin.

    Note 1: Accomplishment of an inspection in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3062 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes) or A340-27-4072 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both 
dated February 5, 1999; is considered acceptable for compliance with 
the initial inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.


    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletins reference SAMM Service 
Bulletin SC4800-27-34-06, dated January 2, 1999, as an additional 
source of service information for accomplishment of the dye 
penetrant inspection specified by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Replacement

    (b) Within 34 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace any elevator servo-control having any P/N SC4800-2, SC4800-

[[Page 41396]]

3, SC4800-4, SC4800-5, SC4800-6, SC4800-7, or SC4800-8, with an 
elevator servo-control having P/N SC4800-7A or SC4800-9; in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3076 (for Model A330 
series airplanes) or A340-27-4083 (for Model A340 series airplanes), 
both Revision 02, both dated July 11, 2002; as applicable. 
Accomplishment of this replacement terminates the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

    Note 3: The Airbus service bulletins reference TRW Service 
Bulletin SC4800-27-34-09, Revision 1, dated November 9, 2001, as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
part replacement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with the Airbus service bulletins listed in Table 
1 of this AD, as applicable.

                           Table 1.--Airbus Service Bulletins Incorporated by Reference
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              Service bulletin--                Revision--                        Date--
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A330-27-3062.................................           01  July 21, 1999.....................................
A330-27-3062.................................           02  February 11, 2000.................................
A330-27-3062.................................           03  August 9, 2000....................................
A330-27-3062.................................           04  January 30, 2001..................................
A330-27-3076.................................           02  July 11, 2002.....................................
A340-27-4072.................................           01  July 21, 1999.....................................
A340-27-4072.................................           02  February 11, 2000.................................
A340-27-4072.................................           03  August 9, 2000....................................
A340-27-4072.................................           04  January 30, 2001..................................
A340-27-4083.................................           02  July 11, 2002.....................................
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    (1) The incorporation by reference of the Airbus Service 
Bulletins in Table 2 of this AD is approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51:

                         Table 2.--New Airbus Service Bulletins Incorporated by Reference
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              Service bulletin--                 Revision--                         Date--
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A330-27-3062..................................           02  February 11, 2000.
A330-27-3062..................................           03  August 9, 2000.
A330-27-3062..................................           04  January 30, 2001.
A330-27-3076..................................           02  July 11, 2002.
A340-27-4072..................................           02  February 11, 2000.
A340-27-4072..................................           03  August 9, 2000.
A340-27-4072..................................           04  January 30, 2001.
A340-27-4083..................................           02  July 11, 2002.
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    (2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-27-3062, Revision 01, dated July 21, 1999; and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A340-27-4072, Revision 01, dated July 21, 1999; was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
July 20, 2000 (65 FR 37476, June 15, 2000).
    (3) Copies may be obtained from Airbus, 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 National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2001-518(B) and 2001-519(B), both dated 
October 31, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 13, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 24, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15369 Filed 7-8-04; 8:45 am]
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