[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 112 (Monday, June 12, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33658-33661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9062]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 112 / Monday, June 12, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 33658]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA 2006-24983; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-196-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 
A321 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time 
inspection to determine the serial number of both main landing gear 
(MLG) sliding tubes, repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of 
the affected MLG sliding tubes, and corrective actions if necessary. 
This proposed AD would retain these inspections and add new repetitive 
inspections for cracking of the MLG sliding tubes. This proposed AD 
would also require eventual replacement of both MLG shock absorbers. 
Doing this replacement would terminate the repetitive inspection 
requirements of this proposed AD. This proposed AD results from a 
determination that additional inspections and mandatory replacement of 
the MLG shock absorbers are necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct cracking in an MLG sliding tube, which could result 
in failure of the sliding tube, loss of one axle, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 12, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``Docket No. 
FAA-2006-24983; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-196-AD'' at the 
beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the 
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the 
proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    On May 28, 2004, we issued AD 2004-11-13, amendment 39-13659 (69 FR 
31867, June 8, 2004), for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection to 
determine the serial number (S/N) of both main landing gear (MLG) 
sliding tubes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the MLG sliding 
tubes, and corrective actions if necessary. That AD resulted from a 
report that a linear crack was found in a MLG sliding tube at the 
intersection of the cylinder and the axle due to a non-metallic 
inclusion in the base metal, and another report that the number of MLG 
sliding tubes subject to the identified unsafe condition had expanded. 
We issued that AD to detect and correct cracking in an MLG sliding 
tube, which could result in failure of the sliding tube, loss of one 
axle, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    The preamble to AD 2004-11-13 specified that we considered the 
requirements ``interim action'' and that the manufacturer was 
developing a modification to address the unsafe condition. That AD 
explained that we may consider further rulemaking if a modification is 
developed, approved, and available. We have now determined that 
additional detailed inspections and magnetic particle inspections (MPI) 
and eventual sliding tube replacement are necessary to ensure safe 
operation and has issued revised service information. Therefore, we 
have determined that further rulemaking is indeed necessary;

[[Page 33659]]

this proposed AD follows from that determination.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, 
including Appendix 01; dated May 26, 2005, to replace All Operators 
Telex (AOT) 32A1273, Revision 01, dated May 6, 2004. (AD 2004-11-13 
refers to Revision 01 of the AOT as the appropriate source of service 
information for certain actions.) The service bulletin retains the one-
time general visual inspection to determine the S/N of both MLG sliding 
tubes and the repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the 
sliding tube of the MLG shock absorber described by the AOT. The 
service bulletin also describes procedures for new repetitive detailed 
inspections and new MPIs of the sliding tube, and eventual replacement 
of both MLG shock absorbers with new or serviceable MLG shock absorbers 
equipped with sliding tubes having S/Ns not listed in the service 
information. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.
    The service bulletin refers to Messier-Dowty Service Bulletins 201-
32-43, Revision 1 (for Airbus Model A321 airplanes), and 200-32-286, 
Revision 1 (for Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 airplanes); both 
dated May 1, 2005, as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishing the detailed inspections and MPIs.
    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) 
mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness 
directive F-2005-115, dated July 6, 2005, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France. French airworthiness 
directive F-2005-115 replaces French airworthiness directive UF-2004-
065, dated May 11, 2004, which was referenced in AD 2004-11-13.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    This proposed AD would supersede AD 2004-11-13 and would continue 
to require a one-time general visual inspection to determine the S/N of 
both MLG sliding tubes and the repetitive detailed inspections for 
cracking of the sliding tube of the MLG shock absorber. This proposed 
AD would also require accomplishing the actions specified in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, described previously.

Changes to Existing AD

    Due to the new requirements of this proposed AD, paragraphs (h), 
(i), and (j) of AD 2004-11-13 have been revised as applicable and 
incorporated as new paragraphs (l), (m), and (n) of this proposed AD.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    In this proposed AD, the ``detailed visual inspection'' specified 
in French airworthiness directive F-2005-115 is referred to as a 
``detailed inspection.'' We have included the definition for a detailed 
inspection in a note in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 720 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this proposed AD at an estimated cost of $80 per work hour. 
Operators should note that, although all U.S.-registered airplanes are 
subject to the requirements of the existing AD, there are only 297 
possible affected MLG sliding tubes in the worldwide fleet. We have no 
way of knowing how many affected MLG sliding tubes, if any, are 
installed in U.S.-registered airplanes. Therefore, the estimated costs 
to perform the new requirements of this proposed AD apply only to 
individual sliding tubes; no fleet cost can be determined for these 
actions.

                        Estimated Costs to Perform Requirements of Existing AD 2004-11-13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Work                                   Cost per
                 Action                     hours              Parts                airplane        Fleet cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General visual inspection to determine           1   None.....................             $80          $57,600
 serial number.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                         Estimated Costs to Perform New Requirements of This Proposed AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Work
             Action                 hours                 Parts                      Cost per sliding tube
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed inspection.............         1   None...........................  $80, per inspection cycle.
Detailed inspection and MPI.....         9   None...........................  $720, per inspection cycle.
Replacement of sliding tube.....         8   $38,278 to $45,310.............  $39,918 to $45,950
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order

[[Page 33660]]

13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-13659 (69 FR 31867, June 8, 2004) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2006-24983; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
196-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 12, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-11-13.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 
A321 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a determination that additional 
inspections and mandatory replacement of the MLG shock absorbers are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in 
an MLG sliding tube, which could result in failure of the sliding 
tube, loss of one axle, and consequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Service Information References

    (f) The term ``service information,'' as used in this AD, means 
Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A320-32A1273, Revision 01, dated 
May 6, 2004; or the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, including Appendix 01, dated May 
26, 2005. After the effective date of this AD, only Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, may be used.
    Note 1: Airbus AOT A320-32A1273, Revision 01, and Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32A1273, Revision 02, refer to Messier-Dowty Service 
Bulletins 201-32-43 and 200-32-286, both currently at Revision 1, 
dated May 1, 2005, as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishing the detailed inspections and magnetic particle 
inspections (MPI).

Restatement of Certain Requirements of AD 2004-11-13

Serial Number (S/N) Identification

    (g) For all airplanes: Within 30 days after June 23, 2004 (the 
effective date of AD 2004-11-13), do a one-time general visual 
inspection to determine the S/N of both MLG sliding tubes, in 
accordance with the service information. Instead of inspecting the 
MLG sliding tubes, reviewing the airplane maintenance records is 
acceptable if the S/N of the MLG sliding tubes can be positively 
determined from that review.
    (1) If the S/N of the MLG sliding tube is not listed in the 
service information: No further action is required by this paragraph 
for that sliding tube.
    (2) If the S/N of the MLG sliding tube is listed in the service 
information: Do the actions in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii) of 
this AD, as applicable.
    (i) For any MLG not inspected before June 23, 2004: Before 
further flight, do a detailed inspection of the MLG for cracking in 
accordance with the service information.
    (A) If no cracking is found in any MLG sliding tube: Repeat the 
detailed inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 days, 
until the MLG replacement specified by paragraph (g)(2)(i)(B), (h), 
or (i) of this AD has been accomplished.
    (B) If any cracking is found in any MLG sliding tube: Before 
further flight replace the part with a new or serviceable part in 
accordance with a method approved by either the FAA or the Direction 
Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) (or its delegated agent). 
Chapter 32 of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual (AMM) is one approved method. Installing an MLG sliding tube 
having an S/N that is not listed in the service information 
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD for that MLG sliding tube only.
    (ii) For any MLG that has been inspected before June 23, 2004: 
Within 10 days after that inspection, do the detailed inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Detailed Inspection and MPI

    (h) For any airplane equipped with any MLG having a sliding tube 
installed that is identified with a S/N listed in the service 
information: Within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of 
this AD, perform a detailed inspection and an MPI of the MLG sliding 
tube for cracking in accordance with the service information. Repeat 
these inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight 
cycles until paragraph (i) of this AD has been accomplished. If any 
cracking is discovered during any inspection required by this 
paragraph, before further flight, replace the cracked sliding tube 
with a new or serviceable sliding tube in accordance with the 
service information. Replacing the MLG sliding tube with a sliding 
tube having a S/N not listed in the service information terminates 
the repetitive inspection requirements of this paragraph and 
paragraph (g)(2)(i)(A) of this AD for that sliding tube only.

Terminating Action

    (i) Within 41 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace all MLG shock absorbers equipped with sliding tubes having 
S/Ns listed in the service information with new or serviceable MLG 
shock absorbers equipped with sliding tubes having S/Ns not listed 
in the service information, using a method approved by either the 
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the DGAC (or its delegated agent). Chapter 32, 
page block 401, of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 AMM is one 
approved method. Replacing the MLG shock absorbers in accordance 
with this paragraph terminates all repetitive inspections required 
by this AD.

Submission of Cracked Parts Not Required

    (j) The service information has instructions to send any cracked 
part to Messier-Dowty. This AD does not include such a requirement.

Reporting Requirement

    (k) Prepare a report of any crack found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD. Submit the report to 
Airbus Customer Services, Engineering and Technical Support, 
Attention: M.Y. Quimiou, SEE33, fax +33+ (0) 5.6193.32.73, at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD. 
The report must include the MLG sliding tube P/N and S/N, date of 
inspection, a description of any cracking found, the airplane serial 
number, and the number of flight cycles on the MLG at the time of 
inspection. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) has approved the information collection requirements contained 
in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) For any inspection done after June 23, 2004, but before the 
effective date of this AD: Within 30 days after the inspection or 30 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever comes first.

[[Page 33661]]

    (2) For any inspection done after the effective date of this AD: 
Within 30 days after the inspection.

Parts Installation

    (l) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, any sliding tube, or MLG shock absorber having a 
sliding tube installed, if the sliding tube has a S/N identified in 
the service information, unless the sliding tube has been inspected, 
and any applicable corrective actions have been done, in accordance 
with paragraph (g)(2)(i), (h), or (i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (n) French airworthiness directive F-2005-115, dated July 6, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 31, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-9062 Filed 6-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P