[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 96 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29210-29212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11492]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1327; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-091-AD; 
Amendment 39-17048; AD 2012-09-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and -
300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found on the main fitting 
of the nose landing gear (NLG) leg in the vicinity of the dowel pin 
bushes retaining the lower steering flange. This AD requires modifying 
the NLG main fitting by adding primer paint to the cadmium around the 
dowel bush holes. We are issuing this AD to prevent NLG main fitting 
rupture, which could result in an NLG collapse.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 21, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 21, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-
1138; fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2011 
(76 FR 81884). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Corrosion has been found on the main fitting of the NLG leg in 
the vicinity of the dowel pin bushes retaining the lower steering 
flange on A330/A340 aeroplanes. The majority of parts have been 
reworked and returned to service.
    This corrosion, if not avoided, could lead to the NLG main 
fitting rupture, possibly resulting in a NLG collapse, which would 
constitute an unsafe condition.
    In order to maintain the structural integrity of the NLG, this 
[EASA] AD requires the accomplishment of a modification which 
consists in adding primer paint to the cadmium around the dowel bush 
holes on the main fitting, in order to provide further protection 
against cadmium degradation.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 81884, December 29, 
2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

[[Page 29211]]

Changes to the AD

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-32-3241 and 
A340-32-4282, both Revision 01, both including Appendix 01, both dated 
October 6, 2011, which correct certain aircraft maintenance manual 
references. We referred to Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-32-
3241 and A340-32-4282, both dated November 26, 2010, as the appropriate 
sources of service information for doing the actions specified in the 
NPRM (76 FR 81884, December 29, 2011). We have updated paragraphs (g) 
and (j) of this AD to refer to Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-
32-3241 and A340-32-4282, both Revision 01, both including Appendix 01, 
both dated October 6, 2011. We have also added new paragraph (h) to 
this AD to give credit for actions done before the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-32-
3241 and A340-32-4282, both dated November 26, 2010, and updated 
subsequent paragraph identifiers accordingly.
    We also added a reference to Model A330-200 freighter series 
airplanes in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these 
changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 81884, December 29, 2011) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 81884, December 29, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 55 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 66 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $10,000 per 
product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that 
are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 
U.S. operators to be $858,550, or $15,610 per product.

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 determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (76 FR 81884, December 29, 
2011), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2012-09-13 Airbus: Amendment 39-17048. Docket No. FAA-2011-1327, 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-091-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 21, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-223F, -243F, -201, -202, -
203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and 
-343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial 
numbers, except airplanes on which Airbus modification 200616 has 
been embodied in production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found on the main 
fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG) leg in the vicinity of the 
dowel pin bushes retaining the lower steering flange. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent NLG main fitting rupture, which could result in 
an NLG collapse.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    At the later of the times specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), 
or (g)(3) of this AD, as applicable: Modify the NLG main fitting by 
adding primer paint to the cadmium around the dowel bush holes, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A330-32-3241, Revision 01, including Appendix 01, 
dated October 6, 2011 (for Model A330-200 and -300 airplanes, and 
Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes); or Airbus

[[Page 29212]]

Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4282, Revision 01, including 
Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2011 (for Model A340-200 and -300 
airplanes).
    (1) Within 60 months since first flight of the NLG on any 
airplane.
    (2) Within 60 months since first flight of the NLG on any 
airplane after the most recent overhaul of the NLG.
    (3) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-32-3241, dated November 26, 2010 (for Model A330-200 and -300 
airplanes, and Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes); or A340-
32-4282, dated November 26, 2010 (for Model A340-200 and -300 
airplanes).

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1138; fax 425-227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(j) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0032, dated March 1, 2011, and the 
service information specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of 
this AD, for related information.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3241, Revision 01, 
including Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2011.
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4282, Revision 01, 
including Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2011.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3241, Revision 01, 
including Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2011.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4282, Revision 
01, including Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2011.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; 
fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 1, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-11492 Filed 5-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P