[Federal Register: September 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 172)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53051-53053]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07se05-2]
[[Page 53051]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22291; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-038-AD;
Amendment 39-14251; AD 2005-18-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-300
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD
requires a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the spotfacing for
the pylon-to-engine attachment bolts on the pyramid forward fitting of
the engine pylon, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a
report that, during a routine inspection, it was found that the
diameter of the spotfacings was too small for two of the pylon-to-
engine attachment bolts on the pyramid forward fitting. We are issuing
this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the pylon-to-engine
attachment bolts on the pyramid forward fitting, which could result in
separation of an engine from the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 22, 2005.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 22,
2005.
We must receive comments on this AD by November 7, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this 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 AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-
300 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during a routine
inspection, it was found that the diameter of the spotfacings was too
small for two of the pylon-to-engine attachment bolts on the pyramid
forward fitting. Investigation revealed that, because the diameter of
the spotfacings on the two front fasteners was incorrect, the bolt head
did not fit correctly on the flat part of the spotfacing, causing
possible damage of the spotfacing area and cracking/wear of the pylon-
to-engine attachment bolt. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in separation of an engine from the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A340-54-4009, including Appendix
01, Revision 01, dated February 15, 2005. The service bulletin
describes procedures for a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the
spotfacing for the pylon-to-engine attachment bolts on the pyramid
forward fitting of the engine pylon, and repair if necessary. The
discrepancies include incorrect dimensions of the spotfacing and
misalignment of the bolt. The repair involves measuring and machining
the spotfacing to the correct dimension and installing new bolts and
washers. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC
mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness
directive F-2005-011, dated January 19, 2005, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural
integrity of the pylon-to-engine attachment bolts on the pyramid
forward fitting, which could result in separation of an engine from the
airplane. This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the
service information described previously, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the AD and Service Bulletin
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-54-4009 recommends concurrently
accomplishing Airbus Service Bulletin A340-71-4001, or the equivalent
production modification. The equivalent production modification has
been done on the airplanes specified in the applicability of this AD.
Additionally, the French airworthiness directive does not mandate
accomplishment of the concurrent service bulletin. In light of these
factors, this AD would not require accomplishing the concurrent service
bulletin.
Costs of Compliance
None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future, the required inspection would take about 1 work hour per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the inspection would be $65 per
airplane.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register.
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is
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unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to the
address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-
2005-22291; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-038-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that
might suggest a need to modify it.
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 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.
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 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 the 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 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2005-18-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-14251. Docket No. FAA-2005-22291;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-038-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective September 22, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A340-211, -212, and -213,
and A340-311, -312, and -313 airplanes; certificated in any
category; as identified in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-54-4009,
Revision 01, dated February 15, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that, during a routine
inspection, it was found that the diameter of the spotfacings was
too small for two of the pylon-to-engine attachment bolts on the
pyramid forward fitting. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
reduced structural integrity of the pylon-to-engine attachment bolts
on the pyramid forward fitting, which could result in separation of
an engine from 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.
One-Time Inspection/Repair
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD:
Perform a one-time detailed inspection for discrepancies of the
spotfacing for the pylon-to-engine attachment bolts on the pyramid
forward fitting of each engine pylon, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-54-4009,
Revision 01, dated February 15, 2005. Repair any discrepancy before
further flight in accordance with the service bulletin. Inspections
and repairs accomplished before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-54-4009, dated August
25, 2004, are acceptable for compliance with this paragraph.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
No Reporting Requirement
(g) Although the referenced service bulletin describes
procedures for submitting a report of inspection results to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
[[Page 53053]]
Related Information
(i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-011, dated January 19,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Airbus Service Bulletin A340-54-4009, Revision
01, dated February 15, 2005, excluding Appendix 01, to perform the
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point
Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France, for a copy of this
service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW.,
Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.
archives. gov/federal- register/ cfr/ibr- locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 29, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17606 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
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