FR Doc E9-3276

[Federal Register: February 20, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7804-7808]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20fe09-13]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0657; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-296-AD;
Amendment 39-15787; AD 2009-01-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600
Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600
series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive detailed visual
inspections to detect cracks in the pylon thrust and sideload fitting
of the wing, and replacement of any cracked pylon thrust and sideload
fitting with a new fitting. This new AD reduces the threshold and
repetitive intervals for the detailed inspection for certain airplanes
and reduces the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct cracks in the pylon thrust and sideload fitting of the wing,
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 27, 2009.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 27,
2009.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.

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

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 98-16-11, amendment 39-
10687 (63 FR 40816, July 31, 1998). The existing AD applies to certain
Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes. That NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on June 17, 2008 (73 FR 34224). That
NPRM proposed to continue to require repetitive detailed visual
inspections to detect cracks in the pylon thrust and sideload fitting
of the wing, and replacement of any cracked pylon thrust and sideload
fitting with a new fitting. That NPRM also proposed to require reducing
the threshold and repetitive intervals for the detailed inspection for
certain airplanes and would reduce the applicability of the existing
AD.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comments received from the three commenters.

[[Page 7805]]

Request for Definition Paragraph

An anonymous commenter requests that we revise the NPRM to add a
``definitions'' paragraph since Table 2 and Table 3 of the NPRM refer
to both the long range and short range Model A310-300 series airplanes.
The commenter suggests defining the average flight times.
We do not agree. The Office of the Federal Register has approved
the incorporation by reference of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin
A310-57-2075, Revision 03, dated December 1, 2006. Therefore, we have
determined that it is not necessary to incorporate a definitions
paragraph since paragraph 1.E. of this service bulletin includes an
explanation of short-range and long-range airplanes, and their average
flight times. We have not changed the final rule regarding this issue.

Request To Mandate the Inspection Section of the Service Bulletins

Air Transport Association, on behalf of American Airlines (AA),
requests that, since the safety issue is detecting cracks in the
fitting, the AD should mandate only the ``inspection section'' of
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-0232, Revision 02, dated
February 21, 2000; Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57-6079,
Revision 04, dated February 21, 2000; and Airbus Mandatory Service
Bulletin A310-57-2075, Revision 03, dated December 1, 2006; instead of
the entire accomplishment instructions of these service bulletins. AA
believes that mandating the ``inspection section'' would still correct
the unsafe condition and allow operators to modify other steps as
required, while maintaining a safe work environment.
We disagree. We are mandating the entire Accomplishment
Instructions of these service bulletins because they include the
inspection, repair, and other necessary instructions to correct the
unsafe condition. Affected operators may request approval for an
alternative method of compliance, under the provisions of paragraph (k)
of the AD. We have not changed the final rule regarding this issue.

Request To Retain Inspection Requirements, Provide Terminating Action,
and Provide Approval Authority

FedEx Express requests that we include the following requirements
in the NPRM: Keep the current inspection method and interval if the
airplane has not reached the design service goal (the economic impact
will increase due to additional inspections); terminate the inspections
if the pylon sideload fitting is replaced with a fitting made using
improved manufacturing techniques; and provide an alternative means of
compliance repair approval authority to the European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) or its delegated agent.
We disagree with keeping the current inspection method and interval
for airplanes that have not reached the design service goal because we
have determined that the new intervals are necessary to address the
unsafe condition. We have not changed the final rule regarding this
issue.
We disagree with terminating the inspections if the pylon sideload
fitting is replaced with a fitting made using improved manufacturing
techniques. At this time we have not received sufficient information
from the manufacturer or EASA to determine if the manufacturing
techniques are adequate and the inspections can be terminated. We have
not changed the final rule regarding this issue.
We agree with FedEx Express that, as a method of compliance with
paragraph (g) of this AD, repair approval authority can be given to
EASA or its delegated agent. Affected operators may request an optional
approval method, under the provisions of paragraph (j) of the AD. We
have changed the final rule regarding this issue.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been received, and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described
previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

This AD affects about 164 Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series
airplanes of U.S. registry. The inspections that are required by AD 98-
16-11 and retained in this AD take about 3 work hours per airplane, at
an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the currently required actions is $39,360, or $240
per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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 this AD:
(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.
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
removing amendment 39-10687 (63 FR 40816, July 31, 1998) and by adding

[[Page 7806]]

the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2009-01-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-15787. Docket No. FAA-2008-0657;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-296-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective March 27, 2009.

Affected ADs

(b) This AD supersedes AD 98-16-11.

Applicability

Table 1--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As identified in Airbus
Model-- Mandatory Service Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A300 series airplanes.............. A300-57-0232, Revision 02,
dated February 21, 2000.
(2) A310 series airplanes.............. A310-57-2075, Revision 03,
dated December 1, 2006.
(3) A300-600 series airplanes.......... A300-57-6079, Revision 04,
dated February 21, 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from issuance of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in
the pylon thrust and sideload fitting of the wing, which could
result in reduced structural integrity 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. Requirements of AD 98-16-11:

Repetitive Detailed Inspections at Reduced Thresholds and Repeat
Intervals for Certain Airplanes

(f) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or
(f)(2) of this AD: Perform a detailed inspection to detect cracks in
the pylon thrust and sideload fitting of the wing, in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0232, Revision 01 (for Model
A300 series airplanes); A310-57-2075, Revision 01 (for Model A310
series airplanes); or A300-57-6079, Revision 02 (for Model A300-600
series airplanes); all dated January 12, 1998; as applicable; except
as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(1) For Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes: Inspect prior
to the accumulation of 2,800 total flight cycles, or within 18
months after September 4, 1998 (the effective date AD 98-16-11),
whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed
2,800 flight cycles.
(2) For Model A310 series airplanes: Inspect at the earlier of
the times specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii) of this
AD. Repeat thereafter at the applicable intervals specified in Table
3 of this AD.
(i) Prior to the accumulation of 2,800 total flight cycles, or
within 18 months after September 4, 1998, whichever occurs later.
(ii) At the applicable time specified in Table 2 of this AD.

Table 2--Reduced Inspection Thresholds for Model A310 Series Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compliance time (whichever occurs later)
Model -------------------------------------------
Threshold Grace period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A310-200 series airplanes. Before the Within 800 flight
accumulation of cycles or 1,600
1,500 total flight flight hours after
cycles or 3,000 the effective date
total flight hours of this AD,
since first flight, whichever occurs
whichever occurs first.
first.
A310-300 series airplanes Before the Within 800 flight
(short range). accumulation of cycles or 1,600
1,300 total flight flight hours after
cycles or 3,800 the effective date
total flight hours of this AD,
since first flight, whichever occurs
whichever occurs first.
first.
A310-300 series airplanes Before the Within 800 flight
(long range). accumulation of 800 cycles or 1,600
total flight cycles flight hours after
or 4,000 total the effective date
flight hours since of this AD,
first flight, whichever occurs
whichever occurs first.
first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 3--Reduced Repeat Intervals for Model A310 Series Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repeat the detailed And, thereafter at
For Model-- inspection at the intervals not to
later of-- exceed--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A310-200 series airplanes. Within 1,500 flight 1,500 flight cycles
cycles or 3,000 or 3,000 flight
flight hours since hours, whichever
the last detailed occurs first.
inspection,
whichever occurs
first; or within
800 flight cycles
or 1,600 flight
hours after the
effective date of
this AD, whichever
occurs first.
A310-300 series airplanes Within 1,300 flight 1,300 flight cycles
(short range). cycles or 3,800 or 3,800 flight
flight hours since hours, whichever
the last detailed occurs first.
inspection,
whichever occurs
first; or within
800 flight cycles
or 1,600 flight
hours after the
effective date of
this AD, whichever
occurs first.
A310-300 series airplanes Within 800 flight 800 flight cycles or
(long range). cycles or 4,000 4,000 flight hours,
flight hours since whichever occurs
the last detailed first.
inspection,
whichever occurs
first; or within
800 flight cycles
or 1,600 flight
hours after the
effective date of
this AD, whichever
occurs first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corrective Action

(g) If any crack is detected during any inspection required by
paragraph (f) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the pylon
thrust and sideload fitting with a new fitting in accordance with
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0232, Revision 01 (for Model A300
series airplanes); A310-57-2075, Revision 01 (for Model A310 series
airplanes); or A300-57-6079, Revision 02 (for Model A300-600 series
airplanes); all dated January 12, 1998; as applicable; except as
provided by paragraphs (h) and (j) of this AD.

[[Page 7807]]

New Actions Required by This AD:

New Service Information

(h) For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, use
only the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service
bulletin specified in Table 4 of this AD to do the repetitive
detailed inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD and the
replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

Table 4--New Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus mandatory Service Bulletin-- For model--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A300-57-0232, Revision 02, dated A300 series airplanes.
February 21, 2000.
(2) A300-57-6079, Revision 04, dated A300-600 series airplanes.
February 21, 2000.
(3) A310-57-2075, Revision 03, dated A310 series airplanes.
December 1, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6079, Revision 02,
dated January 12, 1998, or Revision 03, dated October 25, 1999 (for
Model A300-600 series airplanes); A310-57-2075, Revision 01, dated
January 12, 1998, or Revision 02, dated February 21, 2000 (for Model
A310 series airplanes); or A300-57-0232, Revision 01, dated January
12, 1998 (for Model A300 series airplanes); are acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.

Optional Approval Method

(j) Repairing the pylon thrust and sideload fitting of the wing,
using a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or its delegated agent, is acceptable
for compliance with the replacement required by paragraph (g) of
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information 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.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.

Related Information

(l) EASA airworthiness directive 2007-0243, dated September 4,
2007, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(m) You must use service bulletins identified in Table 5 of this
AD to do the actions required by this AD, as applicable, unless the
AD specifies otherwise.

Table 5--All Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus service information Revision Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57- 02 February 21, 2000.
0232.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A300-57- 04 February 21, 2000.
6079.
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310-57- 03 December 1, 2006.
2075.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-0232......... 01 January 12, 1998.
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6079......... 02 January 12, 1998.
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-57-2075......... 01 January 12, 1998.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service bulletins identified in
Table 6 of this AD in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51.

Table 6--New Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus mandatory Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-57-0232................................. 02 February 21, 2000.
A300-57-6079................................. 04 February 21, 2000.
A310-57-2075................................. 03 December 1, 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) On September 4, 1998 (63 FR 40816, July 31, 1998) the
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of the service bulletins identified in Table 7 of this AD.

Table 7--Material Previously Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-57-0232................................. 01 January 12, 1998.
A310-57-2075................................. 01 January 12, 1998.
A300-57-6079................................. 02 January 12, 1998.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS--EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96;
fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; e-mail: account.airworth-

[[Page 7808]]

eas@airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com.
(4) You may review copies of the service information that is
incorporated by reference 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 or 425-227-1152.
(5) You may also review copies of the service information 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 18, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3276 Filed 2-19-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P