[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50856-50858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19723]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0763; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-253-AD]
Amendment 39-16394; AD 2010-17-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A380-800 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
A crack has been found on the Droop Nose (DN) 1 master sidestay
bracket on the inboard leading edge of an Airbus A380 flight test
aeroplane.
In case of failure of the master bracket, the sub-master bracket
would be able to sustain limit loads but not ultimate loads.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a
DN failure which would affect the structural integrity of that wing
area.
* * * * *
This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 2, 2010.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 2,
2010.
We must receive comments on this AD by October 4, 2010.
[[Page 50857]]
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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 this proposed AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356;
telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2009-0213, dated October 8, 2009 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A crack has been found on the Droop Nose (DN) 1 master sidestay
bracket on the inboard leading edge of an Airbus A380 flight test
aeroplane.
In case of failure of the master bracket, the sub-master bracket
would be able to sustain limit loads but not ultimate loads.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a
DN failure which would affect the structural integrity of that wing
area.
This AD requires an inspection programme to detect any crack in
the DN 1 master sidestay bracket and subsequently in the sub-master
bracket, and the accomplishment of the associated corrective
actions, as applicable.
Corrective actions include replacing the cracked DN 1 master sidestay
bracket, performing a detailed visual inspection for cracks of the
associated DN 1 sub-master sidestay bracket, and contacting Airbus if
cracks are found on the DN 1 sub-master sidestay bracket. You may
obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A380-57-8019, dated
August 5, 2009. The actions described in this service information are
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
There are no products of this type currently registered in the
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product,
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
unnecessary.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0763; Directorate
Identifier 2009-NM-253-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 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 this proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
[[Page 50858]]
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.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2010-17-04 Airbus: Amendment 39-16394. Docket No. FAA-2010-0763;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-253-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 2, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A380-841, -842, and -861
airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
A crack has been found on the Droop Nose (DN) 1 master sidestay
bracket on the inboard leading edge of an Airbus A380 flight test
aeroplane.
In case of failure of the master bracket, the sub-master bracket
would be able to sustain limit loads but not ultimate loads.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a
DN failure which would affect the structural integrity of that wing
area.
* * * * *
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Actions
(g) Before the accumulation of 1,250 total flight cycles or
within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, do a detailed visual inspection (DVI) of the left-hand and
right-hand DN 1 master sidestay brackets to detect cracks, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory
Service Bulletin A380-57-8019, dated August 5, 2009.
(1) If no cracks are found, repeat the inspection at intervals
not to exceed 1,250 flight cycles.
(2) If any crack is found, before further flight, replace the
cracked DN 1 master sidestay bracket and perform a DVI for cracks of
the associated DN 1 sub-master sidestay bracket, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin
A380-57-8019, dated August 5, 2009.
(i) If no crack is found during the inspection specified in
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, repeat the inspection of the DN 1
master sidestay brackets specified in paragraph (g) of this AD at
intervals not to exceed 1,250 flight cycles.
(ii) If any crack is found during the inspection specified in
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, before further flight, contact Airbus
and repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager,
International Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated
agent).
(h) Replacement of cracked DN 1 master sidestay brackets, as
specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, is not a terminating
action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(i) 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. Send information to ATTN:
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1112; fax (425)
227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which
the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI)
or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards 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.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(j) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2009-0213, dated
October 8, 2009; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A380-57-8019,
dated August 5, 2009; for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A380-57-8019,
dated August 5, 2009, as applicable, to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus SAS--EANA (Airworthiness Office); 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 562 110 253;
Fax +33 562 110 307; e-mail [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 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 July 30, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-19723 Filed 8-17-10; 8:45 am]
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