Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-159-AD; Amendment 39-11312; AD 99-19-25]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A340 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Airbus Model A340 series airplanes. This action

requires a one-time inspection of all gland nuts supplied with certain

shock struts of the center landing gear (CLG) to verify that the gland

nuts have the correct thread profile, and replacement of any defective

gland nut with a new gland nut. This amendment is prompted by issuance

of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions specified in this AD are intended

to prevent the failure of the CLG, and subsequent damage to the

airplane structure or injury to airplane occupants.

DATES: Effective September 30, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of September 30, 1999.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before October 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-159-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from

Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,

France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite

700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)

227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile

(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the

FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A340

series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during take-off, the center

landing gear (CLG) shock strut of an in-service airplane disengaged

from the CLG main fitting because of a defective gland nut. Inspection

of the defective gland nut revealed that the thread profile of the

gland nut was incorrect. This condition, if not corrected, could result

in the failure of the CLG, and subsequent damage to the airplane

structure or injury to airplane occupants.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision 01, dated

May 28, 1998, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of

all gland nuts supplied with certain shock struts of the CLG to verify

that the gland nuts have the correct thread profile. For any defective

gland nut, the service bulletin describes procedures for replacement of

the gland nut with a new part.

Accomplishment of the actions specified in Airbus Service Bulletin

A340-32-4111 is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe

condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and

issued French airworthiness directive 98-153-088(B), dated April 8,

1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes

in France.

Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111 refers to Messier-Dowty

Service Bulletin No. M-DT SB18000-32-8, dated October 30, 1997, which

provides the criteria for acceptability of the gland nut and is an

additional source of service information for accomplishment of the

inspection and replacement.

FAA's Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and

the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this

bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed

of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of

the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD

action is necessary for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered

in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent the failure of

the CLG, and subsequent damage to the airplane structure or injury to

airplane occupants. This AD requires accomplishment of the actions

specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, described

previously.

Cost Impact

None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.

Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule

currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry;

therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However,

the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe

condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes

are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would require approximately 4 work hours to

accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per

work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be

$240 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently

on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no

additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public

procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made

effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal

Register.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not

preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this

rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments

[[Page 49980]]

as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket

number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under

the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the

closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that

supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be

available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the

Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that

summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this

AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 99-NM-159-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

99-19-25 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11312. Docket 99-NM-159-AD.

Applicability: Model A340 series airplanes, certificated in any

category, on which Airbus Modification 43028 (reference Airbus

Service Bulletin A340-32-4083, dated September 19, 1996) has been

incorporated.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent the failure of the center landing gear (CLG), and

subsequent damage to the airplane structure or injury to airplane

occupants, accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Within one month after the effective date of this AD,

perform a detailed visual inspection of all gland nuts supplied with

the 18000 series shock struts, part numbers 18100-1001 through

18100-1061 and part numbers 18105-1001 through 18105-1061, on the

CLG to verify that the gland nuts have the correct thread profile,

in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision

01, dated May 28, 1998. For any gland nut thread profile that is not

acceptable, as specified by the service bulletin: Prior to further

flight, replace that gland nut with a new part, in accordance with

the service bulletin.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

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.''

Note 3: Accomplishment of the inspection in accordance with

Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, dated November 27, 1997, is

acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of

this AD.

Note 4: Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111 refers to Messier-

Dowty Service Bulletin No. M-DT SB18000-32-8, dated October 30,

1997, as an additional source of service information for the

inspection, the replacement of any defective gland nut, and the

criteria for acceptability of the gland nut thread profile.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install

an 18000 series shock strut, part numbers 18100-1001 through 18100-

1061 and part numbers 18105-1001 through 18105-1061, on the CLG of

any airplane, unless that shock strut has been inspected and

applicable corrective actions have been performed in accordance with

Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, dated November 27, 1997, or

Airbus Service Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision 01, dated May 28,

1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International

Branch, ANM-116.

Note 5: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service

Bulletin A340-32-4111, Revision 01, dated May 28, 1998. This

incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the

Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part

51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be

inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton,

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Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 6: The subject of this AD is addressed in French

airworthiness directive 98-153-088(B), dated April 8, 1998.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 30, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 2, 1999.

Dorenda D. Baker,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-23470 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P