Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, and Model A340- 211, -212, -311, and -312 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-119-AD; Amendment 39-11347; AD 99-21-04]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, and Model A340-

211, -212, -311, and -312 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

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

applicable to certain Airbus Model A330-301, and Model A340-211, -212,

-311, and -312 series airplanes, that requires repetitive detailed

visual inspections of the fuselage belly fairing support structure to

detect cracks; and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment also

provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing

airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct

fatigue cracking of the fuselage belly fairing support structure, which

could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage belly

fairing support structure.

DATES: Effective November 5, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of November 5, 1999.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules

Docket, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A330-301, and

Model A340-211, -212, -311, and -312 series airplanes was published in

the Federal Register on August 4, 1999 (64 FR 42289). That action

proposed to require repetitive detailed visual inspections of the

fuselage belly fairing support structure to detect cracks; and

corrective action, if necessary. That action also proposed to provide

an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the single comment received.

The commenter indicates that it is not affected by the proposed

rule.

Explanation of Change Made to Proposal

The FAA had added a note to the final rule to clarify the

definition of a detailed visual inspection.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest

require the adoption of the rule with the change described previously.

The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the

economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

Currently, there are no Airbus Model A330-301 series airplanes on

the U.S. Register. However, should an affected airplane be imported and

placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it will take approximately 5

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

the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $300 per airplane,

per inspection cycle.

Also, there are no Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -311, and -312

series airplanes on the U.S. Register. However, should an affected

airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it

will take approximately 6 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 the required AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $360 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

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

Register and an operator elects to accomplish the optional terminating

action rather than continue the repetitive inspections, it will take

approximately between 10 and 178 work hours per airplane (for Model

A330 series airplanes), or between 10 and 188 work hours per airplane

(for Model A340 series airplanes), at an average labor rate of $60 per

work hour.

Required parts will cost approximately between $1,313 and $13,262

(for Model A330 series airplanes) or between $1,049 and $14,311 (for

Model A340 series airplanes), per airplane. Based on these figures, the

cost impact of this optional terminating action is estimated to be

between $1,913 and $23,942 (for Model A330 series airplanes) or between

$1,649 and $25,591 (for Model A340 series airplanes), per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects on the

[[Page 53190]]

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:

99-21-04 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-11347. Docket 99-NM-119-AD.

Applicability: Model A330-301 series airplanes, except those

airplanes on which Airbus Modification 42332 (reference Airbus

Service Bulletin A330-53-3012, dated June 26, 1995) has been

accomplished; and Model A340-211, -212, -311, and -312 series

airplanes, except those airplanes on which Airbus Modification 42331

or 42332 (reference Airbus Service Bulletin A340-53-4020, dated June

26, 1995), has been accomplished; certificated in any category.

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 (d) 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 detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage belly

fairing support structure, which could result in reduced structural

integrity of the fuselage belly fairing support structure,

accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspection

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 4,000 total flight cycles, or

within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,

whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual inspection of the

fuselage belly fairing support structure for cracks, in accordance

with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3029, dated June 26, 1995 (for

Model A330 series airplanes); or A340-53-4038, Revision 1, dated

February 6, 1996 (for Model A340 series airplanes); as applicable.

Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,800

flight cycles.

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.''

Repair

(b) If any crack is found during any inspection required by

paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in

accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3012, dated June 26,

1995 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or A340-53-4020, dated June

26, 1995 (for Model A340 series airplanes); as applicable.

Accomplishment of this action constitutes terminating action for the

repetitive inspections required by this AD for only that repaired

part.

Optional Terminating Action

(c) Modification of the belly fairing support structure in

accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-53-3012, dated June 26,

1995 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or A340-53-4020, dated June

26, 1995 (for Model A340 series airplanes); as applicable;

constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(d) 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 3: 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

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

Secs. 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

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

Bulletin A330-53-3029, dated June 26, 1995; Airbus Service Bulletin

A340-53-4038, Revision 1, dated February 6, 1996; Airbus Service

Bulletin A330-53-3012, dated June 26, 1995; or Airbus Service

Bulletin A340-53-4020, dated June 26, 1995; as applicable. Airbus

Service Bulletin A340-53-4038, Revision 1, dated February 6, 1996,

has the following effective pages:

List of Effective Pages

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

Revision level

Page No. shown on page Date shown on page

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

1, 2............................ 1................. February 6, 1996.

3-31............................ Original.......... June 26, 1995.

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

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, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French

airworthiness directives 95-256-023(B) R1 and 95-258-037(B) R1, both

dated December 17, 1997.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on November 5, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 27, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-25595 Filed 9-30-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U