[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71004-71005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32583]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-195-AD; Amendment 39-11471; AD 99-26-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322
Series Airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Airbus Model A330-301, -321, and -322 series
airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 series
airplanes, that requires repetitive replacements of the yaw damper
actuator installed on active position with a new or overhauled yaw
damper actuator. 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 prevent
hydraulic leakage from the yaw damper actuator installed on active
position due to premature wear of the dynamic seals between the
actuator piston and the piston bearing. Hydraulic leakage could lead to
complete loss of the green hydraulic circuit, which could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective January 24, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 24, 2000.
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 all Airbus Model A330-301, -321,
and -322 series airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312,
and -313 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
October 8, 1999 (64 FR 54797). That action proposed to require
repetitive replacements of the yaw damper actuator installed on active
position with a new or overhauled yaw damper actuator.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No
[[Page 71005]]
comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's
determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will
positively address the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA may
consider additional rulemaking.
Cost Impact
Currently, there are no Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322 series
airplanes, or Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 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 require
approximately 2 work hours to accomplish the required replacement, at
an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The manufacturer has
committed previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of
replacement parts. As a result, the cost of those parts are not
attributable to this AD. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
this AD will be $120 per airplane, per replacement cycle.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
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:
99-26-12 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11471. Docket 99-NM-195-AD.
Applicability: All Model A330-301, -321, and -322 series
airplanes, and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313
series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 (b) 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 hydraulic leakage from the yaw damper actuator which
could lead to complete loss of the green hydraulic circuit, which
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
Repetitive Replacement
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 6,500 total flight hours, or
within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, replace the yaw damper actuator installed on
active position with a new or overhauled yaw damper actuator in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-27-3055, Revision 01,
dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A330 series airplanes); or A340-27-
4063, Revision 01, dated July 1, 1998 (for Model A340 series
airplanes); as applicable. Thereafter, repeat the replacement at
intervals not to exceed 6,500 flight hours.
Note 2: Replacement of yaw dampers accomplished prior to the
effective date of this AD in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin
A330-27-3055, dated August 26, 1997 (for Model A330 series
airplanes), or Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4063, dated August
26, 1997 (for Model A340 series airplanes); as applicable; is an
acceptable method of compliance for the initial replacement required
by paragraph (a) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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 the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 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
(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A330-27-3055, Revision 01, dated July 1, 1998; or
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-27-4063, Revision 01, dated July 1,
1998; as applicable. 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 1998-100-067(B) R2, dated May 19, 1999, and
98-104-083(B), dated February 25, 1998.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 24, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-32583 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
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