[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17990-17991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8173]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-192-AD; Amendment 39-9187; AD 95-07-05]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 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 certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes, that
requires repetitive ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks in the bolt
holes inboard and outboard of rib 9 on the bottom booms of the front
and rear wing spars, and repair, if necessary. This amendment is
prompted by the discovery of fatigue cracks that emanated from the bolt
holes inboard and outboard of rib 9 in the bottom booms of the front
and rear wing spars. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent reduced structural integrity of a wing spar as a result of
fatigue cracks in the bolt holes.
DATES: Effective May 10, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 10, 1995.
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: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.
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 A300-600
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 15,
1994 (59 FR 64626). That action proposed to require repetitive
ultrasonic inspections to detect cracks in the bolt holes inboard and
outboard of rib 9 on the bottom booms of the front and rear wing spars,
and repair, if necessary.
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 supports the proposed rule.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been added to this final rule to clarify this long-standing
requirement.
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
The FAA estimates that 35 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 11 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $23,100, or $660
per airplane.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-07-05 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9187. Docket 94-NM-192-AD.
Applicability: Model A300-600 series airplanes on which Airbus
Modification [[Page 17991]] 10161 has not been installed,
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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent reduced structural integrity of a wing spar,
accomplish the following:
(a) Perform an ultrasonic inspection to detect cracks in the
bolt holes inboard and outboard of rib 9 on the bottom booms of the
front and rear wing spars, in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-57-6037, dated August 1, 1994, at the time specified
in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification 8842 (reference
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6039) has not been installed: Prior
to the accumulation of 17,000 total landings, or within 2,000
landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed
9,000 landings.
(2) For airplanes on which Airbus Modification 8842 has been
installed: Prior to the accumulation of 17,000 total landings after
accomplishment of Airbus Modification 8842, or within 2,000 landings
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Repeat
the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 9,000 landings.
(b) If any crack is found, prior to further flight, repair in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6037, dated August
1, 1994. Thereafter, perform the repetitive inspections required by
paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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, Standardization Branch, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-113. Operators shall submit
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(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.
(e) The inspections and repair shall be done in accordance with
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-57-6037, dated August 1, 1994. 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.
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(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 10, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 29, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-8173 Filed 4-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
