2010-7460. Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-223, -321, -322, and -323 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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: During accomplishment of Damage Tolerant—Airworthiness Limitation Item task 712106-01-01 from A330 ALS Part 2, an A330 operator found a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) indication in the head of the shank filet radius in one of the Pratt & Whitney (PW) forward (FWD) engine mount pylon bolts. Dual-bolt fractures could lead to inability for mount assembly to sustain loads which may lead to an engine mount failure and consequently to engine separation from the aeroplane during flight, which would constitute an unsafe condition.

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 17, 2010.

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: [phone].
• 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.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Airbus SAS—Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; e-mail [e-mail]; Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced 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.

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 [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2010-0278; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-255-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

We have lengthened the 30-day comment period for proposed ADs that address MCAI originated by aviation authorities of other countries to provide adequate time for interested parties to submit comments. The comment period for these proposed ADs is now typically 45 days, which is consistent with the comment period for domestic transport ADs.

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 proposed AD.

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 2009-0240, dated November 5, 2009 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

During accomplishment of Damage Tolerant—Airworthiness Limitation Item task 712106-01-01 from A330 ALS Part 2, an A330 operator found a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) indication in the head of the shank filet radius in one of the Pratt & Whitney (PW) forward (FWD) engine mount pylon bolts.

Investigation has confirmed that this FPI indication was due to a quality manufacturing process issue which led to a bolt non-conformance and is also applicable to aft ward (AFT) mount pylon bolts.

Dual-bolt fractures could lead to inability for mount assembly to sustain loads which may lead to an engine mount failure and consequently to engine separation from the aeroplane during flight, which would constitute an unsafe condition.

This AD requires a one time detailed visual inspection of the FWD and AFT mount pylon bolts on all A330 aeroplanes fitted with PW engines (8 bolts per engine) and replacement of any affected bolt.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, including Appendix 1, dated June 10, 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 proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

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.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 41 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 7 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $16,672 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $707,947, or $17,267 per product.

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;

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

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2010-0278; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-255-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by May 17, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-223, -321, -322, and -323 airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71: Powerplant.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

During accomplishment of Damage Tolerant—Airworthiness Limitation Item task 712106-01-01 from A330 ALS Part 2, an A330 operator found a Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) indication in the head of the shank filet radius in one of the Pratt & Whitney (PW) forward (FWD) engine mount pylon bolts.

Investigation has confirmed that this FPI indication was due to a quality manufacturing process issue which led to a bolt non-conformance and is also applicable to aft ward (AFT) mount pylon bolts.

Dual-bolt fractures could lead to inability for mount assembly to sustain loads which may lead to an engine mount failure and consequently to engine separation from the aeroplane during flight, which would constitute an unsafe condition.

This AD requires a one time detailed visual inspection of the FWD and AFT mount pylon bolts on all A330 aeroplanes fitted with PW engines (8 bolts per engine) and replacement of any affected bolt.

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) Do a detailed inspection to determine the part number, serial number, and lot number of the forward and aft mount pylon bolts on both engines, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009. Inspect at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.

(1) Before the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles or 24,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.

(2) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

(h) If the identified part number, serial number, or lot number corresponds to a suspect bolt number identified in Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW4G-100-71-35, dated March 14, 2008, before further flight remove the affected bolt and replace with a serviceable bolt, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009.

(i) If the bolt part number, serial number, or lot number is unreadable, before further flight remove the affected bolt and replace with a serviceable bolt, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009.

(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any forward or aft mount pylon bolt on any airplane, unless this bolt has been identified as a non-suspect bolt, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009.

(k) Although Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

FAA AD Differences

Note 1:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although the MCAI or service information tells you to submit information to the manufacturer, paragraph (k) of this AD specifies that such submittal is not required.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(l) 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. 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.

Related Information

(m) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2009-0240, dated November 5, 2009; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-71-3020, dated June 10, 2009; for related information.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2010.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.