[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24690-24691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12146]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-198-AD; Amendment 39-9625; AD 96-10-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and
-231 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 A320-111, -211, -212, and -231
series airplanes, that requires removing the existing forward pintle
nut and cross bolt on the main landing gear (MLG), and installing a new
nylon spacer and cross bolt and nut. This amendment is prompted by
results of fatigue testing which revealed that the cross bolt and nut
in the forward pintle pin of the MLG were damaged due to fatigue
cracking. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such
fatigue cracking, which could result in collapse of the MLG.
DATES: Effective June 20, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 20, 1996.
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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1149.
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 A320 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 6, 1996 (61 FR
8896). That action proposed to require removing the existing forward
pintle nut and cross bolt on the MLG; and installing a new nylon spacer
and cross bolt and nut.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the two comments received.
Both commenters support the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 90 Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -
231 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that
it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts will be supplied by the parts manufacturer at no cost to
the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,400, or $60 per airplane.
The 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.
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
[[Page 24691]]
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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-10-18 Airbus: Amendment 39-9625. Docket 95-NM-198-AD.
Applicability: Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 series
airplanes, on which Airbus Modification 23573 (Airbus Service
Bulletin A320-32-1119, Revision 1, dated June 13, 1994), 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
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 (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 collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) during
landing, due to failure of the forward pintle pin cross bolt,
accomplish the following:
(a) Remove the existing forward pintle nut and cross bolt; and
install a new nylon spacer and post-mod cross bolt and nut of the
MLG, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1119,
Revision 1, dated June 13, 1994, at the later of the times specified
in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
(1) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total landings, or at
the next main landing gear overhaul, whichever occurs first.
(2) Within 500 landings after the effective date of this AD.
Note 2: The Airbus service bulletin references Dowty Aerospace
Service Bulletin 200-32-194, Revision 1, dated October 4, 1993, as
an additional source of service information for accomplishment of
these procedures.
(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) 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.
(d) The removal and installation shall be done in accordance
with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1119, Revision 1, dated June
13, 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 20, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12146 Filed 5-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
