[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36834-36835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17911]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-93-AD; Amendment 39-10644; AD 98-14-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321
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 A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes,
that requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the lock bolt
for the pintle pin on the main landing gear (MLG), and follow-on
corrective actions, if necessary. 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 a rotated, damaged, or missing lock
bolt, which could result in disengagement of the pintle pin from the
bearing, and consequent collapse of the MLG during landing.
DATES: Effective August 12, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 12, 1998.
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 A319, A320, and
A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 12,
1998 (63 FR 26111). That action proposed to require repetitive
inspections for discrepancies of the lock bolt for the pintle pin on
the main landing gear (MLG), and follow-on corrective actions, if
necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
The commenters support the proposed rule.
Explanation of Changes Made to This Final Rule
In the proposal, the FAA inadvertently omitted reference to
Revision 1, dated June 13, 1994, of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-
1119. Therefore, the FAA has revised the final rule accordingly.
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 with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of
the AD.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$7,200, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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
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:
98-14-11 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10644. Docket 98-NM-93-AD.
Applicability: All Model A319, A320, and A321 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
[[Page 36835]]
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 detect and correct a rotated, damaged, or missing lock bolt,
which could result in disengagement of the pintle pin from the
bearing, and consequent collapse of the main landing gear (MLG)
during landing, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect discrepancies
(rotation, damage, and absence) of the lock bolt for the pintle pin
on the MLG, in accordance with Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 32-
17, Revision 01, dated November 6, 1997, at the latest of the times
specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3), of this AD. If
any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, perform
corrective actions, as applicable, in accordance with the AOT.
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000
flight cycles or 15 months, whichever occurs first.
(1) Within 30 months since the airplane's date of manufacture or
prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total flight cycles, whichever
occurs first.
(2) Within 15 months or 1,000 flight cycles after the last gear
replacement or accomplishment of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-
1119, Revision 1, dated June 13, 1994, whichever occurs first.
(3) Within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD.
(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 request
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch,
ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All
Operator Telex (AOT) 32-17, Revision 01, dated November 6, 1997.
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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-385-112(B), dated December 17, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 12, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17911 Filed 7-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
