This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

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REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

23105 

Vol. 78, No. 75 

Thursday, April 18, 2013 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0810; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–195–AD; Amendment 

39–17420; AD 2013–08–03] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A330–200, A330–300, 

A340–200 and A340–300 series 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 

report that revealed the wheel axles of 

the main landing gear (MLG) were 

machined with a radius as small as 0.4 

millimeters. This AD requires replacing 

the wheel axle of the MLG with a 

serviceable part. We are issuing this AD 

to prevent fatigue of the wheel axle of 

the MLG, which could adversely affect 

the structural integrity of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 

23, 2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of May 23, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

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 

(425) 227–1138; fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on August 27, 2012 (77 FR 

51729). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 

states: 

EASA [European Aviation Safety Agency] 

has received a report via Airbus and MessierBugatti-Dowty Ltd, from a Maintenance 

repair organisation, concerning a specific 

repair, accomplished on certain MLG wheel 

axles. Investigations revealed that the axles 

have been machined with a radius as small 

as 0.4 mm. 

This condition, if not corrected, has a 

detrimental effect on the fatigue lives of these 

parts, possibly affecting the structural 

integrity of the aeroplane. Fatigue analyses 

were performed, the results of which 

indicated that the life limit of the affected 

MLG wheel axles must be reduced to below 

the one stated in the A330 and A340 Airbus 

Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) Part 

1. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA) AD [2011–0170, dated September 7, 

2011] requires the replacement of the MLG 

wheel axles before reaching the new reduced 

demonstrated life limit. 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM (77 

FR 51729, August 27, 2012), or on the 

determination of the cost to the public. 

Explanation of Changes Made Since 

NPRM (77 FR 51729, August 27, 2012) 

Was Issued 

Since the NPRM (77 FR 51729, 

August 27, 2012) was issued, we have 

reviewed Airbus Alert Operators 

Transmission (AOT) A330–32A–3256, 

Revision 01, including Appendix 1, 

dated October 18, 2012 (for Model 

A330–200 and –300 series airplanes); 

and Airbus AOT A340–32A–4292, 

Revision 01, including Appendix 1, 

dated October 18, 2012 (for Model 

A340–200 and –300 series airplanes). 

This service information includes 

additional wheel axle serial numbers 

and corrects an incorrectly listed serial 

number. We have revised paragraphs 

(g), (h), and (k) (paragraph (j) of the 

NPRM) of this AD to refer to the new 

service information. We have 

coordinated this change with EASA. 

We have also added new paragraph 

(j), ‘‘Credit for Previous Actions,’’ to this 

AD to provide credit for actions 

performed before the effective date of 

this AD using Airbus All Operator Telex 

A330–32A3256, including Appendix 1, 

dated August 24, 2011; and Airbus All 

Operator Telex A340–32A4292, 

including Appendix 1, dated August 24, 

2011. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the changes described previously— 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 

51729, August 27, 2012) for correcting 

the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 51729, 

August 27, 2012). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

59 products of U.S. registry. We also 

estimate that it will take about 48 workhours per product to comply with the 

basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Required parts will cost about $153,443 

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 parts. 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 

this AD to the U.S. operators to be 

$9,293,857, or $157,523 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 


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23106 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

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 AD will not 

have federalism implications under 

Executive Order 13132. This AD 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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify that this AD: 

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); 

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in 

Alaska; and 

4. 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. 

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 the NPRM (77 FR 51729, 

August 27, 2012), the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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: 

2013–08–03 Airbus: Amendment 39–17420. 

Docket No. FAA–2012–0810; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–195–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective May 23, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330– 

201, –202, –203, –223, –243, –301, –302, 

–303, –321, –322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 

airplanes; and Model A340–211, –212, –213, 

–311, –312, and –313 airplanes; certificated 

in any category; all manufacturer serial 

numbers, except those on which Airbus 

modification 54500 has been embodied in 

production. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 32: Landing Gear. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report that 

revealed the wheel axles were machined with 

a radius as small as 0.4 millimeters. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent fatigue of the 

wheel axle of the main landing gear (MLG), 

which could adversely affect the structural 

integrity of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for having the actions 

required by this AD performed within the 

compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

(g) Definitions 

(1) For the purpose of this AD, an affected 

MLG wheel axle is defined as a MLG axle 

having a part number and serial number 

specified in Part 1 of Appendix 1 of Airbus 

Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A330– 

32A–3256, Revision 01, dated October 18, 

2012 (for Model A330–200 and –300 series 

airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340–32A–4292, 

Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for 

Model A340–200 and –300 series airplanes). 

(2) After removal from an airplane, an 

affected MLG wheel axle that has reached its 

life limit is considered an unserviceable part. 

(3) The term ‘‘life limit’’ used in this AD 

means a post-repair life limit. 

(h) Replacement 

At the later of the times specified in 

paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD: Replace 

all affected MLG wheel axles with 

serviceable parts, in accordance with the 

instructions of Airbus AOT A330–32A–3256, 

Revision 01, including Appendix 1, dated 

October 18, 2012 (for Model A330–200 and 

–300 series airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340– 

32A–4292, Revision 01, including Appendix 

1, dated October 18, 2012 (for Model A340– 

200 and –300 series airplanes). 

(1) Before the accumulation of the 

applicable landings or flight hours specified 

in table 1 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. The 

‘‘Post-repair MLG Wheel Axle Life Limit’’ 

must be counted from the date of installation 

of the MLG wheel axle on an airplane which 

occurs after the date of repair specified in 

Part 1 of Appendix 1 of Airbus AOT A330– 

32A–3256, Revision 01, dated October 18, 

2012 (for Model A330–200 and –300 series 

airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340–32A–4292, 

Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for 

Model A340–200 and –300 series airplanes). 

TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (h)(1) OF THIS AD—POST-REPAIR MLG WHEEL AXLE LIFE LIMIT

Affected airplanes 

Post-repair MLG wheel axle life limit, 

whichever occurs first (see paragraph 

(h)(1) of this AD) 

Model A340–311, –312, and –313 airplanes, weight variant (WV) 00 .................................................. 4,700 landings or 22,250 flight hours. 

Model A340–211, –212, and –213 airplanes, WV00 ............................................................................. 4,600 landings or 29,000 flight hours. 

Model A340–313 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 ....................................................................................... 3,950 landings or 16,900 flight hours. 

Model A330–301, –321, –322, –341, and –342 airplanes, WV00 and WV01 ....................................... 5,050 landings or 15,200 flight hours. 

Model A330–201, –202, –203, –223, and –243, WV02, WV05, and WV06 .......................................... 4,450 landings or 17,900 flight hours. 

Model A330–301, –302, –303, –323, –342, and –343 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 ............................. 5,150 landings or 13,450 flight hours. 

(2) Within 24 months after the effective 

date of this AD without exceeding the 

applicable landings or flight hours specified 

in table 2 to paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. The 

‘‘Post-repair MLG Wheel Axle Flight Hours 

or Landings, . . . not to be Exceeded’’ must 


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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 23107 

be counted from the date of installation of the 

MLG wheel axle on an airplane, which 

occurs after the date of repair specified in the 

Part 1 of Appendix 1 of Airbus AOT A330– 

32A–3256, Revision 01, dated October 18, 

2012 (for Model A330–200 and –300 series 

airplanes); or Airbus AOT A340–32A–4292, 

Revision 01, dated October 18, 2012 (for 

Model A340–200 and –300 series airplanes). 

TABLE 2 TO PARAGRAPH (h)(2) OF THIS AD—POST-REPAIR MLG WHEEL AXLE FLIGHT HOURS OR LANDINGS

Affected airplanes 

Post-repair MLG wheel axle flight hours or 

landings, whichever occurs first, not to be 

exceeded (see paragraph (h)(2) of this 

AD) 

Model A340–311, –312, and –313 airplanes, WV00 ............................................................................. 7,830 landings or 37,080 flight hours. 

Model A340–211, –212, and –213 airplanes, WV00 ............................................................................. 7,660 landings or 48,330 flight hours. 

Model A340–313 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 ....................................................................................... 6,580 landings or 28,160 flight hours. 

Model A330–301, –321, –322, –341, and –342 airplanes, WV00 and WV01 ....................................... 8,410 landings or 25,330 flight hours. 

Model A330–201, –202, –203, –223, and –243 airplanes, WV02, WV05, and WV06 .......................... 7,410 landings or 29,830 flight hours. 

Model A330–301, –302, –303, –323, –342, and –343 airplanes, WV02 and WV05 ............................. 8,580 landings or 22,580 flight hours. 

(i) Parts Installation Limitation 

As of the effective date of this AD: An 

affected MLG wheel axle may be installed on 

an airplane, provided the MLG wheel axle 

has not exceeded the limits specified in table 

1 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD and it is 

replaced with a serviceable part before 

reaching the life limit defined in table 1 to 

paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. 

(j) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD 

with respect to the affected MLG wheel axle 

defined in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if 

those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD using the applicable 

service information specified in paragraph 

(j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD, which is not 

incorporated by reference in this AD. 

(1) Airbus All Operator Telex A330– 

32A3256, including Appendix 1, dated 

August 24, 2011 (for Model A330–200 and 

–300 series airplanes). 

(2) Airbus All Operator Telex A340– 

32A4292, including Appendix 1, dated 

August 24, 2011 (for Model A340–200 and 

–300 series airplanes). 

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions 

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. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 227–1138; fax (425) 

227–1149. Information may be emailed to: 9- 

ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding 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. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation 

Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2011– 

0170, dated September 7, 2011, and the 

service information specified in paragraphs 

(l)(1)(i) and (l)(1)(ii) of this AD, for related 

information. 

(i) Airbus AOT A330–32A–3256, Revision 

01, including Appendix 1, dated October 18, 

2012. 

(ii) Airbus AOT A340–32A–4292, Revision 

01, including Appendix 1, dated October 18, 

2012. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS—Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission 

(AOT) A330–32A–3256, Revision 01, 

including Appendix 1, dated October 18, 

2012. The Document number and revision 

level are not identified on pages 2–5 of this 

AOT; the revision date is identified on only 

page 1 of this AOT and the first page of 

Appendix 1 of this AOT. 

(ii) AOT A340–32A–4292, Revision 01, 

including Appendix 1, dated October 18, 

2012. The Document number and revision 

level are not identified on pages 2–5 of this 

AOT; the revision date is identified on only 

page 1 of this AOT and the first page of 

Appendix 1 of this AOT. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS—Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

(4) You may review copies of the service 

information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA. For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 5, 

2013. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–08741 Filed 4–17–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1087; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–SW–32–AD; Amendment 39– 

17424; AD 2013–08–07] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Eurocopter France (ECF) Model 

AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters to 

require an initial and repetitive 

inspections of the outer skin, butt strap, 

and fuselage frame for a crack and 

modification of the helicopter. This AD 

was prompted by an AD issued by the 


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