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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63159-63161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25778]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0999; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-235-AD; 
Amendment 39-16825; AD 2011-21-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-243F Airplanes 
Equipped With Rolls Royce Trent 700 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This 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 flight tests, unexpected fatigue high loads were measured 
on the hinges integrated on the 12 o'clock beam which form the upper 
extreme edge of the thrust reverser unit C duct.
    This situation, if not corrected, could lead to the separation 
of the thrust reverser from the aeroplane and therefore to damage of 
the aeroplane and hazards to persons or property on the ground.
* * * * *

    This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 27, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 27, 
2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 28, 2011.

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: (202) 493-2251.
     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 W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 AD, 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.

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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0187, dated September 21, 2010 (referred 
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During flight tests, unexpected fatigue high loads were measured 
on the hinges integrated on the 12 o'clock beam which form the upper 
extreme edge of the thrust reverser unit C duct.
    This situation, if not corrected, could lead to the separation 
of the thrust reverser from the aeroplane and therefore to damage of 
the aeroplane and hazards to persons or property on the ground.
    DGAC [Directorate General for Civil Aviation] AD F-1997-118-047 
was issued to prevent structural damage of the thrust reversers.
    This [EASA] AD, which supersedes DGAC AD F-1997-118-047R2 [which 
corresponds with FAA AD 2001-09-14, Amendment 39-12221 (66 FR 23838, 
May 10, 2001] * * * is issued to extend the applicability to the 
newly certified model A330-243F.

    Required actions include repetitive general visual inspections for 
cracks of the hinge assemblies and along the beam structure of the 
right and left engine thrust reversers, detailed inspection for 
cracking of hinges 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the left and right thrust 
reversers if no cracking is found during any general inspection, and 
replacing the affected thrust reverser of each engine if any crack is 
found. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the 
AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-78-3006, Revision 
09, including Appendix 1, dated October 21, 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 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these

[[Page 63160]]

products are placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Differences Between the 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 required 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 AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0999; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NM-235-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    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 AD.

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 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 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); 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 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.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2011-21-02 Airbus: Amendment 39-16825. Docket No. FAA-2011-0999; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-235-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 
27, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-243F airplanes; 
certificated in any category; equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 700 
series engines.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78: Engine 
Exhaust.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    During flight tests, unexpected fatigue high loads were measured 
on the hinges integrated on the 12 o'clock beam which form the upper 
extreme edge of the thrust reverser unit C duct.
    This situation, if not corrected, could lead to the separation 
of the thrust reverser from the aeroplane and therefore to damage of 
the aeroplane and hazards to persons or property on the ground.
* * * * *

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) At the applicable initial and repetitive times specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, perform a general visual 
inspection of the hinge assemblies and along the beam structure of 
the right and left engine thrust reversers for cracks, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A330-78-3006, Revision 09, excluding Appendix 1, dated 
October 21, 2009.
    (1) For airplanes on which neither Airbus modification 46879 nor 
Airbus modification 47358 have been embodied in production: Do the 
inspection before the accumulation of 1,200 total flight cycles 
after the first flight of the airplane or within 3 months after the 
effective date of the AD, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, do the 
inspection at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight cycles.
    (2) For airplanes on which either Airbus modification 46879 or 
Airbus modification 47358 have been embodied in production: Do the 
inspection before the accumulation 2,000 total flight cycles after 
the first flight of the airplane, or within 3 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, do 
the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,000 flight cycles.
    (h) If no crack is found during the general visual inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, perform 
a detailed inspection of hinges 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the right and left 
thrust reversers for cracks, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-78-3006, 
Revision 09, excluding Appendix 1, dated October 21, 2009. If no 
crack is found during the detailed inspection, repeat the general 
visual inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the 
intervals specified in paragraphs (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (i) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) or (h) of

[[Page 63161]]

this AD: Before further flight, replace the affected thrust 
reverser, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-78-3006, Revision 09, 
excluding Appendix 1, dated October 21, 2009. Repeat the general 
visual inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the 
intervals specified in paragraphs (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:
    Although European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 
(EASA) 2010-0187, dated September 21, 2010, is applicable to Airbus 
Model A330-243, -243F, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes, this AD 
applies to only A330-243F airplanes. The unsafe condition for Model 
A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes is addressed in FAA AD 
2001-09-14, amendment 39-12221 (66 FR 23838, May 10, 2001).

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (j) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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 manager of ANM-
116, 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 e-mailed 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.

Related Information

    (k) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010-0187, dated 
September 21, 2010; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-78-
3006, Revision 09, excluding Appendix 1, dated October 21, 2009; for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-78-3006, 
Revision 09, excluding Appendix 1, dated October 21, 2009, to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (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; e-mail airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 23, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-25778 Filed 10-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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