22188 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0296; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–106–AD; Amendment 

39–17000; AD 2012–06–19] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A330–201, –202, –203, 

–223, –243, –301, –302, –303, –321, 

–322, –323, –341, –342, and –343 

airplanes; and Model A340–200 and 

–300 series airplanes. This AD requires 

repetitive inspections of the main fitting 

and sliding tube of the nose landing gear 

(NLG) for defects, damage, and cracks, 

and corrective actions if necessary. This 

AD was prompted by reports of a 

cracked main fitting and sliding tube 

during overhaul of NLGs. We are issuing 

this AD to detect and correct cracks, 

defects, or damage of the main fitting 

and sliding tube of the NLG, which 

could result in failure of the main fitting 

or sliding tube, and consequent NLG 

collapse. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 

30, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in the AD 

as of April 30, 2012. 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by May 29, 2012. 

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 2010–0034, 

dated March 5, 2010, corrected March 8, 

2010 (referred to after this as ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI 

states: 

During the overhaul of two different Nose 

Landing Gears (NLG), cracks were found on 

the main fitting of one and the sliding tube 

of the other. Investigations concluded that 

the cracks initiated as a result of residual 

stress in the parts following damage due to 

impact during towing incidents. 

A subsequent review of the reported 

incidents has led to conclude that an 

inspection of the main fitting and sliding 

tube is required on those NLG that have 

sustained impacts as result of towing 

incidents. 

The failure of the main fitting or sliding 

tube could lead to NLG collapse. 

To prevent the above unsafe condition, this 

[EASA] AD requires a one-time [detailed] 

inspection followed by repetitive inspections 

of the main fitting and sliding tube of the 

NLG serial numbers listed in the 

Applicability section of this [EASA] AD: 

—One time Magnetic Particle Inspection 

(MPI) of the affected areas to detect any 

crack, 

—Repetitive Detailed Visual Inspections 

(DVI) of the affected areas to detect any 

damage of the surface protections or 

corrosion. 

This [EASA] AD also requires the 

accomplishment of the associated corrective 

actions, as necessary. 

* * * * * 

Required corrective actions include 

removing the labels if there is evidence 

of sealant damage or moisture ingress 

behind the labels. If surface treatment 

damage is found, the required actions 

are removing the paint and cadmium 

prior to the MPI, removing any surface 

defects, flap peening and replacing 

protective coatings, and replacing 

cracked parts with serviceable parts. 

You may obtain further information by 

examining the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A330–32–3233, dated October 

22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); 

and Mandatory Service Bulletin A340– 

32–4275, dated October 22, 2009 (for 

Model A340 airplanes). 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 

products are placed on the U.S. Register 

in the future. 

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–2012–0296; 

Directorate Identifier 2010–NM–106– 

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:// 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 22189 

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); 

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. 

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: 

2012–06–19 Airbus: Amendment 39–17000. 

Docket No. FAA–2012–0296; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–106–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective April 30, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the airplanes identified 

in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, 

certificated in any category, all serial 

numbers, if fitted with the nose landing gear 

(NLG) identified in table 1 of this AD. 

(1) Airbus Model A330–201, –202, –203, 

–223, –243, –301, –302, –303, –321, –322, 

–323, –341, –342, and –343 airplanes. 

(2) Airbus Model A340–211, –212, –213, 

–311, –312, and –313 airplanes. 

TABLE 1—APPLICABLE NLG AND

SERIAL NUMBERS

Part No. Serial 

No. 

D23285200 .......................................... B2 

D23285101–7 ...................................... B58 

D23285101–10 .................................... B75 

D23581100–1 ...................................... B124 

D23581100–1 ...................................... B159 

D23581100–7 ...................................... B386 

D23581100–7 ...................................... B398 

D23581100–7 ...................................... B400 

D23581100–7 ...................................... B403 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 32: Landing Gear. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of a 

cracked main fitting and sliding tube during 

overhaul of NLGs. We are issuing this AD to 

detect and correct cracks, defects, or damage 

of the main fitting and sliding tube of the 

NLG, which could result in failure of the 

main fitting or sliding tube, and consequent 

NLG collapse. 

(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) Detailed Inspection and Corrective 

Actions 

Within 900 flight hours after the effective 

date of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of 

the NLG main fitting and sliding tube for any 

cracks, defects, and damage of the paint or 

surface protection, including paint removal 

and cracking of the surface treatment. Before 

further flight after doing the detailed 

inspection of the NLG, remove the labels, 

paint, surface protection coatings, and 

cadmium from the NLG main fitting; do a 

detailed inspection for any damage to the 

surface that will impair the magnetic particle 

inspection (MPI); and, if any defects are 

found, before further flight remove any 

defects by polishing. Do all actions specified 

in paragraph (g) of this AD in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–32– 

3233, dated October 22, 2009 (for Model 

A330 airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory 

Service Bulletin A340–32–4275, dated 

October 22, 2009 (for Model A340 airplanes). 

(h) Magnetic Particle Inspection 

Before further flight after doing the actions 

required in paragraph (g) of this AD: Do an 

MPI for cracking of the NLG main fitting and 

sliding tube, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–32–3233, 

dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 

airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A340–32–4275, dated October 22, 

2009 (for Model A340 airplanes). 

(1) If no crack is detected during the MPI 

required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before 

further flight, flap peen the inspected area 

where the paint and cadmium has been 

removed, and replace the protective coatings, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A330–32–3233, dated October 22, 

2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A340–32–4275, 

dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A340 

airplanes). 

(2) If any crack is detected during the MPI 

required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before 

further flight, replace the damaged part with 

a new or serviceable part, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–32–3233, 

dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 

airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A340–32–4275, dated October 22, 

2009 (for Model A340 airplanes). 

(i) Repetitive Inspections 

Within 900 flight hours after 

accomplishing the actions in paragraphs (g) 

and (h) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection 

of the surface treatment of the NLG main 

fitting and sliding tube for any cracks, 

defects, and damage of the paint or surface 

protection, including paint removal and 

cracking, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–32–3233, 

dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 

airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A340–32–4275, dated October 22, 

2009 (for Model A340 airplanes). 

(1) If no crack, defect, or damage is 

detected during the detailed inspection 

required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Repeat 

the inspection thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 900 flight hours. 

(2) If any crack, defect, or damage is 

detected during the detailed inspection 


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22190 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 72 / Friday, April 13, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Before 

further flight, inspect for damage to the label 

surface and around the labels for signs of 

sealant damage and moisture ingress behind 

labels; do a detailed inspection for any 

damage to the surface that will impair the 

MPI; and, if any defects are found, remove 

any defects by polishing, and do an MPI for 

cracking of the NLG main fitting and sliding 

tube. Do all actions specified in paragraph 

(i)(2) of this AD in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–32–3233, 

dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 

airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A340–32–4275, dated October 22, 

2009 (for Model A340 airplanes). 

(i) If no crack is detected during the MPI 

required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: 

Before further flight, flap peen the inspected 

area where the paint and cadmium has been 

removed, and replace the protective coatings, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A330–32–3233, dated October 22, 

2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A340–32–4275, 

dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A340 

airplanes). 

(ii) If any crack is detected during the MPI 

required by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: 

Before further flight, replace the damaged 

part with a new or serviceable part, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A330–32–3233, dated October 22, 

2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A340–32–4275, 

dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A340 

airplanes). Repeat the inspection required by 

paragraph (i) of this AD thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 900 flight hours. 

(j) 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. 

(k) Related Information 

Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 

Airworthiness Directive 2010–0034, dated 

March 5, 2010, corrected March 8, 2010, and 

the following service information, for related 

information. 

(1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A330–32–3233, dated October 22, 2009. 

(2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A340–32–4275, dated October 22, 2009. 

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) You must use the following service 

information to do the actions required by this 

AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 

Director of the Federal Register approved the 

incorporation by reference (IBR) of the 

following service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51: 

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A330–32–3233, dated October 22, 2009. 

(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A340–32–4275, dated October 22, 2009. 

(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. 

(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 March 

15, 2012. 

John P. Piccola, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7183 Filed 4–12–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1196; Airspace 

Docket No. 11–ASO–38] 

Amendment of Class E Airspace; 

Columbia, SC, and Establishment of 

Class E Airspace; Pelion, SC 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This action amends Class E 

Airspace at Columbia, SC, by removing 

Corporate Airport from the airspace 

designation, and establishes Class E 

Airspace at Pelion, SC, using the new 

airport name, as new Standard 

Instrument Approach Procedures have 

been developed at Lexington County 

Airport at Pelion. This action enhances 

the safety and airspace management of 

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations 

within the National Airspace System. 

This action also updates the geographic 

coordinates of the airport. 

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 31, 

2012. The Director of the Federal 

Register approves this incorporation by 

reference action under title 1, Code of 

Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to 

the annual revision of FAA Order 

7400.9 and publication of conforming 

amendments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John 

Fornito, Operations Support Group, 

Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation 

Administration, P.O. Box 20636, 

Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone (404) 

305–6364. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History 

On December 14, 2011, the FAA 

published in the Federal Register a 

notice of proposed rulemaking to amend 

Class E airspace at Columbia, SC, and 

establish Class E airspace at Pelion, SC, 

Docket No. FAA–2011–1196 (76 FR 

77727). Interested parties were invited 

to participate in this rulemaking effort 

by submitting written comments on the 

proposal to the FAA. No comments 

were received. Class E airspace 

designations are published in paragraph 

6005 of FAA Order 7400.9V dated 

August 9, 2011, and effective September 

15, 2011, which is incorporated by 

reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class 

E airspace designations listed in this 

document will be published 

subsequently in the Order. 

The Rule 

This amendment to Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 

amends Class E airspace extending 

upward from 700 feet above the surface 

at Columbia, SC, by removing Corporate 

Airport from the airspace designation 

and establishes Class E airspace at 

Pelion, SC, to support new Standard 

Instrument Approach Procedures at 

Lexington County Airport at Pelion, 

Pelion, SC, formerly Corporate Airport. 

Airspace reconfiguration is necessary 

due to the design of new arrival 

procedures, and for continued safety 


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