[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51017-51019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-215-AD; Amendment 39-10146; AD 97-20-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A300-600, and A310 
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 A300, A300-600, and A310 series 
airplanes, that requires inspecting the bearings located in the 
mechanical control linkage of the nose landing gear (NLG) free-fall 
mechanism for discrepancies, replacing any discrepant bearings with 
stainless steel bearings, and conducting a test to ensure that the NLG 
free-fall mechanism extends properly. This amendment is prompted by a 
report indicating that, during an operational test of the NLG, the 
landing gear failed to extend. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent the bearings from seizing, which could lead to the 
loss of NLG free-fall extension capability.

DATES: Effective November 4, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 4, 1997.

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: Charles Huber, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2589; 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 A300, A300-600, 
and A310 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
April 1, 1997 (62 FR 15441). That action proposed to require inspecting 
the bearings located in the mechanical control linkage of the nose 
landing gear (NLG) free-fall mechanism for discrepancies, replacing any 
discrepant bearings with stainless steel bearings, and conducting a 
test to ensure that the NLG free-fall mechanism extends properly.
    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 127 Model A300, A300-600, and A310 airplanes 
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 14 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $552 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$176,784, or $1,392 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 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism

[[Page 51018]]

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:

97-20-08 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10146. Docket 96-NM-215-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A300, A300-600, and A310 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 
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 (d) 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 the bearings in the mechanical control linkage of the 
nose landing gear (NLG) free-fall mechanism from seizing, which 
could lead to the loss of NLG free-fall extension capability, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, conduct 
an inspection to determine whether carbon steel or stainless steel 
bearings are installed in the mechanical control linkage of the NLG 
free-fall mechanism, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A300-32-0418 (for Model A300 series airplanes), A300-32-6061 (for 
Model A300-600 series airplanes), or A310-32-2098 (for Model A310 
series airplanes), all Revision 1, all dated April 29, 1996.
    (b) If stainless steel bearings are installed, prior to further 
flight, conduct a test to ensure that the NLG free-fall mechanism 
extends properly, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
32-0418 (for Model A300 series airplanes), A300-32-6061 (for Model 
A300-600 series airplanes), or A310-32-2098 (for Model A310 series 
airplanes), all Revision 1, all dated April 29, 1996.
    (c) If carbon steel bearings are installed, prior to further 
flight, replace them with stainless steel bearings, and conduct a 
test to ensure that the NLG free-fall mechanism extends properly, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-32-0418 (for Model A300 
series airplanes), A300-32-6061 (for Model A300-600 series 
airplanes), or A310-32-2098 (for Model A310 series airplanes), all 
Revision 1, all dated April 29, 1996.
    (d) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following 
Airbus service bulletins, which contain the specified effective 
pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Service bulletin referenced and date       Page No.       Revision level shown on page     Date shown on page  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300-32-0418, Revision 1, April 29,           1-6, 10-13  1 Original...................  April 29, 1996.        
 1996.                                        7-9, 14-23                                 October 5, 1995.       
A310-31-2098, Revision 1, April 29,     1-6, 8, 9, 11-14  1 Original...................  April 29, 1996.        
 1996.                                      7, 10, 15-25                                 October 5, 1995.       
A300-32-6061, Revision 1, April 29,     1-5, 8, 9, 11-14  1 Original...................  April 29, 1996.        
 1996.                                   6, 7, 10, 15-25                                 October 5, 1995.       
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[[Page 51019]]

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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 4, 1997.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 17, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25167 Filed 9-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P