Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 24367 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1225; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–269–AD; Amendment 

39–17019; AD 2012–08–03] 

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 A300 B4–2C, B4–103, and 

B4–203 airplanes; Model A300 B4–600, 

B4–600R, and F4–600R series airplanes, 

and Model C4–605R Variant F airplanes 

(collectively called A300–600 series 

airplanes); and Model A310 series 

airplanes. This AD was prompted by 

reports of cracking in the forward lug 

wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the 

main landing gear (MLG). This AD 

requires installing new bushes with 

increased interference fit in the forward 

lug wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the 

MLG on the right-hand (RH) and lefthand (LH) wing. We are issuing this AD 

to prevent cracking of the forward lug 

wing of the aft bearing at rib 5 of the 

MLG, which could adversely affect the 

structural integrity of the MLG 

attachment, and could result in the 

collapse of the MLG. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 

29, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of May 29, 2012. 

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: Dan 

Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–2125; 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 November 8, 2011 (76 FR 

69168). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

During a routine visual inspection on two 

A310 in-service aeroplanes, cracks were 

found in the wing MLG rib 5 aft bearing 

forward lug. Laboratory examination of the 

cracked ribs confirmed that the cracks were 

the result of pitting corrosion in the forward 

lug hole. Also on both aeroplanes, medium 

to heavy corrosion was found in the forward 

lugs on the opposite wing after removal of 

the bushes. Similarly to A310 aeroplanes, 

although there have been no reports of crack 

findings on any A300, A300–600 or A300– 

600ST aeroplanes, the differences in MLG rib 

5 design compared to A310 aeroplanes does 

not allow the exclusion of the possibility of 

cracks. This situation, if not corrected, could 

affect the structural integrity of the MLG 

attachment [which could result in the 

collapse of the MLG]. 

In order to ensure the detection of any 

crack at an early stage in the forward lug of 

the RH and LH MLG rib 5 aft bearing forward 

lug, Airbus developed inspection programs 

which were rendered mandatory, initially by 

EASA AD 2006–0372–E [which corresponds 

with FAA AD 2007–03–18, Amendment 39– 

14929 (72 FR 5919, February 8, 2007)] and 

now by [EASA] AD 2010–0250 applicable to 

A300B4/C4/F4 and A300–600 aeroplanes and 

[EASA] AD 2007–0195 [which corresponds 

with FAA AD 2008–17–02, Amendment 39– 

15640 (73 FR 47032, August 13, 2008)] 

applicable to A310 aeroplanes. 

More recently, it has been determined that 

the installation of new bushes with increased 

interference fit adequately corrects the unsafe 

condition and ensures the structural integrity 

of the MLG attachment. Installation of these 

bushes constitutes terminating action for the 

repetitive inspection requirements of the 

existing EASA AD 2010–0250 for A300B4/ 

C4/F4 and A300–600 aeroplanes, and [EASA] 

AD 2007–0195 for A310 aeroplanes. 

For the reasons described above, this new 

[EASA] AD requires installation of bushes 

with increased interference fit in the gear rib 

5 aft bearing forward lug. 

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 

considered the comment received. 

FedEx commented on the NPRM (76 FR 

69168, November 8, 2011), and noted 

the compliance thresholds fit within 

their scheduled maintenance checks. 

Paragraph Reference Clarification 

We revised paragraphs (h) and (i) of 

this AD to refer to paragraph (g) of this 

AD for the installation. We had 

inadvertently referred to paragraph (h) 

of the NPRM (76 FR 69168, November 

8, 2011) for the installation. 

Revised Service Information 

Since we issued the NPRM (76 FR 

69168, November 8, 2011), we have 

reviewed the following new service 

information: 

• Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–57–0249, Revision 03, dated 

January 18, 2012 (for Model A300 B4– 

2C, B4–103, and B4–203 airplanes). 

• Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–57–6106, Revision 03, dated 

January 26, 2012 (for Model A300–600 

series airplanes). 

• Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A310–57–2090, Revision 03, dated 

January 23, 2012 (for Airbus Model 

A310 series airplanes). 

We have revised paragraph (g) of this 

AD to refer to the revised service 

information, revised paragraph (j) of this 

AD to give credit for earlier revisions of 

the service bulletin, and re-identified 

subsequent paragraphs accordingly. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comment received, 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 minor changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 

69168, November 8, 2011) for correcting 

the unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 69168, 

November 8, 2011). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

215 products of U.S. registry. We also 

estimate that it will take about 38 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 $4,590 

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 

$1,681,300, or $7,820 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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24368 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / 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 this regulation: 

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 (76 FR 69168, 

November 8, 2011), 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: 

2012–08–03 Airbus: Amendment 39–17019. 

Docket No. FAA–2011–1225; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–269–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective May 29, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD affects AD 2007–03–18, 

Amendment 39–14929 (72 FR 5919, February 

8, 2007); and AD 2008–17–02, Amendment 

39–15640 (73 FR 47032, August 13, 2008). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to airplanes, certified in 

any category, as specified in paragraphs 

(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD. 

(1) Airbus Model A300 B4–2C, B4–103, 

and B4–203 airplanes; all serial numbers; 

except airplanes where the main landing gear 

(MLG) rib 5 forward lugs of the left-hand 

(LH) and right-hand (RH) wings have been 

repaired by installation of oversized 

interference fit bushes specified in Airbus 

Repair Instruction R57240221, or those 

where the LH and RH wings have had Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A300–57–0249 

embodied in service. 

(2) Airbus Model A300 B4–601, B4–603, 

B4–620, and B4–622 airplanes; Airbus Model 

A300 B4–605R and B4–622R airplanes; 

Airbus Model A300 F4–605R and F4–622R 

airplanes; and Airbus Model A300 C4–605R 

Variant F airplanes; all serial numbers; 

except airplanes where the MLG rib 5 

forward lugs of the LH and RH wing have 

been repaired by installation of oversized 

interference fit bushes specified in Airbus 

Repair Instruction R57240221, or those 

where the LH and RH wing have had Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–57–6106 embodied in 

service. 

(3) Airbus Model A310–203, –204, –221, 

–222, –304, –322, –324, and –325 airplanes; 

all serial numbers; except airplanes where 

the MLG rib 5 forward lugs of the LH and RH 

wing have been repaired by installation of 

oversized interference fit bushes specified in 

Airbus Repair Instruction R57249121, or 

those where the LH and RH wing have had 

Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A310–57– 

2090 embodied in service. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 57: Wings. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

cracking in the forward lug wing of the aft 

bearing at rib 5 of the main landing gear 

(MLG). We are issuing this AD to prevent 

cracking of the forward lug wing of the aft 

bearing at rib 5 of the MLG, which could 

adversely affect the structural integrity of the 

MLG attachment, and could result in the 

collapse of the MLG. 

(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) Installation 

Within 30 months after the effective date 

of this AD, install new bushes with increased 

interference fit in the gear rib 5 aft bearing 

forward lug on the RH and LH wing, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of the applicable service bulletin 

specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) 

of this AD; except as specified in paragraph 

(h) of this AD. 

(1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–57–0249, Revision 03, dated January 

18, 2012 (for Model A300 B4–2C, B4–103, 

and B4–203 airplanes). 

(2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–57–6106, Revision 03, dated January 

26, 2012 (for Model A300–600 series 

airplanes). 

(3) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A310–57–2090, Revision 03, dated January 

23, 2012 (for Model A310 series airplanes). 

(h) Exception 

If one wing had rib 5 forward lugs of the 

MLG repaired by installing oversized 

interference fit bushes as specified in Airbus 

Repair Instruction R57240221 or Airbus 

Repair Instruction R57249121, as applicable 

to the airplane model, then installing new 

bushes with increased interference fit in the 

aft bearing forward lug of the gear rib, as 

specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, is 

required for the opposite wing only. 

(i) Terminating Action for Certain 

Inspections 

Installation of new bushes, as specified in 

paragraph (g) of this AD, is terminating 

action for the repetitive inspections required 

by AD 2007–03–18, Amendment 39–14929 

(72 FR 5919, February 8, 2007); and AD 

2008–17–02, Amendment 39–15640 (73 FR 

47032, dated August 13, 2008). 

(j) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for actions 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those 

actions were performed before the effective 

date of this AD using an applicable service 

bulletin specified in paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or 

(j)(3) of this AD. 

(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–57–0249, 

dated May 22, 2007; Airbus Service Bulletin 

A300–57–0249, Revision 01, dated December 

19, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service 

Bulletin A300–57–0249, Revision 02, dated 

June 18, 2010 (for Model A300 B4–2C, B4– 

103, and B4–203 airplanes). 

(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A300–57–6106, 

May 22, 2007; Airbus Service Bulletin A300– 

57–6106, Revision 01, January 28, 2008; or 

Airbus Service Bulletin A300–57–6106, 

Revision 02, dated June 18, 2010 (for Model 

A300–600 series airplanes). 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 24369 

(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A310–57–2090, 

dated May 22, 2007; Airbus Service Bulletin 

A310–57–2090, Revision 01, dated December 

19, 2007; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310– 

57–2090, Revision 02, dated June 18, 2010 

(for Model A310 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, 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: 

Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 227–2125; fax (425) 

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

ANM-16-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 

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety 

Agency Airworthiness Directive 2010–0251, 

dated November 29, 2010, and the service 

information specified in paragraphs (l)(1) 

through (l)(3) this AD, for related 

information. 

(1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–57–0249, Revision 03, dated January 

18, 2012. 

(2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–57–6106, Revision 03, dated January 

26, 2012. 

(3) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A310–57–2090, Revision 03, dated January 

23, 2012. 

(m) 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 

A300–57–0249, Revision 03, dated January 

18, 2012. 

(ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A300–57–6106, Revision 03, dated January 

26, 2012. 

(iii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A310–57–2090, Revision 03, dated January 

23, 2012. 

(2) For Airbus service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS— 

EAW (Airworthiness Office), 1 Rond Point 

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 

France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 

5 61 93 44 51; email account.airwortheas@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 an NARA facility, 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 April 5, 

2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–9185 Filed 4–23–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 97 

[Docket No. 30837; Amdt. No. 3474] 

Standard Instrument Approach 

Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums 

and Obstacle Departure Procedures; 

Miscellaneous Amendments 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This rule establishes, amends, 

suspends, or revokes Standard 

Instrument Approach Procedures 

(SIAPs) and associated Takeoff 

Minimums and Obstacle Departure 

Procedures for operations at certain 

airports. These regulatory actions are 

needed because of the adoption of new 

or revised criteria, or because of changes 

occurring in the National Airspace 

System, such as the commissioning of 

new navigational facilities, adding new 

obstacles, or changing air traffic 

requirements. These changes are 

designed to provide safe and efficient 

use of the navigable airspace and to 

promote safe flight operations under 

instrument flight rules at the affected 

airports. 

DATES: This rule is effective April 24, 

2012. The compliance date for each 

SIAP, associated Takeoff Minimums, 

and ODP is specified in the amendatory 

provisions. 

The incorporation by reference of 

certain publications listed in the 

regulations is approved by the Director 

of the Federal Register as of April 24, 

2012. 

ADDRESSES: Availability of matters 

incorporated by reference in the 

amendment is as follows: 

For Examination— 

1. FAA Rules Docket, FAA 

Headquarters Building, 800 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20591; 

2. The FAA Regional Office of the 

region in which the affected airport is 

located; 

3. The National Flight Procedures 

Office, 6500 South MacArthur Blvd., 

Oklahoma City, OK 73169 or 

4. 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. 

Availability—All SIAPs and Takeoff 

Minimums and ODPs are available 

online free of charge. Visit http:// 

www.nfdc.faa.gov to register. 

Additionally, individual SIAP and 

Takeoff Minimums and ODP copies may 

be obtained from: 

1. FAA Public Inquiry Center (APA– 

200), FAA Headquarters Building, 800 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20591; or 

2. The FAA Regional Office of the 

region in which the affected airport is 

located. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Richard A. Dunham III, Flight Procedure 

Standards Branch (AFS–420), Flight 

Technologies and Programs Divisions, 

Flight Standards Service, Federal 

Aviation Administration, Mike 

Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500 

South MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, 

OK 73169 (Mail Address: P.O. Box 

25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125) 

Telephone: (405) 954–4164. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule 

amends Title 14 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations, Part 97 (14 CFR part 97), by 

establishing, amending, suspending, or 

revoking SIAPs, Takeoff Minimums 

and/or ODPs. The complete regulators 

description of each SIAP and its 

associated Takeoff Minimums or ODP 

for an identified airport is listed on FAA 

form documents which are incorporated 

by reference in this amendment under 5 

U.S.C. 552(a), 1 CFR part 51, and 14 

CFR part 97.20. The applicable FAA 

Forms are FAA Forms 8260–3, 8260–4, 

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