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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 28, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70778-70780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29605]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-79-AD; Amendment 39-11996; AD 2000-23-23]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires modification of the rib 1/wing center spar attachment. This 
amendment is necessary to prevent fatigue cracking at the rib 1/center 
spar angle and bottom corner fitting, which could result in reduced 
structural capability of the wing. This action is

[[Page 70779]]

intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 2, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 2, 2001.

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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; 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 certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 27, 
2000 (65 FR 58013). That action proposed to require modification of the 
rib 1/wing center spar attachment.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The following information describes the anticipated cost impact on 
U.S. operators for the required modification.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Number of                  Average
                                                  airplanes    Number of    labor rate    Cost  of       Per-
                     Model                         on U.S.     work hours    per work     required     airplane
                                                   Register                    hour        parts         cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330...........................................            5           42          $60       $9,950      $12,470
A340...........................................            0           42           60       10,099       12,619
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished the modification of this AD, and 
that no operator would accomplish these actions in the future if this 
AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been advised that the 5 
airplanes currently on the U.S. Register have been modified in 
accordance with the requirements of this AD. Therefore, until 
additional affected airplanes (unmodified) are added to the U.S. 
Register, this AD imposes no additional cost on U.S. operators.
    The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions 
represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions 
actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include 
incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close 
up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative 
actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2000-23-23  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11996. Docket 2000-NM-79-
AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; excluding those on which Airbus 
Modification 43021 has been installed.

    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 (b) 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 fatigue cracking at the rib 1/center spar angle and 
bottom corner fitting, which could result in reduced structural 
capability of the wing, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Modify the rib 1/wing center spar attachment, as specified 
by paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as applicable, of this AD.
    (1) For Model A330 series airplanes: Modify before the 
accumulation of 9,600 total flight cycles or 29,900 total flight 
hours, whichever occurs first. Do the modification in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3017, including Appendix 01, 
Revision 02, dated October 11, 1999.
    (2) For Model A340 series airplanes: Modify before the 
accumulation of 9,300 total flight cycles or 37,200 total flight 
hours, whichever occurs first. Do the modification

[[Page 70780]]

in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4022, including 
Appendices 01 and 02, dated October 8, 1999.

    Note 2: Modification prior to the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3017, dated October 
14, 1998, or Revision 01, dated April 9, 1999, is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-57-3017, including Appendix 01, Revision 02, dated 
October 11, 1999; and Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4022, 
including Appendices 01 and 02, dated October 8, 1999; as 
applicable. 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2000-073-111(B) and 2000-074-136(B), both 
dated February 23, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 2, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 14, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29605 Filed 11-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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