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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 250 (Thursday, December 29, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 81884-81885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33341]

[[Page 81884]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1327; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-091-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes; Model A330-
200 and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found 
on the main fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG) leg in the vicinity 
of the dowel pin bushes retaining the lower steering flange. This 
proposed AD would require modifying the NLG main fitting by adding 
primer paint to the cadmium around the dowel bush holes. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent NLG main fitting rupture, which could 
result in an NLG collapse.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 13, 
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.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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. You may review copies of the referenced 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.

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 proposed 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; phone: (425) 227-
1138; fax: (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1327; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-091-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on 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 proposed AD.

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 2011-0032, dated March 1, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Corrosion has been found on the main fitting of the NLG leg in 
the vicinity of the dowel pin bushes retaining the lower steering 
flange on A330/A340 aeroplanes. The majority of parts have been 
reworked and returned to service.
    This corrosion, if not avoided, could lead to the NLG main 
fitting rupture, possibly resulting in a NLG collapse, which would 
constitute an unsafe condition.
    In order to maintain the structural integrity of the NLG, this 
[EASA] AD requires the accomplishment of a modification which 
consists in adding primer paint to the cadmium around the dowel bush 
holes on the main fitting, in order to provide further protection 
against cadmium degradation.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-32-3241, dated 
November 26, 2010; and A340-32-4282, dated November 26, 2010. 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 Proposed 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 proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 55 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 66 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $10,000 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 the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $858,550, or $15,610 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 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

[[Page 81885]]

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
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); 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 proposed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2011-1327; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-
091-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 13, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-223F, -243F, -201, -202, -
203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and 
-343 airplanes; and Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial 
numbers, except airplanes on which Airbus modification 200616 has 
been embodied in production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found on the main 
fitting of the nose landing gear (NLG) leg in the vicinity of the 
dowel pin bushes retaining the lower steering flange. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent NLG main fitting rupture, which could result in 
an 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) Actions

    At the later of the times specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), 
or (g)(3) of this AD, as applicable, modify the NLG main fitting by 
adding primer paint to the cadmium around the dowel bush holes, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A330-32-3241, dated November 26, 2010 (for Model 
A330-200 and -300 airplanes); or A340-32-4282, dated November 26, 
2010 (for Model A340-200 and -300 airplanes).
    (1) Within 60 months since first flight of the NLG on any 
airplane.
    (2) Within 60 months since first flight of the NLG on any 
airplane after the most recent overhaul of the NLG.
    (3) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

(h) 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; phone: (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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2011-0032, dated March 1, 2011; Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3241, dated November 26, 2010; 
and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4282, dated November 
26, 2010; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 16, 2011.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33341 Filed 12-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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