[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26111-26112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-93-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Airbus Model A319, A320, and 
A321 series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive 
inspections for discrepancies of the lock bolt for the pintle pin on 
the main landing gear (MLG), and follow-on corrective actions, if 
necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
detect and correct a rotated, damaged, or missing lock bolt, which 
could result in disengagement of the pintle pin from the bearing, and 
consequent collapse of the MLG during landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-93-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 
Blagnac Cedex, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-NM-93-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-93-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received two reports indicating 
that the forward pintle pin of the main landing gear (MLG) had migrated 
forward toward the wing rear spar. In both instances, the lock bolt and 
associated MLG barrel bushings securing the pintle pin were missing, 
which allowed the pintle pin to migrate forward, although further 
movement was prevented by the incrementally tapered diameter of the 
pintle pin. Initial investigations have indicated that the probable 
cause of migration of the pintle pin was due to ineffective lubrication 
of the bearing of the forward pintle pin, which caused excess load on 
the lock bolt. The DGAC further advises that backward migration of the 
pintle pin also could occur, which would allow the pintle pin to become 
disengaged and separate from the pintle pin bearing. Such discrepancies 
of the pintle pin, if not corrected, could result in collapse of the 
MLG during landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 32-17, 
Revision 01, dated November 6, 1997, which describes procedures for 
repetitive detailed visual inspections for discrepancies (rotation, 
wear, missing or broken parts) of the lock bolt for the pintle pin of 
the MLG, and follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. The corrective 
actions include replacement of a discrepant lock bolt with a new or 
serviceable part, followed by relubrication of the pintle spherical 
bearing. The DGAC classified this AOT as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 97-385-112(B), dated December 17, 1997, in 
order to assure the airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

[[Page 26112]]

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the AOT described previously.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 120 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$7,200, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 98-NM-93-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A319, A320, and A321 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 
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 detect and correct a rotated, damaged, or missing lock bolt, 
which could result in disengagement of the pintle pin from the 
bearing, and consequent collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) 
during landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect discrepancies 
(rotation, damage, and absence) of the lock bolt for the pintle pin 
on the MLG, in accordance with Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT) 32-
17, Revision 01, dated November 6, 1997, at the latest of the times 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3), of this AD. If 
any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, perform 
corrective actions, as applicable, in accordance with the AOT. 
Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 
flight cycles or 15 months, whichever occurs first.
    (1) Within 30 months since the airplane's date of manufacture or 
prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total flight cycles, whichever 
occurs first.
    (2) Within 15 months or 1,000 flight cycles after the last gear 
replacement or accomplishment of Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin 
A320-32-1119, dated June 13, 1994, whichever occurs first.
    (3) Within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their request 
through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, 
ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-385-112(B), dated December 17, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12511 Filed 5-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U