[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36834-36835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17911]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-93-AD; Amendment 39-10644; AD 98-14-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes, 
that requires 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 amendment is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this 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: Effective August 12, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 12, 1998.

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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
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 all Airbus Model A319, A320, and 
A321 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 12, 
1998 (63 FR 26111). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    The commenters support the proposed rule.

Explanation of Changes Made to This Final Rule

    In the proposal, the FAA inadvertently omitted reference to 
Revision 1, dated June 13, 1994, of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-
1119. Therefore, the FAA has revised the final rule accordingly.

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 with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of 
the AD.

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 will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$7,200, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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 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:

98-14-11  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10644. 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

[[Page 36835]]

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 Service Bulletin A320-32-
1119, Revision 1, 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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All 
Operator Telex (AOT) 32-17, Revision 01, dated November 6, 1997. 
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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 97-385-112(B), dated December 17, 1997.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 12, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17911 Filed 7-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P