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[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 2, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21859-21861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10464]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-200-AD; Amendment 39-12208; AD 2001-09-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Model A330 series airplanes. This action 
requires repetitive inspections of the spars, rib, and stringers in the 
vertical stabilizer spar box for failure of the bonds to the skin, and 
repair, if necessary. It also requires modification of the vertical 
stabilizer spar box by installation of fasteners to reinforce the bonds 
to the skin, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This action 
is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the bonds 
of the vertical stabilizer spar box to the skin, which could lead to 
reduced structural integrity of the spar box. It is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 17, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 17, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before June 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket Number 2000-NM-200-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-200-AD in the subject line and need not be 
submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-
116, International Branch, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 certain Airbus Model A330 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that there have been findings of 
localized failure of bonding of the spars, rib, and stringers to the 
skin on several vertical stabilizer spar boxes. This failure results 
from contamination of the bonding surface during the production 
process. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of 
the bonds of the vertical stabilizer spar box to the skin, which could 
lead to reduced structural integrity of the spar box.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued two service bulletins pertinent to this unsafe 
condition. Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55A3025, Revision 01, dated 
September 15, 2000, describes procedures for initial and repetitive 
ultrasonic inspections of the spars, rib, and stringers of the vertical 
stabilizer spar box for failure of the bonds to the skin; and for 
repair of localized areas of this debonding.
    Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55A3026, dated June 23, 2000, 
describes procedures for installation of fasteners

[[Page 21860]]

to reinforce those areas which are susceptible to failure of the bond 
between the spars, rib, and stringers of the vertical stabilizer spar 
box and the skin. Accomplishment of the installation eliminates the 
need for the repetitive inspections.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in these service bulletins 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 2000-427-126(B), dated October 4, 2000, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is 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 the Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be 
registered in the United States at some time in the future, this AD is 
being issued to prevent failure of the bonds of the vertical stabilizer 
spar box to the skin, resulting in reduced structural integrity of the 
spar box. This AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule 
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; 
therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, 
the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes 
are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would take approximately 2 to 70 work hours 
per airplane, depending on its serial number, 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 is estimated 
to be between $120 and $4,200 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    In addition, it would take approximately 20 to 822 work hours per 
airplane, depending on its serial number, to accomplish the required 
terminating action at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the terminating 
action is estimated to be between $1,200 to $49,320 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-2000-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 final evaluation has 
been prepared for this action, and it 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

[[Page 21861]]

    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:

2001-09-03  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12208. Docket 2000-NM-
200-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; with serial numbers as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-55A3026, dated June 23, 2000, or A330-55A3025, Revision 01, 
dated September 15, 2000.

    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 (d) 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 failure of the bonds of the spars, the rib, and the 
stringers of the vertical stabilizer spar box to the skin, which 
could lead to reduction in the structural integrity of the spar box, 
accomplish the following:

Inspections

    (a) Within 650 flight cycles from the previous inspection 
performed prior to the effective date of this AD, in accordance with 
Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-55A3025, dated April 19, 2000, 
or 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later: Perform an ultrasonic inspection of the spars, the rib, and 
the stringers of the vertical stabilizer spar box for failure of the 
bonds to the skin, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A330-
55A3025, Revision 01, dated September 15, 2000. Repeat the 
ultrasonic inspection at intervals not to exceed 650 flight cycles 
until the accomplishment of paragraph (c) of this AD.

    Note 2: The ultrasonic inspection need not include those areas 
of the spars, the rib, and the stringers of the vertical stabilizer 
spar box which have previously been repaired or modified.

Repairs

    (b) Perform applicable repairs, as shown in Table 1, as follows:

                            Table 1.--Repairs
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   If, during any inspection required by
              paragraph (a)--                          Then--
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(1) No failure of the bonds is detected...  No repair is required.
(2) A single area of failed bonding is      No repair is required.
 detected, and it is smaller than 300 mm
 \2\.
(3) A single area of failed bonding is      Prior to further flight,
 detected, and it is at least 300 mm \2\     perform a local repair per
 but less than 2,000 mm \2\.                 Airbus Service Bulletin
                                             A330-55A3025, Revision 01,
                                             dated September 15, 2000.
(4) A single area of failed bonding is      Prior to further flight,
 detected, and it is at least 2,000 mm       perform a repair per Airbus
 \2\, or multiple areas of failed bonding    Service Bulletin A330-
 are detected at one specific component.     55A3025, Revision 01, dated
                                             September 15, 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terminating Action

    (c) Within 5 years of the date of manufacture of the airplane: 
Install fasteners to the spars, the rib, and the stringers of the 
vertical stabilizer spar box, in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-55A3026, dated June 23, 2000. Accomplishment of the 
installation terminates the repetitive inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service 
Bulletin A330-55A3025, Revision 01, dated September 15, 2000, and 
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-55A3026, dated June 23, 2000; 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 directive 2000-427-126(B), dated October 4, 2000.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 17, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 20, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10464 Filed 5-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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