[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 188 (Thursday, September 29, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56818-56821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19228]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22540; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-137-AD; 
Amendment 39-14301; AD 2005-20-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus transport category airplanes, identified above. This AD 
requires an inspection to determine if a certain lower pin (p-pin) of 
the retraction actuator of the main landing gear (MLG) is installed. If 
the affected p-pin is installed, this AD requires a one-time inspection 
of the p-pin for correct grease hole position and cracking; repetitive 
daily inspections for pin migration; and eventual replacement of all p-
pins with new p-pins. For any p-pin that is cracked or shows pin 
migration, this AD requires immediate replacement with a new p-pin. 
Replacing the p-pin with one that is correctly manufactured (i.e., that 
has the correct grease hole position) is terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report that a cracked p-
pin was found when the MLG was removed for overhaul. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent failure of the p-pin, which could result in 
degradation of the MLG structural integrity and possible hazardous 
landing.

DATES: Effective October 14, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 14, 
2005.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 28, 2005.

[[Page 56819]]


ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for service information identified in this AD.
    You may examine the contents of the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-22540; the directorate 
identifier for this docket 2004-NM-137-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-
116, International Branch, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-
2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Although this is a final rule that was not preceded by notice and 
an opportunity for public comment, we invite you to submit any relevant 
written data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Include ``Docket 
No. FAA-2005-22540; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-137-AD'' at the 
beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the 
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series 
airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes; equipped with 
main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator lower pin(s) (p-pins) 
having part number (P/N) 201275602. The DGAC advises that when the MLG 
was removed for overhaul, a p-pin, which connects the lower end of the 
retraction actuator to the main fitting, was found to be cracked. 
Investigators concluded that the crack initiated from the center grease 
hole of the p-pin, and that the center grease hole was machined in an 
incorrect position, 90 degrees from its normal position. The two end 
holes of the p-pin were also found to be machined 90 degrees from the 
original design. Failure of the p-pin could lead to an undamped 
extension of the MLG, causing high loads throughout the entire MLG and 
damage to the gear structure, the side stay assembly, and the bogie 
beam. This condition, if not corrected, could result in degradation of 
the MLG structural integrity and a possible hazardous landing.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-32A3181, dated May 
27, 2004 (for Model A330-200, and -300 series airplanes); and AOT A340-
32A4224, dated May 27, 2004 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes). The AOTs describe procedures for determining if the 
affected p-pins are installed. For all affected p-pins, including 
spares, the AOTs describe procedures for a one-time inspection to 
determine the position of the grease holes and for cracking of the p-
pin. If the position of any grease hole is not correct, the AOTs 
specify that it should be replaced within 800 flight hours. Until this 
replacement is accomplished, the AOTs give procedures for daily 
external visual checks for pin migration. If pin migration is found, or 
if any crack is found during the one-time inspection, the AOTs specify 
that the pin should be replaced before further flight. The AOTs also 
recommend that operators complete a reporting form and send it to the 
part vendor. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The 
DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness 
directive F-2004-084, dated June 23, 2004, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    The AOTs refer to Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-229, 
Revision 1, including Appendixes A and B, dated June 4, 2004, as an 
additional source of service information for inspecting the p-pins and 
for replacing them with a new pin having the same P/N or a new pin 
having a new P/N.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    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. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the p-pin, 
which could result in degradation of the MLG structural integrity and 
possible hazardous landing. This AD requires accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information described previously.

Difference Between This AD and the French Airworthiness Directive

    Although the French airworthiness directive specifies that 
operators report inspection results to the parts manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

[[Page 56820]]

Clarification of Inspection Language

    The French airworthiness directive and the AOTs specify that 
operators should do a ``visual inspection'' or ``one-time inspection'' 
to detect incorrectly manufactured p-pins. In this AD we refer to this 
inspection as a ``detailed inspection.'' Note 2 of this AD defines this 
inspection.
    The French airworthiness directive and the AOTs specify that 
operators should do an ``external visual inspection'' or ``external 
visual check'' of the p-pin for pin migration. In this AD we refer to 
this inspection as a ``general visual inspection.'' Note 3 of this AD 
defines this inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by 
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not 
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD 
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    The following table provides the estimated costs to comply with 
this AD for any affected airplane that might be imported and placed on 
the U.S. Register in the future.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                             Work    Average labor                                   Cost per
                  Action                    hours    rate per hour           Parts cost              airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection to determine P/N of p-pins....        1             $65  None........................             $65
Detailed inspection for incorrectly              1              65  None........................              65
 manufactured p-pins.
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FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register. 
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is 
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective 
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

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 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 have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-20-08 Airbus: Amendment 39-14301. Docket No. FAA-2005-22540; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-137-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 14, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, 
-243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and 
Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that a p-pin, P/N 201275602, 
which connects the lower end of the main landing gear (MLG) 
retraction actuator to the main fitting, was found to be cracked 
when the MLG was removed for overhaul. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the p-pin, which could result in degradation of 
the MLG structural integrity and possible hazardous landing.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Service Information Reference

    (f) For the purposes of this AD, the term ``AOT'' (All Operators 
Telex) means the AOT identified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of 
this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -
322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes: AOT A330-32A3181, dated 
May 27, 2004.
    (2) For Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes: AOT A340-32A4224, dated May 27, 2004.

    Note 1: The AOTs refer to Messier-Dowty Service bulletin A33/34-
32-229, Revision 1, including Appendixes A and B, dated June 4, 
2004, as an additional source of service information for inspecting 
the p-pins and for replacing them with a new pin having the same P/N 
or a new pin having a new P/N.

Inspection To Determine Part Number

    (g) Within 100 flight cycles or 3 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever

[[Page 56821]]

occurs earlier: Inspect the p-pins of the retraction actuator of the 
MLG to determine whether part number (P/N) 201275602 is installed. 
Do the inspection in accordance with the applicable AOT. A review of 
airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the P/N of the p-pin can be conclusively determined 
from that review. If a p-pin with a part number that is different 
than P/N 201275602 is installed, or if any P/N 201275602 p-pin has a 
batch number or serial number identified in Appendix A of Messier-
Dowty Service Bulletin A33/34-32-229, Revision 1, dated June 4, 
2004, no further action is required by this AD, except as provided 
by paragraph (l) of this AD.

Inspection for Cracking and Grease Hole Position

    (h) If the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD shows 
that an affected P/N 201275602 is installed, before further flight 
after determining the P/N in accordance with paragraph (g) of this 
AD: Do a detailed inspection for cracking of the p-pin and position 
of the grease holes, in accordance with the applicable AOT. If any 
incorrect grease hole position is found or if any crack is found, do 
the applicable actions in paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD at the 
times specified in those paragraphs. If all grease hole positions 
are correct and no cracking is found, no further action is required 
by this paragraph.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (i) If the inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD shows 
that a p-pin has any incorrect grease hole position, but no 
cracking: Do the actions in paragraph (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD. 
Do all actions in accordance with the applicable AOT.
    (1) Within 24 hours after the inspection required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of the p-pin for pin 
migration, in accordance with the applicable AOT. Repeat the 
inspection at intervals not to exceed 24 hours until the replacement 
required by paragraph (i)(2) or (j) of this AD is accomplished.
    (2) Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, within 800 
flight hours after doing the inspection required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD: Replace the p-pin with a new p-pin of the same P/N 
201275602 with correctly positioned grease holes, or with a new p-
pin having new P/N 201478612, in accordance with the applicable AOT.

    Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

    (j) If any inspection required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this 
AD shows a crack or pin migration, before further flight: Replace 
the p-pin with a new p-pin of the same P/N 201275602 with correctly 
positioned grease holes, or with a new p-pin having new P/N 
201478612. Do all actions in accordance with the applicable AOT.

No Reporting Required

    (k) Although the AOTs reference a reporting requirement in 
paragraph 4.3, ``Material--Tooling,'' that reporting is not required 
by this AD.

Parts Installation

    (l) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, 
on any airplane, a p-pin, P/N 201275602, unless it has been 
inspected and any applicable additional inspections corrective 
actions have been done in accordance with this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(1) The Manager, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (n) French airworthiness directive F-2004-084, dated June 23, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (o) You must use Airbus All Operators Telex A330-32A3181, dated 
May 27, 2004; or Airbus All Operators Telex A340-32A4224, dated May 
27, 2004; as applicable; to perform the actions that are required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these 
documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France, for a copy of this service information. You may review 
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 20, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19228 Filed 9-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P