[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24690-24691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12146]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-198-AD; Amendment 39-9625; AD 96-10-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and 
-231 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 
series airplanes, that requires removing the existing forward pintle 
nut and cross bolt on the main landing gear (MLG), and installing a new 
nylon spacer and cross bolt and nut. This amendment is prompted by 
results of fatigue testing which revealed that the cross bolt and nut 
in the forward pintle pin of the MLG were damaged due to fatigue 
cracking. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such 
fatigue cracking, which could result in collapse of the MLG.

DATES: Effective June 20, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 20, 1996.

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: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 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 certain Airbus Model A320 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 6, 1996 (61 FR 
8896). That action proposed to require removing the existing forward 
pintle nut and cross bolt on the MLG; and installing a new nylon spacer 
and cross bolt and nut.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposed rule.

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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 90 Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -
231 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that 
it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will be supplied by the parts manufacturer at no cost to 
the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,400, or $60 per airplane.
    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

[[Page 24691]]

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

96-10-18 Airbus: Amendment 39-9625. Docket 95-NM-198-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 series 
airplanes, on which Airbus Modification 23573 (Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-32-1119, Revision 1, dated June 13, 1994), has not 
been installed; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 prevent collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) during 
landing, due to failure of the forward pintle pin cross bolt, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the existing forward pintle nut and cross bolt; and 
install a new nylon spacer and post-mod cross bolt and nut of the 
MLG, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1119, 
Revision 1, dated June 13, 1994, at the later of the times specified 
in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total landings, or at 
the next main landing gear overhaul, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within 500 landings after the effective date of this AD.

    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletin references Dowty Aerospace 
Service Bulletin 200-32-194, Revision 1, dated October 4, 1993, as 
an additional source of service information for accomplishment of 
these procedures.

    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (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 removal and installation shall be done in accordance 
with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1119, Revision 1, dated June 
13, 1994. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 20, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12146 Filed 5-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U