Document ID: FAA-2009-0003-0006
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 Series Airplanes, and A340-200,  -300, -500 and -600 Series Airplanes
Posted Date: 2010-03-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register: March 29, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 59)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 15353-15357]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr10-11]                         

========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================

[[Page 15353]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0003; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-251-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes, and A340-200, -300, -500 and -600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier NPRM for the products listed above. 
This action revises the earlier NPRM by expanding the scope. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as: Several cases of corrosion and damage on the 
Down Drive Shafts (DDS), between the Down Drive Gear Box (DDGB) and the 
Input Gear Box (IPGB), on all 10 Flap Tracks (5 per wing), have been 
reported by AIRBUS Long Range Operators. Investigations have revealed 
that corrosion and wear due to absence of grease in the spline 
interfaces could cause [DDS] disconnection which could result in a free 
movable flap surface, potentially leading to aircraft asymmetry or even 
flap detachment.
    The unsafe condition could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to 
maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane. The proposed AD 
would require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 23, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Airbus SAS--Airworthiness Office--EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 
93 45 80, e-mail airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; Internet http://
www.airbus.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0003; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-251-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an earlier NPRM for the 
specified products, which was published in the Federal Register on 
January 13, 2009 (74 FR 1649). That earlier NPRM proposed to correct an 
unsafe condition for the products listed above.
    Since that NPRM was issued, we have determined that the actions 
specified in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of the NPRM need to be clarified in 
order for us to provide adequate notice and opportunity for public 
comment. Paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of the NPRM specifies to inspect flap 
tracks 2 and 4 and do all applicable corrective actions (replacing 
damaged parts). This supplemental NPRM would also require inspecting 
flap tracks 1, 3, and 5.

Explanation of Revised Service Information

    Airbus has issued the revised service information specified in the 
following table. We have added the applicable revised service 
information to paragraph (g) of this supplemental NPRM as the 
appropriate sources of service information for accomplishing the 
required actions.

[[Page 15354]]

                           Service Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Airbus mandatory service
         bulletin--             Revision--              Dated--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-27-3151, including                   01  March 19, 2008.
 Appendix 01.
A330-27-3152, including                   01  March 19, 2008.
 Appendices 1 and 2.
A330-27-3152, including                   02  September 23, 2008.
 Appendices 1 and 2.
A340-27-4151, including                   01  March 19, 2008.
 Appendix 01.
A340-27-4152, including                   01  March 19, 2008.
 Appendices 1 and 2.
A340-27-4152, including                   02  September 23, 2008.
 Appendices 1 and 2.
A340-27-5040, including                   01  March 19, 2008.
 Appendix 1.
A340-27-5040, including                   02  September 23, 2008.
 Appendix 01.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    No additional work is necessary for airplanes on which the actions 
specified in the service information in the following table, and 
referred to in the original NPRM as the appropriate sources of service 
information for doing the proposed actions, were done.

                                           Credit Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Airbus mandatory service bulletin--              Revision--                           Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-27-3151.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A330-27-3152.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A340-27-4151.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A340-27-4152.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A340-27-5040.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have added a new paragraph (g)(3) to this AD to include credit 
for previous accomplishment of the specified actions using the 
applicable service information listed in the Credit Service Information 
table, above.

Comments

    We have considered the following comments received on the earlier 
NPRM.

Request To Clarify Actions in the Latest Service Bulletin Revisions

    The Air Transport Association (ATA), on behalf of Northwest 
Airlines (NWA), states that the service bulletins referred to in the 
original NPRM have been revised and asks which revisions of the service 
bulletins should be used to accomplish the actions. NWA notes that the 
inspection procedures specified in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-27-3152, Revision 02, dated September 23, 2008, are more 
restrictive than those in the original issue of Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A330-27-3152, dated August 9, 2007. NWA adds that the 
original issue of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-27-3152, dated 
August 9, 2007, does not specify parts replacement for Type 1 and Type 
2 category findings during the inspection; however, Airbus Mandatory 
Service Bulletin A330-27-3152, Revision 02, specifies replacement of 
the input gear box (IPGB) within 18 months. NWA asks that the intent of 
the inspection and replacement requirements be clarified.
    We agree that some clarification is necessary, as follows. As 
stated previously, the latest revisions of Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletins A330-27-3152, Revision 02, and A340-27-4151, Revision 01, are 
cited in the supplemental NPRM for accomplishing the proposed actions. 
The changes in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-27-3152, 
Revision 02, and A340-27-4151, Revision 01, are minor and no additional 
work is necessary for airplanes on which the actions have been done 
using those revisions.
    The NPRM proposed to require replacing all damaged parts before 
further flight, regardless of the type of damage; however, the revised 
service information changed the actions for Type 2 damaged parts from 
``no replacement required'' to ``replacement within 18 months.'' This 
action is only applicable if Type 2 damaged parts are found. It is not 
necessary to replace Type 1 damaged parts.

Requests To Extend Compliance Time

    ATA, on behalf of its member NWA, also notes that the compliance 
time of 18 months for the IPGB replacement, and a compliance time of 20 
months for the initial inspection, as specified in paragraph (g)(2) of 
the original NPRM, should be extended to 24 months to align with its 
``C'' check intervals. NWA adds that the Airbus service information 
refers to General Electric (Smiths) Service Bulletin 6975-27-018, dated 
August 2007, to define Type 2 damage findings. NWA states that allowing 
a 24-month compliance period, instead of 18 months, for Type 2 damage 
findings on airplanes up to 6 years old would still require IPGB 
replacement within 8 years since the airworthiness certification date, 
which is substantially less than the 12 years specified in the Airbus 
service information and the EASA AD. In addition, NWA notes that new 
grease is applied to the splined area following the 6-year inspection, 
reducing additional wear and corrosion during the 24-month period 
before IPGB replacement.
    We disagree with the commenter's request that the compliance time 
should be extended to 24 months to align with ``C'' check intervals. In 
developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, we 
considered the urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition, 
the availability of required parts, and the practical aspect of 
accomplishing the required actions within a period of time that 
corresponds to the normal scheduled maintenance for most affected 
operators. In light of these items, we have determined that an 18-month 
compliance time for the IPGB replacement, and a 20-month compliance 
time for the inspections specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this 
supplemental NPRM, are appropriate. However, under the provisions of 
paragraph (h)(1) of the supplemental NPRM, we will consider requests to 
adjust the compliance time if sufficient data are submitted to 
substantiate that the new compliance time would provide an acceptable 
level of safety. We have made no change to the original NPRM in this 
regard.

[[Page 15355]]

    Another commenter, Elvio Marinelli, asks that the compliance time 
of ``before further flight'' for doing the corrective actions specified 
in paragraphs (f)(1)(i), (f)(1)(ii), (f)(1)(iii), (f)(1)(iv), and 
(f)(2) of the original NPRM, be changed to match the language in the 
EASA AD which requires accomplishing the corrective actions within the 
compliance time defined in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-27-
3152 and A340-27-4151. The commenter adds that the compliance time in 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-27-3152 and A340-27-4151 allows 
continued flight with a certain extent of damage to the down drive 
shafts (DDS) and the IPGB, which defers the replacement.
    We acknowledge that the original NPRM proposed to require replacing 
all damaged parts before further flight, regardless of type of damage; 
however, the revised service information changed the actions for Type 2 
damaged parts. Therefore, we have revised this supplemental NPRM to 
clarify that Type 3 damaged parts must be repaired before further 
flight and that certain Type 2 damaged parts must be repaired within 18 
months. It is not necessary to replace Type 1 damaged parts.

Request To Remove Reporting Requirement

    ATA, on behalf of its member NWA, asks that the requirement to 
report inspection findings to Airbus be removed from the original NPRM. 
NWA states that the referenced Airbus service information specifies 
that findings from each inspection be sent to Airbus. NWA asks that the 
original NPRM clearly state that this is not a requirement.
    We disagree with the commenter's request that the reporting 
requirement should be removed from this supplemental NPRM, or language 
added to state that no reporting is required. We have determined that 
reporting the inspection findings will enable the manufacturer to 
obtain better insight into the prevalence of the damage. Access to all 
findings will also help the manufacturer to develop final action to 
address the identified unsafe condition in a timely manner. We have 
made no change to the proposed AD in this regard.

Request To Include Parts Cost

    ATA, on behalf of its member NWA, asks that a parts cost of $11,000 
per airplane for the corrective action be added to the original NPRM. 
ATA states that the cost of compliance is underestimated because the 
parts cost was not included. NWA notes that industry data provided by 
Airbus indicate that 10 to 15 percent of all DDS and IPGB parts 
inspected require replacement. NWA adds that using these industry 
findings, rates and repair costs provided to NWA by the supplier are 
approximately $11,000.
    We disagree with the commenter's request that the parts cost be 
included in this supplemental NPRM. The data in the Costs of Compliance 
section (below) are limited to the cost of actions actually required by 
the supplemental NPRM. The cost analysis in AD rulemaking actions does 
not include the costs of ``on-condition'' actions (e.g., ``repair or 
replace, if necessary'') or replacement parts that are necessary when 
doing those on-condition actions. Regardless of AD direction, those 
actions would be required to correct an unsafe condition identified on 
an airplane and ensure operation of that airplane in an airworthy 
condition. Therefore, we have made no change to the supplemental NPRM 
in this regard.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    Certain changes described above expand the scope of the earlier 
NPRM. As a result, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen 
the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the public to 
comment on this proposed AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Explanation of Change to Costs of Compliance

    Since issuance of the original NPRM, we have increased the labor 
rate used in the Costs of Compliance from $80 per work hour to $85 per 
work hour. The Costs of Compliance information, below, reflects this 
increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
affects about 41 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
takes about 65 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $226,525, or $5,525 per product.

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities

[[Page 15356]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

AIRBUS: Docket No. FAA-2009-0003; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-
251-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by April 23, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, 
-243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 
series airplanes, A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, -313, series 
airplanes, and A340-541 and -642 airplanes, certificated in any 
category; all certified models, all manufacturer serial numbers.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    Several cases of corrosion and damage on the Down Drive Shafts 
(DDS), between the Down Drive Gear Box (DDGB) and the Input Gear Box 
(IPGB), on all 10 Flap Tracks (5 per wing), have been reported by 
AIRBUS Long Range Operators.
    Investigations have revealed that corrosion and wear due to 
absence of grease in the spline interfaces could cause [DDS] 
disconnection which could result in a free movable flap surface, 
potentially leading to aircraft asymmetry or even flap detachment.
    Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) 2007-0222-E mandated on 
all aircraft older than 6 years since AIRBUS original delivery date 
of the aircraft, an initial inspection of all DDS and IPGB for 
corrosion and wear detection in order to replace any damaged part.
    Revision 1 of EAD 2007-0222-E aimed for clarifying the 
compliance instructions.
    [EASA AD 2008-0026] supersedes the EAD 2007-0222R1-E and 
mandates repetitive inspections every 6 years for all the fleet.

The unsafe condition could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to 
maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane. The corrective 
actions include replacing damaged parts.

Compliance

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

Actions

    (g) Do the applicable inspections and corrective actions 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance 
with the instructions of the applicable service information 
specified in Table 1 of this AD.

                      Table 1--Service Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Use airbus          For actions
           For model--             mandatory service     specified in
                                      bulletin--          paragraph--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-200 and -300 series          A330-27-3151,       (g)(1)(i) and
 airplanes.                        Revision 01,        (g)(1)(ii) of
                                   dated March 19,     this AD.
                                   2008.
A330-200 and -300 series          A330-27-3152,       (g)(1)(iv) and
 airplanes.                        Revision 02,        (g)(2) of this
                                   dated September     AD.
                                   23, 2008.
A340-200 and -300 series          A340[dash]27[dash]  (g)(1)(i) and
 airplanes.                        4151, Revision      (g)(1)(ii) of
                                   01, dated March     this AD.
                                   19, 2008.
A340-200 and -300 series          A340-27-4152,       (g)(1)(iv) and
 airplanes.                        Revision 02,        (g)(2) of this
                                   dated September     AD.
                                   23, 2008.
A340-541 and -642 series          A340-27-5040,       (g)(2) of this AD.
 airplanes.                        Revision 02,
                                   dated September
                                   23, 2008.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1) For Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, up to and 
including manufacturer serial number (MSN) 0420, and Model A340-200 
and -300 series airplanes, up to and including MSN 0415, except MSNs 
0385 and 0395: Do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), (g)(1)(iii), and (g)(1)(iv) of this AD at the 
applicable time specified.
    (i) For airplanes on which less than 10 years have accumulated 
since the date of issuance of the original French standard 
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original 
French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness as of the 
effective date of this AD: Within 24 months after the effective date 
of this AD, perform simultaneous detailed visual inspections of the 
IPGB and of the DDS on all flap tracks on both wings for corrosion 
and wear detection and do all applicable corrective actions. For 
Type 3 damaged parts, do all applicable corrective actions before 
further flight. For Type 2 damaged IPGB parts, do all applicable 
corrective actions within 18 months after doing the inspection.
    (ii) For airplanes on which 10 or more years have accumulated 
since the date of issuance of the original French standard 
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original 
French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness as of the 
effective date of this AD: Within 4 months after the effective date 
of this AD, perform simultaneous detailed visual inspections of the 
IPGB and of the DDS on flap tracks 2 and 4 on both wings for 
corrosion and wear detection. For any Type 3 damaged parts on flap 
tracks 2 and 4, do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight. For any Type 2 damaged IPGB parts on flap tracks 2 and 4, do 
all applicable corrective actions within 18 months after doing the 
inspection required by paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (A) For wings on which Type 3 damage is found on the DDS of flap 
track 2 or 4, perform simultaneous detailed visual inspections of 
the IPGB and of the DDS on flap track 3 on both wings for corrosion 
and wear detection. For Type 3 damaged parts on flap track 3, do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight. For Type 2 
damaged IPGB parts, on flap track 3, do all applicable corrective 
actions within 18 months after doing the inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(A) of this AD.
    (1) For wings on which Type 3 damage is found on the DDS of flap 
track 3, before further flight, perform simultaneous detailed visual 
inspections of the IPGB and of the DDS on flap tracks 1 and 5 on 
both wings for corrosion and wear detection. For Type 3 damaged 
parts on flap tracks 1 and 5, do all applicable corrective actions 
before further flight. For Type 2 damaged IPGB parts on flap tracks 
1 and 5, do all applicable corrective actions within 18 months after 
doing the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(A)(1) of this 
AD.
    (2) For wings on which no Type 3 damage is found on the DDS of 
flap track 3, within 18 months after doing the inspection required 
by paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(A) of this AD,

[[Page 15357]]

perform simultaneous detailed visual inspections of the IPGB and of 
the DDS on flap tracks 1 and 5 on both wings for corrosion and wear 
detection. For any Type 3 damaged parts on flap tracks 1 and 5, do 
all applicable corrective actions before further flight. For any 
Type 2 damaged IPGB parts on flap tracks 1 and 5, do all applicable 
corrective actions within 18 months after doing the inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(A)(2) of this AD.
    (B) For wings on which no Type 3 damage is found on the DDS of 
flap track 2 and 4: Within 18 months after doing the inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, perform simultaneous 
detailed visual inspections of the IPGB and of the DDS on flap 
tracks 1, 3, and 5 on both wings for corrosion and wear detection. 
For any Type 3 damaged parts on flap tracks 1, 3, and 5, do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight. For Type 2 
damaged IPGB parts on flap tracks 1, 3, and 5, do all applicable 
corrective actions within 18 months after doing the inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (iii) Within 30 days after performing an initial inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, or within 
30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
report the initial inspection results only, whatever they are, to 
Airbus as specified in the reporting sheet of the applicable service 
information listed in Table 1 of this AD.
    (iv) Within 6 years after performing the applicable inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, and 
thereafter at intervals not exceeding 6 years: Perform simultaneous 
detailed visual inspections of the IPGB and of the DDS on all flap 
tracks on both wings for corrosion and wear detection and do all 
applicable corrective actions. For Type 3 damaged parts, do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight. For Type 2 
damaged IPGB parts, do all applicable corrective actions within 18 
months after doing the inspection.
    (2) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph 
(g)(1) of this AD: Within 6 years after issuance of the original 
French standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of 
the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness, or 
within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later; and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 6 years; 
perform simultaneous detailed visual inspections of the IPGB and of 
the DDS on all flap tracks on both wings for corrosion and wear 
detection and do all applicable corrective actions. For Type 3 
damaged parts, do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight. For Type 2 damaged IPGB parts, do all applicable corrective 
actions within 18 months after doing the inspection.
    (3) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the applicable service information specified in 
Table 2 of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding requirements of this AD.

                                       Table 2--Credit Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Airbus mandatory service bulletin--              Revision--                           Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-27-3151.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A330-27-3152.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A330-27-3152.............................  01..........................  March 19, 2008.
A340-27-4151.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A340-27-4152.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A340-27-4152.............................  01..........................  March 19, 2008.
A340-27-5040.............................  Original....................  August 9, 2007.
A340-27-5040.............................  01..........................  March 19, 2008.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: Airbus should be contacted in order to get appropriate 
information for airplanes on which the original delivery date of the 
airplane is unknown to the operator.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any 
approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your 
principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics 
inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, 
your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval 
letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (i) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2008-0026, dated 
February 12, 2008, and the service information specified in Table 1 
of this AD, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 19, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-6849 Filed 3-26-10; 8:45 am]
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