Document ID: FAA-2012-0296-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Airbus Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-04-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22188-22190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7183]

[[Page 22188]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0296; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-106-AD; 
Amendment 39-17000; AD 2012-06-19]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, 
-322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 
series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the main 
fitting and sliding tube of the nose landing gear (NLG) for defects, 
damage, and cracks, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was 
prompted by reports of a cracked main fitting and sliding tube during 
overhaul of NLGs. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks, 
defects, or damage of the main fitting and sliding tube of the NLG, 
which could result in failure of the main fitting or sliding tube, and 
consequent NLG collapse.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 30, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of April 30, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 29, 2012.

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 W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2010-0034, dated March 5, 2010, corrected March 
8, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    During the overhaul of two different Nose Landing Gears (NLG), 
cracks were found on the main fitting of one and the sliding tube of 
the other. Investigations concluded that the cracks initiated as a 
result of residual stress in the parts following damage due to 
impact during towing incidents.
    A subsequent review of the reported incidents has led to 
conclude that an inspection of the main fitting and sliding tube is 
required on those NLG that have sustained impacts as result of 
towing incidents.
    The failure of the main fitting or sliding tube could lead to 
NLG collapse.
    To prevent the above unsafe condition, this [EASA] AD requires a 
one-time [detailed] inspection followed by repetitive inspections of 
the main fitting and sliding tube of the NLG serial numbers listed 
in the Applicability section of this [EASA] AD:

--One time Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) of the affected areas 
to detect any crack,
--Repetitive Detailed Visual Inspections (DVI) of the affected areas 
to detect any damage of the surface protections or corrosion.

    This [EASA] AD also requires the accomplishment of the 
associated corrective actions, as necessary.
* * * * *
Required corrective actions include removing the labels if there is 
evidence of sealant damage or moisture ingress behind the labels. If 
surface treatment damage is found, the required actions are removing 
the paint and cadmium prior to the MPI, removing any surface defects, 
flap peening and replacing protective coatings, and replacing cracked 
parts with serviceable parts. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3233, dated 
October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); and Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A340 
airplanes). The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0296; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NM-106-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://

[[Page 22189]]

www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 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 this AD:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2012-06-19 Airbus: Amendment 39-17000. Docket No. FAA-2012-0296; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-106-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 30, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category, all serial 
numbers, if fitted with the nose landing gear (NLG) identified in 
table 1 of this AD.
    (1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -
303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 
airplanes.

               Table 1--Applicable NLG and Serial Numbers
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                   Part No.                            Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D23285200.....................................  B2
D23285101-7...................................  B58
D23285101-10..................................  B75
D23581100-1...................................  B124
D23581100-1...................................  B159
D23581100-7...................................  B386
D23581100-7...................................  B398
D23581100-7...................................  B400
D23581100-7...................................  B403
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of a cracked main fitting and 
sliding tube during overhaul of NLGs. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct cracks, defects, or damage of the main fitting 
and sliding tube of the NLG, which could result in failure of the 
main fitting or sliding tube, and consequent NLG collapse.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Detailed Inspection and Corrective Actions

    Within 900 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: Do 
a detailed inspection of the NLG main fitting and sliding tube for 
any cracks, defects, and damage of the paint or surface protection, 
including paint removal and cracking of the surface treatment. 
Before further flight after doing the detailed inspection of the 
NLG, remove the labels, paint, surface protection coatings, and 
cadmium from the NLG main fitting; do a detailed inspection for any 
damage to the surface that will impair the magnetic particle 
inspection (MPI); and, if any defects are found, before further 
flight remove any defects by polishing. Do all actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3233, 
dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 2009 (for 
Model A340 airplanes).

(h) Magnetic Particle Inspection

    Before further flight after doing the actions required in 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Do an MPI for cracking of the NLG main 
fitting and sliding tube, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3233, 
dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 2009 (for 
Model A340 airplanes).
    (1) If no crack is detected during the MPI required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD: Before further flight, flap peen the inspected area 
where the paint and cadmium has been removed, and replace the 
protective coatings, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3233, 
dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 2009 (for 
Model A340 airplanes).
    (2) If any crack is detected during the MPI required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the damaged 
part with a new or serviceable part, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-32-3233, dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 
2009 (for Model A340 airplanes).

(i) Repetitive Inspections

    Within 900 flight hours after accomplishing the actions in 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the 
surface treatment of the NLG main fitting and sliding tube for any 
cracks, defects, and damage of the paint or surface protection, 
including paint removal and cracking, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-32-3233, dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 
2009 (for Model A340 airplanes).
    (1) If no crack, defect, or damage is detected during the 
detailed inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Repeat the 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 900 flight hours.
    (2) If any crack, defect, or damage is detected during the 
detailed inspection

[[Page 22190]]

required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Before further flight, inspect 
for damage to the label surface and around the labels for signs of 
sealant damage and moisture ingress behind labels; do a detailed 
inspection for any damage to the surface that will impair the MPI; 
and, if any defects are found, remove any defects by polishing, and 
do an MPI for cracking of the NLG main fitting and sliding tube. Do 
all actions specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service 
Bulletin A330-32-3233, dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 
airplanes); or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated 
October 22, 2009 (for Model A340 airplanes).
    (i) If no crack is detected during the MPI required by paragraph 
(i)(2) of this AD: Before further flight, flap peen the inspected 
area where the paint and cadmium has been removed, and replace the 
protective coatings, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3233, 
dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or Airbus 
Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 2009 (for 
Model A340 airplanes).
    (ii) If any crack is detected during the MPI required by 
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the 
damaged part with a new or serviceable part, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 
A330-32-3233, dated October 22, 2009 (for Model A330 airplanes); or 
Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated October 22, 
2009 (for Model A340 airplanes). Repeat the inspection required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 900 
flight hours.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to Attn: Vladimir 
Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1138; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding 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.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2010-
0034, dated March 5, 2010, corrected March 8, 2010, and the 
following service information, for related information.
    (1) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3233, dated 
October 22, 2009.
    (2) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated 
October 22, 2009.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
    (i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-32-3233, dated 
October 22, 2009.
    (ii) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-32-4275, dated 
October 22, 2009.
    (2) For service information identified in this 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; email airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 
Internet http://www.airbus.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at 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 March 15, 2012.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7183 Filed 4-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P