Airworthiness directives: Airbus,
[Federal Register: October 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 198)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 55061-55063]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14oc98-22]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-125-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of comment period.
SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, that would have required repetitive inspections and tests to detect missing or damaged vespel bushes on the slat system universal joint assemblies of the left-and right-hand wings; and replacement of the universal joints with new joints, if necessary. That proposal was prompted by a report of loose and migrated vespel bushes and partial cracking within unsupported bush areas found on the slat system universal joint assemblies. This new action revises the proposed rule by adding an optional terminating modification for the repetitive inspection and test requirements, and by expanding the applicability to include additional airplanes. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent rupture of the universal joints, which could result in inadvertent movement of the slats, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-125-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.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed 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 above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 filedin the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 93-NM-125-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-125-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, was published as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on November 12, 1993 (58 FR 59965). That NPRM would have required repetitive inspections and tests to detect missing or damaged vespel bushes on the slat system universal joint assemblies of the left-and right-hand wings; and replacement of the universal joints with new joints, if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by a report of loose and migrated vespel bushes and partial cracking within unsupported bush areas found on the slat system universal joint assemblies. That condition, if not corrected, could result in rupture of the universal joints, inadvertent movement of the slats, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
New Service Information
Since the issuance of the NPRM, the manufacturer has issued Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-2061, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997. This service bulletin is essentially identical to the original issue of the service bulletin, and contains only minor administrative changes.
The manufacturer also has issued Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27- 2060, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997, which describes procedures for modification of the slat system universal joint assemblies by replacement of the vespel SP 21 bushes and pins on the slat system universal joint and shaft assemblies of the left-and right-hand wings with new bushes and pins. Accomplishment of this modification eliminates the need for the repetitive
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inspections and tests described in Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27- 2061, dated November 4, 1992, and Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
The Direction Gonorale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, classified Airbus Service Bulletin A320-27-2061, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997, as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B)R1, dated December 17, 1997, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Explanation of Correction Made to NPRM
In the applicability of the original NPRM, the FAA inadvertently listed all Airbus Model A310-222 and -324 series airplanes, as listed in French airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B), dated December 23, 1992 (which was referenced in the original NPRM). The FAA has revised the applicability of this supplemental NPRM to match the revised French airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B)R1, dated December 17, 1997, to read ``Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, except those on which Airbus Modification 10092 (Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2060, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997) has been accomplished.''
FAA's Conclusions
Since these changes expand the scope of the originally proposed rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.
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 Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the supplemental NPRM has been revised to add an optional modification, which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspection and test requirements.
Cost Impact
The FAA has recently reviewed the figures it has used over the past several years in calculating the economic impact of AD activity. In order to account for various inflationary costs in the airline industry, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $55 per work hour to $60 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, has been revised to reflect this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.
The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection and test, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection and test proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $49,200 or $1,200 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
The number of required work hours, as indicated above, is presented as if the accomplishment of the actions proposed in this AD were to be conducted as ``stand alone'' actions. However, in actual practice, these actions for the most part would be accomplished coincidentally or in combination with normally scheduled airplane inspections and other maintenance program tasks. Therefore, the actual number of necessary ``additional'' work hours would be minimal in many instances. Additionally, any costs associated with special airplane scheduling would be expected to be minimal.
Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating modification that would be provided by this AD action, it would take approximately 11 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the optional terminating modification would be $660 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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 accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action 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, 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
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
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Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 93-NM-125-AD.
Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes, except those on which Airbus Modification 10092 (Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27- 2060, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997) has been accomplished; 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
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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 rupture of the universal joints, which could result in inadvertent movement of the slats, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total landings, or within 400 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a visual inspection and an electrical continuity test to detect missing or damaged vespel bushes on the slat system universal joint assemblies of the left- and right-hand wings, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2061, dated November 4, 1992, or Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997. Repeat this inspection and test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15,000 landings.
(b) If any vespel bushes are missing or damaged, prior to further flight, replace the universal joint with a new joint in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A310-27-2061, dated November 4, 1992, or Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997. After replacement, continue to repeat the inspection and test required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 15,000 landings.
(c) Modification of the slat system universal joint and shaft assemblies in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-27-2060, Revision 01, dated October 3, 1997, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection and test requirements of this AD.
(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, 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, International Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 92-275-139(B)R1, dated December 17, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 6, 1998. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27458Filed10-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
