AD 2016-09-11

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that cracks were found on an adjacent hole of certain frames of the center wing box (CWB). This AD requires removing fasteners, doing a rototest inspection of fastener holes, installing new fasteners, oversizing the holes and doing rototest inspections for cracks if necessary, and repairing any cracking that is found. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking on certain holes of certain frames of the CWB that could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Final rule.

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 airworthiness directive (AD):

2016-09-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-18509. Docket No. FAA-2015-4808; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-134-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD becomes effective June 13, 2016.

(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 manufacturer serial numbers, except those on which Airbus Modification (Mod) 55792 or Mod 55306 has been embodied in production, and except those on which Airbus Repair Instruction R57115092 has been embodied in service on both right-hand (RH) and left-hand (LH) sides.
(1) Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -223F, -243 -243F, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes.
(2) Airbus Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports that cracks were found on an adjacent hole of certain frames of the center wing box (CWB). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking on certain holes of the CWB, which could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Inspection

Do a rototest inspection of the fastener holes at the frame (FR) 40 vertical web, on both sides, as specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(6) of this AD, except as required by paragraph (k) of this AD.
(1) For Model A330-300 series airplanes in pre-mod 44360 configuration: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, inspect below the CWB lower panel reference, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3114, dated March 12, 2013.
(i) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3114, dated March 12, 2013.
(ii) Within 2,400 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(2) For Model A330-200 series airplanes in post-mod 44360 and pre-mod 49202 configuration: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, inspect below the CWB lower panel reference, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3116, dated March 12, 2013.
(i) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3116, dated March 12, 2013.
(ii) Within 2,400 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(3) For Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes in pre-mod 55306 and pre-mod 55792 configuration: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) and (g)(3)(ii) of this AD, inspect above the CWB lower panel reference, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3115, dated April 4, 2013.
(i) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3115, dated April 4, 2013.
(ii) Within 2,400 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(4) For Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes in pre-mod 44360 configuration: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(4)(i) and (g)(4)(ii) of this AD, inspect below the CWB lower panel reference, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4123, dated March 12, 2013.
(i) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance'' of Airbus

[[Page 27988]]

Service Bulletin A330-57-4123, dated March 12, 2013.
(ii) Within 1,300 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(5) For Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes in pre-mod 55306 and pre-mod 55792 configuration: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(5)(i) and (g)(5)(ii) of this AD, inspect above the CWB lower panel reference, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4124, Revision 01, dated August 22, 2013.
(i) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4124, Revision 01, dated August 22, 2013.
(ii) Within 1,300 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
(6) For Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes in post-mod 44360 and pre-mod 49202 configuration: At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(6)(i) and (g)(6)(ii) of this AD, inspect below the CWB lower panel reference, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4125, dated March 12, 2013.
(i) At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4125, dated March 12, 2013.
(ii) Within 1,300 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(h) Follow-on Actions: No Cracking

If no crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) Before further flight, install new fasteners in the transition fit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph(g) of this AD thereafter at the applicable time identified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Follow-on Actions for Crack Findings

If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, oversize the holes to the first oversize in comparison with the current hole diameter, and do a rototest inspection for cracks, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(1) If no cracking is found during the rototest inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (i)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Before further flight: Install new fasteners in the transition fit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(ii) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD thereafter at the applicable time identified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If cracking is found during the rototest inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA).

(j) Terminating Action Specifications

Accomplishment of the initial and repetitive inspections required by this AD terminates accomplishment of Airworthiness Limitation Items Tasks 57-11-04 and 57-11-02 of the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) Part 2, Damage Tolerant Airworthiness Limitation Items (DT ALI).
(1) Installation of new fasteners, as specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, does not terminate the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) Accomplishment of the corrective actions specified in the introductory text of paragraph (i) and paragraph (i)(1) of this AD does not terminate the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(3) Accomplishment of the repair specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD does not terminate repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD, unless the approved repair method specifies otherwise.

(k) Exceptions to Service Information

(1) If the applicable service information identified in paragraph (g) of this AD specifies contacting Airbus for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA.
(2) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the applicable service information specified in paragraph (g) of this AD specifies a compliance time in terms of a ``Threshold'' and ``Grace Period,'' this AD requires compliance at the later of the applicable threshold and grace period.
(3) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of the applicable service information specified in paragraph (g) of this AD specifies a threshold as ``before next flight,'' this AD requires compliance before the next flight after the applicable finding.

(l) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the applicable service information specified in paragraph (l)(1), (l)(2), (l)(3), (l)(4), (l)(5), (l)(6), (l)(7), (l)(8), or (l)(9) of this AD. This service information is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
(1) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11023270, Issue B, dated July 12, 2011.
(2) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11029171, Issue B, dated September 6, 2011.
(3) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11029173, Issue B, dated September 6, 2011.
(4) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11030741, Issue B, dated September 22, 2011.
(5) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11029170, Issue C, dated September 6, 2011.
(6) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11023714, Issue B, dated July 12, 2011.
(7) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11029172, Issue B, dated September 6, 2011.
(8) Airbus Technical Disposition LR57D11030740, Issue C, dated September 22, 2011.
(9) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4124, dated April 4, 2013.

(m) 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, WA 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA; or Airbus's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(n) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0149, dated June 13, 2014, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-4808.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (o)(3) and (o)(4) of this AD.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this

[[Page 27989]]

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3114, dated March 12, 2013.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3115, dated April 4, 2013.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3116, dated March 12, 2013.
(iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4123, dated March 12, 2013.
(v) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4124, Revision 01, dated August 22, 2013.
(vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4125, dated March 12, 2013.
(3) 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.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Model A330- 200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2015 (80 FR 67348) (``the NPRM''). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking on certain holes of certain frames of the CWB, which could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0149, dated June 13, 2014 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:During accomplishment of A330 Airworthiness Limitation Item (ALI) task 57-11-04 on the rear fitting of the Frame (FR) 40 between stringers 38 and 39 on both [left-hand] LH/[right-hand] RH sides, cracks were found on an adjacent hole. After reaming at second oversize of the subject hole, the crack was still present.
Other crack findings on this adjacent hole have been reported on A330 and A340-200/300 aeroplanes as a result of sampling inspections.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the structural integrity of the aeroplane.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires removal of the fasteners and repetitive rototest inspections of fastener holes at FR40 vertical web located above Center Wing Box (CWB) lower panel reference and/or below CWB lower panel reference on both sides and, depending on findings, accomplishment of the applicable corrective actions.
Note: These holes affected by this [EASA] AD are different from the ones affectedby EASA AD 2009-0001 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2009_0001.pdf/AD_2009-0001_1].

Required actions also include oversizing certain holes, installing new fasteners, and repairing any cracking that is found. The initial compliance times range from 13,500 to 30,900 flight cycles, or 57,000 to 162,000 flight hours, depending on airplane operation and utilization. The repetitive compliance times are 7,400 flight cycles/ 24,300 flight hours or 5,950 flight cycles/40,400 flight hours from ALI embodiment. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-4808.

Change Made to the Format of Paragraph (g) of This AD

At the request of the Office of the Federal Register, we have revised the format of paragraph (g) of this AD by converting the table to text. This change to the format does not affect the requirements of that paragraph.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comment received. The commenter, Bowen Gass, supported the NPRM.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Airbus has issued the following service information. The service information describes procedures for removing the fasteners and doing a repetitive rototest inspection of fastener holes at FR40 vertical web on both sides, installing new fasteners in transition fit, and oversizing the holes.
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3114, dated March 12, 2013.
Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3115, dated April 4, 2013.

[[Page 27987]]

Airbus Service Bulletin A330-57-3116, dated March 12, 2013.
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4123, dated March 12, 2013.
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4124, Revision 01, dated August 22, 2013.
Airbus Service Bulletin A340-57-4125, dated March 12, 2013.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 35 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 78 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $232,050, per inspection cycle, or $6,630 per product, per inspection cycle.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will take about 98 work-hours and require parts costing $136,400, for a cost of up to $144,730 per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this action.

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 that 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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