Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0094, dated April 15, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -301, -302, and -303 airplanes. The MCAI states:
During a scheduled replacement of a CF6-80E1 engine #1 on an A330 aeroplane, one bolt on the aft engine mount upper beam was found totally broken. That bolt is one of the four bolts that attach the upper beam to the pylon.
The subsequent analyses of the broken bolt and the upper beam identified the following:
--a fatigue origin area with crack propagation from the boundary of the bolt, --a spiral groove with cold work and microstructural distortion underlying that extended axially along the shank, and --a score mark on counter-bore edge of the upper beam.
The preliminary root-cause investigation shows that an unusual contact with the counter-bore edge of the beam induced a significant groove on the bolt during its installation in production. It is suspected that this groove led to a fatigue crack initiation and subsequent quick propagation leading to the complete fracture of the bolt.
As the root-cause is still under investigation, including the installation sequence specific to this aeroplane--engine model, the other A330 propulsion systems are not affected.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead, in conjunction with a second fractured bolt, to the loss of engine mount structural integrity and potential engine detachment in flight as the remaining bolts would not be able to sustain the residual fatigue and limit loads.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one- time ultrasonic inspection of the four aft mount-pylon bolts of both engines for detection of completely sheared [fractured] bolts through the bolt section and, depending on finding, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions [repair].
This [EASA] AD is considered as an interim action, pending the results of the ongoing investigations, and further AD action may follow.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0079.
Related Service Information
Airbus has issued Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A71L002-13, dated April 8, 2013. The service information describes procedures to perform a one-time ultrasonic inspection for fractures of all aft mount-pylon bolts of each engine. 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 UnitedStates. 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.
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-2015-0079; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-091-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 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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 0 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $255 per product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the on-condition action specified in this AD. We have no way of determining thenumber of aircraft that might need this action.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120- 0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the collection of information.
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Therefore, all reporting associated with this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
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.