AD 2009-12-11

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. 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:

Following a refined Finite Element Model (FEM) analysis of the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) actuator fitting installed on the roof panel of the NLG box of all A340-500/-600 aircraft, it has been demonstrated that potential fatigue cracks can be initiated on the NLG actuator fitting flanges.
This situation, if not corrected, could lead to inadvertent extension of the NLG which could adversely affect the aircraft's continued safe flight or [could result in] failure to retract the NLG which, in combination with an engine failure, could adversely affect the aircraft's safe take off.

This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

Final rule; request for comments.

2009-12-11 Airbus: Amendment 39-15934. Docket No. FAA-2009-0523; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-018-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 29, 2009.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all Airbus Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

Reason

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

Following a refined Finite Element Model (FEM) analysis of the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) actuator fitting installed on the roof panel of the NLG box of all A340-500/-600 aircraft, it has been demonstrated that potential fatigue cracks can be initiated on the NLG actuator fitting flanges.
This situation, if not corrected, could lead to inadvertent extension of the NLG which could adversely affect the aircraft's continued safe flight or [could result in] failure to retract the NLG which, in combination with an engine failure, could adversely affect the aircraft's safe take off.
To prevent such event, this Airworthiness Directive requires High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspections and detailed visual inspections on the NLG Actuator fitting to detect any crack and, in case of finding, mandates the relevant corrective actions.

The corrective action includes contacting Airbus for repair instructions and doing the repair.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) At the applicable time defined in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii) of this AD: Perform an HFEC inspection on fitting flanges and a detailed visual inspection of the NLG actuator overall fitting, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-5045, dated October 6, 2008.
(i) For weight variant 00x series: Before accumulating 3,920 total flight cycles or within 90 days of the effectivedate of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(ii) For weight variant 10x series: Before accumulating 3,020 total flight cycles or within 90 days of the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) If no crack is detected during both inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not exceeding the interval defined in paragraph (f)(2)(i) or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) For weight variant 00x series: 1,320 flight cycles.
(ii) For weight variant 10x series: 2,690 flight cycles.
(3) If any crack is detected during any inspection required by this AD, before further flight, contact Airbus for repair instructions and do the repair.

FAA AD Differences

Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, FAA, 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 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.
(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, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2008-0201, dated November 13, 2008; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-5045, including Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2008; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-5045, including Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus SAS--AirworthinessOffice--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.
(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 or 425-227-1152.
(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.

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 2008-0201, dated November 13, 2008 (referred to after this as "the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Following a refined Finite Element Model (FEM) analysis of the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) actuator fitting installed on the roof panel of the NLG box of all A340-500/-600 aircraft, it has been demonstrated that potential fatigue cracks can be initiated on the NLG actuator fitting flanges.
This situation, if not corrected, could lead to inadvertent extension of the NLG which could adversely affect the aircraft's continued safe flight or [could result in] failure to retract the NLG which, in combination with an engine failure, could adversely affect the aircraft's safe take off.
To prevent such event, this Airworthiness Directive requires High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspections and detailed visual inspections on the NLG Actuator fitting to detect any crack and, in case of finding, mandates the relevant corrective actions.

Corrective actions include contacting Airbus for repair instructions and doing the repair. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Airbus has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-5045, including Appendix 01, dated October 6, 2008. 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.

Differences Between the 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 FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

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-2009-0523; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-018-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:// 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); and
3. 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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 [Amended]

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