AD 2008-18-03

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:

During manufacturing of A330/A340 aircraft framework, cracks have been found on Frame (FR) 12, left (LH) and right (RH) sides. It has been confirmed that a defect of the FR12 forming tool press is the root cause of the cracks.
If undetected such damage could affect, after propagation, the structural integrity of the aircraft.
* * * * * * *

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

2008-18-03 Airbus: Amendment 39-15660. Docket No. FAA-2008-0672; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-032-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 14, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, and A340-300 series airplanes; certificated in any category; all certified models, all manufacturing serial numbers (MSN) from MSN 0489 through 0722 inclusive, and MSN 0725, 0726, 0728, 0730, 0732, and 0734.

Subject

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

Reason

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

During manufacturing of A330/A340 aircraft framework, cracks have been found on Frame (FR) 12, left (LH) and right (RH) sides. It has been confirmed that a defect of the FR12 forming tool press is the root cause of the cracks.
If undetected such damage could affect, after propagation, the structuralintegrity of the aircraft.
In order to permit an early detection and repair of cracks on FR12, LH and RH sides, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates a one time High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspection of FR12.

Corrective actions include, for certain findings, contacting Airbus for repair instructions and doing the repair; repairing cracking (i.e., installing a new splice); and applying new protective coatings and corrosion inhibitors.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Prior to the accumulation of 19,500 total flight cycles or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a HFEC inspection at the LH and RH sides of frame 12, in accordance with the instructions defined in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3174 or A340-53-4177, both dated October 10, 2007, as applicable. If no cracking is found, no further action is required by this AD. Except as required by paragraph(f)(2) of this AD, if any cracking is found, before further flight, do the applicable corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3174 or A340-53-4177, as applicable.
(2) If any cracking is found that exceeds the limits specified in Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3174 or A340-53-4177, both dated October 10, 2007, as applicable; or if any cracking is found during any HFEC inspection of the cut-out area; before further flight, contact Airbus for repair instructions and do the repair.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) 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. Sendinformation 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 appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(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 approvedthe information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2007-0302, dated December 14, 2007; and Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletins A330-53-3174 and A340-53-4177, both dated October 10, 2007; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330-53-3174, including Appendix 01, dated October 10, 2007; or Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A340-53-4177, including Appendix 01, dated October 10, 2007; as applicable; 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, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2008 (73 FR 35595). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

During manufacturing of A330/A340 aircraft framework, cracks have been found on Frame (FR) 12, left (LH) and right (RH) sides. It has been confirmed that a defect of the FR12 forming tool press is the root cause of the cracks.
If undetected such damage could affect, after propagation, the structural integrity of the aircraft.
In order to permit an early detection and repair of cracks on FR12, LH and RH sides, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates a one time High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspection of FR12.

Corrective actions include, for certain findings, contacting Airbus for repair instructions and doing the repair; repairing cracking (i.e., installing a new splice); and applying new protective coatings and corrosion inhibitors. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This 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 alsohave required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect about 20 products 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 $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $4,800, or $240 per product.

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.

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 the NPRM, 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.

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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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