AD 95-22-10

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AD Number:
95-22-10
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
95-NM-195-AD
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes
Subject:
Main Landing Gear Pintle Pins
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
11/20/1995
Make:
Airbus
Model:
A320-111 | A320-211 | A320-212 | A320-214 | A320-231 | A320-232 | A320-233
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39 [60 FR 55784 NO. 213 11/3/95]
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 95-22-10
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   95-NM-195-AD

AMENDMENT:   39-9418

AD NUMBER:   95-22-10

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

ACTION:   Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:   This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes. This action requires replacement of the rear pintle pin of both main landing gears (MLG) with an improved pintle pin assembly. This amendment is prompted by the results of fatigue testing, which demonstrated that fatigue cracking can occur in the heads of these pintle pins. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the initiation and propagation of such fatigue cracking, which could lead to the failure of the pintle pins and consequent collapse of the MLG.

DATES:   Effective November 20, 1995. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of November 20, 1995. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before January 2, 1996.

ADDRESSES:   Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-195-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:   Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2797; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  
The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during full-scale fatigue testing conducted by the manufacturer, fatigue cracks were found in the heads of the pintle pins of the main landing gears (MLG) of test airplanes at 118,700 simulated flights. Such fatigue cracking, if not corrected, could result in failure of the pintle pins and consequent collapse of the MLG.

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-32-1024, dated January 29, 1990, which describes procedures for replacing the pintle pin assembly with an improved assembly. The pintle pins of the improved assembly have thicker heads and walls, making them less susceptible to fatigue cracking. This assembly also includes installation of an anti-rotation plate. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive (CN) 940240-061(B), dated November 9, 1994, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France. This replacement has been accomplished during production on airplanes having manufacturer's serial numbers (MSN) 022 and subsequent.

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 21.19) 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.

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, this AD is being issued to prevent initiation and propagation of fatigue cracking in the pintle pins of the MLG. This AD requires replacement of the rear pintle pin of both MLG's with an improved pintle pin assembly. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

None of the Model A320 series airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would require approximately 21 work hours to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $12,636 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $13,896 per airplane.

Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption "ADDRESSES." All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the 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 that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 95-NM-195-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a "significant rule" under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

REGULATORY TEXT:  
95-22-10 AIRBUS: Amendment 39-9418. Docket 95-NM-195-AD.

Applicability: Model A320 airplanes; as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1024, dated January 29, 1990; certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 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 owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracking in the pintle pins of the main landing gear (MLG), which could lead to the failure of the pintle pins and consequent collapse of the MLG, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total landings, or at the next overhaul of the main landing gear, whichever occurs first, replace the rear pintle pin of both MLG with an improved pintle pin assembly in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-32-1024, dated January 29, 1990.

(b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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.

(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320- 32-1024, January 29, 1990. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 1995.

FOOTER: