Airworthiness directives: Airbus,

[Federal Register: August 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 161)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 45487-45488]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr20au99-31]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the rail release pins and parachute pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly for correct installation, and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and blockage of the door in the event of an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, Customer Services Directorate, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed 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 above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 99-NM-181-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that cases of improper escape slide/raft deployment have been reported. One operator reported the escape slide/ raft failed to deploy and the passenger/crew door was blocked part way open. Subsequent investigation revealed that the cause of this deployment failure and door blockage was incorrect installation of the rail release pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly. Another operator reported that, after deployment of the escape slide/raft, the packboard of the escape slide/raft caught on the aft edge of the door, obstructing the escape path, instead of falling out of the airplane in a normal deployment. Investigation revealed that the obstruction of the escape path by the packboard of the escape slide/raft occurred because the parachute pin of the escape slide/raft assembly was already pulled out before the door was open. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and blockage of the door in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletins A330-25-3086 (for Model A330 series airplanes) and A340-25-4115 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both Revision 01, dated June 11, 1999; which describe procedures for a one-time inspection of the rail release pins and parachute pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly for correct installation, and corrective actions, if necessary. Corrective actions include re-installation of the rail release pin into the release rail; or, if either the rail release pin cannot be re-installed or the parachute pin is found incorrectly installed, corrective actions include removal of the discrepant escape slide/raft pack assembly and replacement with a new pack assembly of the same part number. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 1999-178-086(B) (for Model A330 series airplanes) and 1999-179-107(B) (for Model A340 series airplanes), both dated May 5, 1999; in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement,

[[Page 45488]]

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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

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, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

None of the 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 7 work hours to accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $420 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed regulation (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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

   Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

   Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-181-AD.

   Applicability: Model A330 series airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 12 through 223 inclusive, except serial numbers 181, 195, 209, and 222; and Model A340 series airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 2 through 233 inclusive, except serial number 204.

   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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

   Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

   To prevent improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and blockage of the door in the event of an emergency evacuation, accomplish the following:

   Inspection

   (a) Within 2,000 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a one-time detailed visual inspection of the rail release pins and parachute pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly installed on all passenger/crew doors (type A) and emergency exit doors (type A or type 1) for correct installation, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service Bulletin A330-25-3086 (for Model A330 series airplanes) or A340-25- 4115 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both Revision 01, both dated June 11, 1999.

   (1) During the inspection performed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD, if a rail release pin of the escape slide/raft pack assembly is found to be missing or incorrectly installed: Prior to further flight, re-install the rail release pin into the release rail, or, if re-installation is not possible, remove the discrepant escape slide/raft pack assembly and replace with a new pack assembly of the same part number; in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

   (2) During the inspection performed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD, if a parachute pin of the escape slide/raft pack assembly is found to be missing or incorrectly installed: Prior to further flight, remove the discrepant escape slide/raft pack assembly and replace with a new pack assembly of the same part number; in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

   Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: ``An extensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

   Alternative Methods of Compliance

   (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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International Branch, ANM-116.

   Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

   Special Flight Permits

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

   Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 1999-178-086(B) (for Model A330 series airplanes) and 1999-179-107(B) (for Model A340 series airplanes), both dated May 5, 1999.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 16, 1999. D.L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-21683Filed8-19-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE [4910-13-P