[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 220 (Monday, November 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63597-63598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30167]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-234-AD; Amendment 39-10885; AD 98-23-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, that requires
modification of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system. This
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent the container release
cable of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system from jamming, which
could result in the inability to open the emergency exit doors or to
correctly deploy the emergency evacuation slide/rafts, and consequent
delay or impedance of passengers exiting the airplane during an
emergency.
DATES: Effective December 21, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 17, 1998
(63 FR 49677). That action proposed to require modification of the
emergency evacuation slide/raft system.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 24 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$1,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$37,440, or $1,560 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
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.
[[Page 63598]]
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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-23-17 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10885. Docket 98-NM-234-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes equipped with Air
Cruisers emergency evacuation slide/rafts having part numbers (P/N)
D30457-Series, serial numbers (S/N) 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or
P/N D30477-Series, S/N 4001 through 4211 inclusive, on which the
actions described in Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88,
Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, have been not accomplished;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 (c) 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 the container release cable of the emergency
evacuation slide/raft system from jamming, which could result in the
inability to open the emergency exit doors or to correctly deploy
the emergency evacuation slide/rafts, and consequent delay, or
impedance of passengers exiting the airplane during an emergency,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the emergency evacuation slide/raft system, in accordance with
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-25-0465, dated October 31, 1997.
Note 2: The Airbus service bulletin references Air Cruisers
Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, as an
additional source of service information for modifying the emergency
evacuation slide/raft system.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an evacuation slide/raft system having Air Cruisers P/N D30457-
Series, S/N 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or P/N D30477-Series, S/N
4001 through 4211 inclusive, on any airplane, unless the slide/raft
system has been modified in accordance with this AD.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) The modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-25-0465, dated October 31, 1997. 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 98-121-243(B), dated March 11, 1998.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 21, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 4, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30167 Filed 11-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
