[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 161 (Friday, August 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45487-45488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21683]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 filed in 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. 99-21683 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE [4910-13-P
