[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2915]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 9, 1994]


                                                    VOL. 59, NO. 27

                                        Wednesday, February 9, 1994
=======================================================================

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-226-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A300 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With BFGoodrich Evacuation Door Slides

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 A300 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of certain 
evacuation door slides. This proposal is prompted by a report that, 
during flight crew training, the toe end of the slide lane tore. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent damage to 
the slide, which could render the slide unusable, contribute to injury 
of passengers on the slide, and delay or impede the evacuation of 
passengers during an emergency.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-226-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, 
Sustaining Engineering, Department 7916, Phoenix, AZ 85040. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 
East Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East 
Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-
5338; fax (310) 988-5210.

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 93-NM-226-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-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 93-NM-226-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has recieved a report that on three occasions, during 
flight crew training, the toe end of the slide lane tore on certain 
BFGoodrich evacuation door slides installed on Airbus Model A300 series 
airplanes. Subsequent testing, conducted by BFGoodrich (the 
manufacturer of the evacuation door slides), repeated such a failure 
mode. Investigation of the testing results has revealed that 
installation of an additional splice panel on the back side of the 
slide surfaces will eliminate tearing at the toe end. Tearing at the 
toe end of the slide lane, if not corrected, could render the slide 
unusable, which could contribute to injury of passengers on the slide, 
and could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an 
emergency.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Alert Service Bulletin 
7A1299-25A274, dated December 15, 1993, that describes procedures for 
modification of BFGoodrich evacuation door slides having part numbers 
(P/N) 7A1299-001 and 7A1299-002. This modification involves applying a 
splice panel to the back side of the main and toe end sliding surface. 
Accomplishment of this modification will prevent tearing at the toe end 
of the slide lane. -
    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable 
bilateral airworthiness agreement.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design equipped 
with the subject BFGoodrich evacuation door slides, the proposed AD 
would require modification those slides by applying a splice panel to 
the back side of the main and toe end sliding surface. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.
    Currently, there are no Airbus Model A300 series airplanes equipped 
with BFGoodrich evacuation door slides on the U.S. Register that would 
be affected by this proposed AD. However, should an affected airplane 
be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would 
take approximately 6.2 work hours per slide to accomplish the proposed 
actions, at an average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Required parts 
would be provided by BFGoodrich at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD is estimated to 
be $341 per slide.
    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 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    -1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended] -

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

Airbus Industrie: Docket 93-NM-226-AD.

     -Applicability: All Model A300 series airplanes, equipped with 
BFGoodrich evacuation slides having part numbers (P/N) 7A1299-001 
and 7A1299-002, certificated in any category.

     -Note 1: The requirements of this AD are not applicable to 
Airbus Model A310, A300-600, and A320 series airplanes.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. -
    To prevent tearing of the toe end of the slide, which could 
render the slide unusable, contribute to injury of passengers on the 
slide, and could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during 
an emergency, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the evacuation door slides having P/N's 7A1299-001 and 7A1299-002, 
in accordance with BFGoodrich Alert Service Bulletin 7A1299-25A274, 
dated December 15, 1993.
    (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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), ANM-100S, 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, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 3, 1994.
N.B. Martenson,
 Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-2915 Filed 2-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U