[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
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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).
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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]
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