[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13235]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-226-AD; Amendment 39-8926; AD 94-11-10] 
 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A300 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With BFGoodrich Evacuation Door Slides 
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, that requires 
modification of certain evacuation door slides. This amendment is 
prompted by a report that, during flight crew training, the toe end of 
the slide lane tore. The actions specified by this 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: Effective July 7, 1994. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of July 7, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, 
Sustaining Engineering, Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. 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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, 
Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to certain Airbus Industrie Model A300 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on February 9, 1994 (59 FR 5964). 
That action proposed to require modification of certain evacuation door 
slides.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposed rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    Currently there are no Airbus Industrie Model A300 series airplanes 
equipped with BFGoodrich evacuation door slides on the U.S. register. 
However, should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, the FAA estimates that it will take 
approximately 6.2 work hours per slide to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required 
parts will be provided by BFGoodrich at no cost to the operators. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD would be $341 per 
slide.
    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.

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 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:

94-11-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8926, Docket 93-NM-226-AD.

    Applicability: 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, or 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-100L, 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Alert Service Bulletin 7A1299-25A274, dated December 15, 1993. 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 BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft 
Evacuation Systems, Sustaining Engineering, Department 7916, 
Phoenix, Arizona 85040. Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 7, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson, 
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-13235 Filed 6-6-94; 8:45 am]
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