[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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