[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16304]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-63-AD; Amendment 39-8965; AD 94-14-17]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, that requires 
either the removal of the girt bar visual indicator brackets on 
passenger exit doors, or modification of the lanyard connecting the 
survival kit to the slide/raft. This amendment is prompted by a report 
that, during an emergency evacuation demonstration, the lanyard became 
entangled on the girt bar indicator mechanism, and subsequently 
prevented an exit door from opening fully to a locked position. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the lanyard from 
becoming entangled and interfering with proper opening of the exit 
door, a situation which could impede the successful evacuation of 
passengers through the door during an overwater operation where 
ditching is required.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 8, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Information related to this rulemaking action may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series 
airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) in the Federal Register on April 25, 1994 (59 FR 19681). That 
action proposed to require either the removal of the girt bar visual 
indicator brackets on passenger exit doors, or modification of the 
lanyard that connects the survival kit to the slide/raft.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Two commenters support the proposal.
    One commenters requests that airplanes on which Airbus Industrie 
Modification 23605 has been accomplished be excluded from the 
applicability of the rule. That modification is described in Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-25-1109, dated April 20, 1993, and entails 
removing the girt bar visual indicator brackets (plates) and replacing 
them with a red arrow placard that is used to indicate positive girt 
bar engagement. (The commenter also states that all Model A320 series 
airplanes up to serial number 413 have been delivered with this 
modification.) The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. The FAA 
addressed Modification 23605 in the preamble to the supplemental NPRM, 
and found that, although removal of the brackets will prevent possible 
interference between the overwater survival kit lanyard and the slide/
raft decorative cover, the red arrow placard did not provide for an 
acceptable means of girt bar position indication. However, since one of 
the options for complying with this AD [as provided by paragraph 
(a)(1)] is to remove the girt bar visual indicator brackets, the FAA 
now considers that airplanes on which Modification 23605 has been 
accomplished are in compliance with that paragraph of the rule because 
the brackets have been removed on those airplanes. (Whether or not the 
red arrow placard, installed as part of Modification 23605, is used to 
determine the engagement of the girt bar is of no consequence, since 
the girt bar position/arming indicator in the cockpit remains as a 
source to obtain positive indication of the position of the girt bar.) 
Accordingly, the applicability of the final rule has been revised to 
exclude airplanes on which Modification 23605 has been installed.
    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 with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    This is considered interim action. Airbus Industrie has advised the 
FAA that it is developing an alternative method of girt bar position 
indication for all Model A320 series airplanes that will not entail a 
design feature that would contribute to the addressed problem of 
lanyard entanglement. Once this modification is developed, approved, 
and available, the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
    The FAA estimates that 59 Model A320 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    Accomplishment of the removal of the girt bar visual indicator 
brackets will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of this removal action on U.S. operators who elect to 
accomplish it is estimated to be $55 per airplane.
    The time necessary to accomplish the modification of the lanyard 
may vary from operator to operator, depending upon the design submitted 
for approval by the FAA. However, the FAA estimates that a typical 
modification will require an average of 2 work hours to accomplish, at 
an average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of this modification action on U.S. operators who 
elect to accomplish it is estimated to be $110 per airplane.
    Based on the figures discussed above, the total cost impact of this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $3,245 and $6,490. This 
total cost impact figure is based on assumptions that no operator has 
yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no 
operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were 
not adopted.
    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, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. 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:

94-14-17 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8965. Docket 93-NM-63-AD.

    Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes equipped with slide/
raft evacuation systems; on which Airbus Industrie Modification 
23605 (specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1109, dated 
April 20, 1993) has not been accomplished; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the lanyard from becoming entangled on the girt bar 
indicator mechanism and preventing the exit door from opening 
properly if passengers are required to use the exit door during 
overwater operations where ditching may be required, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of 
this AD:
    (1) Remove the girt bar visual indicator brackets (plates) from 
all passenger exit doors that are so equipped. Or
    (2) Modify the lanyard that attaches the survival kit to the 
slide/raft so that it does not become entangled on the girt bar 
indicator mechanism, in accordance with a method approved by the 
Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate.
    (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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
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, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on August 8, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-16304 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]
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