[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 13, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31069-31071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13887]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-64-AD; Amendment 39-9260; AD 95-12-10]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. This 
action requires a one-time inspection to ensure the proper installation 
of the electrical cable wiring of the evacuation slide system on the 
passenger and crew doors. This amendment is prompted by a report of 
incorrect installation of this wiring on two airplanes. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to ensure that the electrical cable 
wiring is installed correctly so that it will not restrain the slide 
pack and prevent proper deployment of the slide. This condition, if not 
corrected, could impede the successful egress of passengers from the 
airplane during an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective June 28, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 28, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before August 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-64-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
[[Page 31070]] Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently 
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus 
Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during a 
test of the evacuation slide/raft system on a Model A340 series 
airplane, one operator noticed that the slide/raft emergency lights 
were inoperative. Examination revealed that the electrical wiring 
connecting the slide/raft to the door was holding the full weight of 
the slide pack. This resulted in the deformation of the electrical 
connector. Additionally, further investigation revealed that the 
electrical cable wiring was incorrectly routed through the 
transportation handles of the slide/raft pack. This same operator found 
a similar incorrect installation during a maintenance check of another 
airplane.
    During the slide deployment process, the slide pack has to release 
fully from the airplane in order to allow the gas reservoir to be 
actuated. If the electrical cable wiring is incorrectly routed through 
the transportation handles of the slide/raft pack, it can restrain the 
slide pack and prevent proper deployment of the slide. This condition, 
if not corrected, could impede the successful egress of passengers from 
the airplane during an emergency evacuation.
    Since the evacuation slide systems on both the Model A330 and the 
Model A340 are similar, both airplane models are subject to the 
identified unsafe condition.
    Airbus Industrie has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) 25-08, dated 
April 25, 1994, which describes procedures for performing a one-time 
inspection to ensure the correct installation of the evacuation slide/
raft electrical cable wiring on the passenger/crew doors. The DGAC 
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French 
Airworthiness Directives (CN) 94-141-002(B) (applicable to Model 
A330's) and 94-142-008(B) (applicable to Model A340's), both dated June 
22, 1994, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France.
    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to ensure the correct installation of the slide/raft 
electrical wiring on the passenger/crew doors. This AD requires a one-
time inspection to determine if this wiring is correctly installed, and 
correction of any discrepancies identified. The actions are required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the Airbus AOT described previously.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been included in this AD to clarify this long-standing requirement.
    There currently are no affected Model A330 or A340 series airplanes 
on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of 
this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that 
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these 
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
would be $120 per airplane. Since this AD action does not affect any 
airplane that is currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse 
economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. 
Therefore, notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the 
amendment may be made effective in less than 30 days after publication 
in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-64-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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 [[Page 31071]] 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 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:

95-12-10  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-9260. Docket 95-NM-64-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 series airplanes having manufacturer's 
serial number (MSN) 030, 037, and 045; and Model A340 series 
airplanes having MSN 005 through 031 inclusive, and 038; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent the electrical cables in the crew/passenger 
door from restraining the evacuation slide/raft pack and preventing 
proper deployment of the slide/raft, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 450 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, conduct a one-time inspection to determine the correct 
installation of the electrical cable wiring on the right- and left-
hand escape slide rafts, in accordance with Airbus All Operators 
Telex (AOT) 25-08, dated April 25, 1994. Prior to further flight, 
correct any discrepancies identified in the electrical cable wiring 
installation in accordance with the Airbus AOT.
    (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 2: 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) The inspection and correction of discrepancies shall be done 
in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 25-08, dated 
April 25, 1994. 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 Airbus Industrie, 1 
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 28, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 1, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-13887 Filed 6-12-95; 8:45 am]
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