[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51703-51705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22304]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-101-AD; Amendment 39-9362; AD 95-19-01]


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With BFGoodrich Evacuation Slides and Slide/Rafts

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 Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes equipped with 
certain BFGoodrich evacuation slides and slide/rafts. This action 
requires an inspection to detect the presence of certain discrepancies 
of the packboard associated with the evacuation slides and slide/rafts, 
and replacement or modification of the packboard unit, if necessary. It 
also requires the eventual modification of all affected packboard 
units. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that these 
packboards have disengaged from the door mounting, due to cracking of 
the packboard and associated latch assembly that was incurred during 
hard landings. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
the packboard from disengaging from the door and restraining the door 
from fully opening, thereby preventing the evacuation slide from 
inflating and making both the slide and the door unusable during an 
emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective October 18, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 18, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 4, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-101-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, Department 7916, 
Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
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-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (310) 627-5338; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During flight testing on one Airbus Model 
A340 series airplane, the packboard units partially disengaged from the 
door mountings during hard landings. This caused cracking of the 
packboard edge and subsequent breakage of the latch assembly that 
connects the packboard to the door mounting. Such cracking of the 

[[Page 51704]]
packboard shell can cause the packboard to flex enough to cause this 
disengagement. The tolerance stack-up of the components holding the 
packboard to the door can result in inadequate engagement between the 
packboard rails, the latch assembly, and the rail adapter attachment. 
Should the packboard disengage from the door, it may then restrain the 
door from fully opening. This condition, if not corrected, could 
prevent the evacuation slide from inflating, thereby making both the 
slide and the associated door unusable during an emergency evacuation.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 
5A2917/27/63-25-279, dated January 12, 1995, which describes procedures 
for inspecting the slide and slide/raft packboards (1) to detect 
cracking in the end panels, (2) to determine if an excessive amount of 
gap exists between the bottom of the packboard rail and the top of the 
packboard, and (2) to determine if the chamfered surface on the rail 
adapter is below the rail (not showing). The service bulletin describes 
procedures fro replacing the packboard unit if any of these conditions 
are found.
    The FAA also has reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 
5A2917/27/63-25-278, Revision 1, dated July 14, 1995, which describes 
procedures for modifying the packboard assemblies. This modification 
entails replacing the latch and anchor block assemblies with new one-
piece assemblies; installing new rail adaptors and associated 
setscrews; removing the portability handles from Type A door units; and 
reinforcing the packboards of certain Type A doors.
    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 prevent the packboard from disengaging from the door 
and restraining the door from fully opening, thereby preventing the 
evocation slide from inflating and making both the slide and the door 
unusable during an emergency evacuation. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the packboard unit to detect various discrepancies, and 
either the replacement or modification of the packboard if any of these 
conditions exist. This AD also requires that all affected packboards 
eventually be modified. The actions are required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
    None of the Model A330 or A340 series airplanes affected by this 
action is 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 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection, at an average labor charge of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
inspection requirement of this AD would be $60 per airplane.
    The modification required by this AD action would require 2 work 
hours per slide to accomplish, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. There are 8 affected slides per airplane. Required parts 
would be provided by BFGoodrich at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the modification requirement of this 
AD would be $120 per slide, or $960 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-101-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 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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701. 

[[Page 51705]]



Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-19-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-9362. Docket 95-NM-101-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340 series airplanes; equipped 
with BFGoodrich evacuation slides or slide/rafts having part numbers 
and packboards as listed in Table 1 (Effectivity) of BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 5A2917/27/63-25-278, Revision 1, dated July 14, 
1995; 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 (c) of this AD 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 packboard from disengaging from the door 
and restraining the door from fully opening, thereby preventing the 
evacuation slide from inflating and making both the slide and the 
door unusable during an emergency evacuation, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 450 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the packboard unit of the slide and/or slide/raft in 
accordance with paragraphs 2A., 2B., and 2C. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A2917/27/63-25-279, 
dated January 12, 1995. If any discrepancy is found during this 
inspection, prior to further flight, accomplish either paragraph 
(a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD:
    (1) Replace the packboard unit in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 5A2917/27/63-25-279, dated January 12, 1995; or
    (2) Modify the packboard unit in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 5A2917/27/63-25-278, Revision 1, dated July 14, 
1995. After such modification, no further action is required by this 
AD.
    (b) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the packboard of the evacuation slide and slide/raft in accordance 
with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A2917/27/63-25-278, Revision 1, 
dated July 14, 1995. This modification constitutes terminating 
action for the requirements of this AD.
    (c) 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), 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.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A2917/27/63-25-279, dated January 
12, 1995. The modification shall be done in accordance with 
BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 5A2917/27/63-25-278, Revision 1, dated 
July 14, 1995. 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, 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 18, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 1, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22304 Filed 10-2-95; 8:45 am]
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