[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 220 (Monday, November 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63597-63598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-234-AD; Amendment 39-10885; AD 98-23-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 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 A300 series airplanes, that requires 
modification of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system. This 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent the container release 
cable of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system from jamming, which 
could result in the inability to open the emergency exit doors or to 
correctly deploy the emergency evacuation slide/rafts, and consequent 
delay or impedance of passengers exiting the airplane during an 
emergency.

DATES: Effective December 21, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

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 A300 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 17, 1998 
(63 FR 49677). That action proposed to require modification of the 
emergency evacuation slide/raft system.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 24 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$1,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$37,440, or $1,560 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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.

[[Page 63598]]

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

98-23-17  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-10885. Docket 98-NM-234-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes equipped with Air 
Cruisers emergency evacuation slide/rafts having part numbers (P/N) 
D30457-Series, serial numbers (S/N) 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or 
P/N D30477-Series, S/N 4001 through 4211 inclusive, on which the 
actions described in Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, 
Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, have been not accomplished; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the container release cable of the emergency 
evacuation slide/raft system from jamming, which could result in the 
inability to open the emergency exit doors or to correctly deploy 
the emergency evacuation slide/rafts, and consequent delay, or 
impedance of passengers exiting the airplane during an emergency, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the emergency evacuation slide/raft system, in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A300-25-0465, dated October 31, 1997.

    Note 2: The Airbus service bulletin references Air Cruisers 
Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, as an 
additional source of service information for modifying the emergency 
evacuation slide/raft system.

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an evacuation slide/raft system having Air Cruisers P/N D30457-
Series, S/N 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or P/N D30477-Series, S/N 
4001 through 4211 inclusive, on any airplane, unless the slide/raft 
system has been modified in accordance with 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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 modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-25-0465, dated October 31, 1997. 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-121-243(B), dated March 11, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 21, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 4, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30167 Filed 11-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U