[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 161 (Friday, August 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45487-45488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21683]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of 
the rail release pins and parachute pins of the escape slide/raft pack 
assembly for correct installation, and corrective actions, if 
necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and blockage of 
the door in the event of an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus Industrie, Customer Services Directorate, 1 Rond 
Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. This information 
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-181-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, has notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that cases of improper escape slide/raft 
deployment have been reported. One operator reported the escape slide/
raft failed to deploy and the passenger/crew door was blocked part way 
open. Subsequent investigation revealed that the cause of this 
deployment failure and door blockage was incorrect installation of the 
rail release pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly. Another 
operator reported that, after deployment of the escape slide/raft, the 
packboard of the escape slide/raft caught on the aft edge of the door, 
obstructing the escape path, instead of falling out of the airplane in 
a normal deployment. Investigation revealed that the obstruction of the 
escape path by the packboard of the escape slide/raft occurred because 
the parachute pin of the escape slide/raft assembly was already pulled 
out before the door was open. These conditions, if not corrected, could 
result in improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and blockage of 
the door in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletins A330-25-3086 (for 
Model A330 series airplanes) and A340-25-4115 (for Model A340 series 
airplanes), both Revision 01, dated June 11, 1999; which describe 
procedures for a one-time inspection of the rail release pins and 
parachute pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly for correct 
installation, and corrective actions, if necessary. Corrective actions 
include re-installation of the rail release pin into the release rail; 
or, if either the rail release pin cannot be re-installed or the 
parachute pin is found incorrectly installed, corrective actions 
include removal of the discrepant escape slide/raft pack assembly and 
replacement with a new pack assembly of the same part number. The DGAC 
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directives 1999-178-086(B) (for Model A330 series 
airplanes) and 1999-179-107(B) (for Model A340 series airplanes), both 
dated May 5, 1999; in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement,

[[Page 45488]]

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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are 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 7 work hours to 
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$420 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-181-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 12 through 223 inclusive, except serial 
numbers 181, 195, 209, and 222; and Model A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, serial numbers 2 through 233 
inclusive, except serial number 204.

    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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) 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 improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and 
blockage of the door in the event of an emergency evacuation, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 2,000 flight hours or 6 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a one-time detailed 
visual inspection of the rail release pins and parachute pins of the 
escape slide/raft pack assembly installed on all passenger/crew 
doors (type A) and emergency exit doors (type A or type 1) for 
correct installation, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service 
Bulletin A330-25-3086 (for Model A330 series airplanes) or A340-25-
4115 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both Revision 01, both dated 
June 11, 1999.
    (1) During the inspection performed in accordance with paragraph 
(a) of this AD, if a rail release pin of the escape slide/raft pack 
assembly is found to be missing or incorrectly installed: Prior to 
further flight, re-install the rail release pin into the release 
rail, or, if re-installation is not possible, remove the discrepant 
escape slide/raft pack assembly and replace with a new pack assembly 
of the same part number; in accordance with the applicable service 
bulletin.
    (2) During the inspection performed in accordance with paragraph 
(a) of this AD, if a parachute pin of the escape slide/raft pack 
assembly is found to be missing or incorrectly installed: Prior to 
further flight, remove the discrepant escape slide/raft pack 
assembly and replace with a new pack assembly of the same part 
number; in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An extensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and 
elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 1999-178-086(B) (for Model A330 series 
airplanes) and 1999-179-107(B) (for Model A340 series airplanes), 
both dated May 5, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 16, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21683 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE [4910-13-P