[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55642-55644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26871]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-92-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A319 and A320 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320 series 
airplanes, that would have required repetitive inspections to detect 
cracking and delamination of the containers in which the off-wing 
emergency evacuation slides are stored, and corrective actions, if 
necessary. If cracking and delamination in excess of certain limits are 
found, the proposed AD would have required replacement of the slide 
with a modified slide, which would have terminated the inspection 
requirement. This new action revises the proposed rule by requiring an 
additional modification of the slides; accomplishment of both 
modifications of the slides would terminate the requirement for 
repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this new proposed AD 
are intended to prevent the loss of the escape slides during flight, 
which could make the emergency exits located over each wing unusable 
and result in damage to the fuselage.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 3, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-92-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, 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 96-NM-92-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. 96-NM-92-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

[[Page 55643]]

Discussion

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to 
certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes, was published as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on January 14, 
1997 (62 FR 1861). That NPRM would have required repetitive inspections 
to detect cracking and delamination of the containers in which the left 
and right off-wing emergency evacuation slides are stored, and repair, 
if necessary. If cracking and delamination in excess of certain limits 
are found, that proposed AD also would have required replacement of the 
slide with a modified slide, which would have terminated the 
requirement for repetitive inspections; and replacement of the 
discrepant container with a serviceable container. That NPRM was 
prompted by a report indicating that a slide deployed during flight, 
which resulted in the loss of the slide and the container door. That 
condition, if not corrected, could make the emergency exits located 
over each wing unusable and result in damage to the fuselage.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal

    Since the issuance of that NPRM, the Direction Generale de 
l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for 
France, has advised the FAA that, although repackaging of the slide was 
previously thought to be sufficient to prevent loss of container doors 
and consequent loss of escape slides, inservice inspections have 
revealed that interference may still be present even with correctly 
packed slides. Therefore, the DGAC no longer considers that 
modification of the slides as described in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1156, dated June 21, 1995, will eliminate the need for 
repetitive inspections of the slides.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999. The inspection procedures described in this service 
bulletin are identical to the previous revision. However, this revision 
includes Airbus Model A319 series airplanes in the effectivity, adds 
references to an additional modification of the offwing escape slides, 
and updates certain service bulletin references to later revisions.
    Airbus also has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, 
dated February 2, 1999, which describes procedures for an additional 
modification of the offwing escape slides. The new modification 
involves structurally enhancing the container door by replacing 
frangible washers with solid ring retainers. The modification also 
involves inspecting each slide as described in A320-25-1161, Revision 
01, repairing, if necessary, and repacking the slide. Accomplishment of 
this modification, in addition to the modification specified in the 
original service bulletin, would eliminate the need for the repetitive 
inspections of the escape slide containers. The Airbus service bulletin 
references Air Cruisers Service Bulletins 004-25-37, Revision 2, dated 
May 29, 1996, and 004-25-42, dated September 16, 1996, as additional 
sources of service information for accomplishment of the modifications.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Airbus service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, 
Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999, as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directive 1999-232-132(B), dated June 2, 1999, in order 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

Conclusion

    This supplemental NPRM proposes to add a requirement for 
modification of the slides in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999, which would 
terminate the requirement for repetitive inspections. This supplemental 
NPRM would also revise the applicability to add Airbus Model A319 
series airplanes, and to exclude airplanes on which the terminating 
modification has been accomplished in production or in service. Since 
certain of these changes expand the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and French AD

    The proposed AD would differ from the parallel French airworthiness 
directive in that it would mandate the accomplishment of the 
modifications of the offwing escape slides within 5 years, which would 
constitute terminating action for the repetitive inspections required 
by this AD. The French airworthiness directive provides for that action 
as optional. Mandating the terminating action is based on the FAA's 
determination that long-term continued operational safety will be 
better assured by modifications or design changes to remove the source 
of the problem, rather than by repetitive inspections. Long-term 
inspections may not be providing the degree of safety assurance 
necessary for the transport airplane fleet. This, coupled with a better 
understanding of the human factors associated with numerous continual 
inspections, has led the FAA to consider placing less emphasis on 
inspections and more emphasis on design improvements. The proposed 
modification requirement is consistent with these conditions.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 121 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $36,300, or $300 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    It would take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed modifications, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $170 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed modifications on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $64,130, or $530 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 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,

[[Page 55644]]

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 96-NM-92-AD.

    Applicability: Model A319 and A320 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except airplanes on which Airbus 
Modifications 24850 and 25844 have been installed in production, or 
on which Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999, has been accomplished.

    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 (e) 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 loss of the escape slides during flight, which 
could make the emergency exits located over each wing unusable and 
result in damage to the fuselage, accomplish the following:

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (a) At the latest of the times specified in paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable: Perform a detailed 
visual inspection to detect cracking and delamination of each off-
wing escape slide container, including the container door, in 
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, 
dated February 2, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 18 months, until accomplishment of the 
actions required by paragraph (d) of this AD.
    (1) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Within 18 months after the last inspection in accordance 
with Airbus All Operator Telex 25-09, dated January 2, 1995, or 
Revision 1, dated February 16, 1995; or Airbus Service Bulletin 
A320-25-1161, dated June 21, 1995; if accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD.
    (3) Within 18 months after modification of the offwing escape 
slides in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, 
dated June 21, 1995; if accomplished prior to the effective date of 
this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive 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.''

    (b) If any crack or delamination is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD that does not exceed the limits 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, 
dated February 2, 1999: Prior to further flight, repair the crack or 
delamination in accordance with the service bulletin, and continue 
inspecting in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) If any crack or delamination is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD that exceeds the limits 
specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1161, Revision 01, 
dated February 2, 1999: Prior to further flight, replace the 
discrepant container with a serviceable container in accordance with 
the service bulletin, and continue inspecting in accordance with 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

Terminating Modification

    (d) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the offwing escape slides (i.e., modifications, inspection, repair, 
and repacking) in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-
1156, Revision 01, dated February 2, 1999. Modification of the 
escape slides constitutes terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

    Note 3: Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1156, Revision 01, dated 
February 2, 1999, references Air Cruisers Service Bulletins 004-25-
37, Revision 2, dated May 29, 1996, and 004-25-42, dated September 
16, 1996, as additional sources of service information for 
accomplishment of the modification of the offwing escape slides.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 4: 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

    (f) 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.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-232-132(B), dated June 2, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 7, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26871 Filed 10-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U