[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56963-56965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27324]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD; Amendment 39-11385; AD 99-22-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 A330 and A340 series airplanes, that

[[Page 56964]]

requires 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 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 improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and 
blockage of the door in the event of an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective November 26, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 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 A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 
1999 (64 FR 45487). That action proposed to 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.

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

    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 will 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 will be 
$420 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.

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:

99-22-07  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11385. 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,

[[Page 56965]]

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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus 
Industrie Service Bulletin A330-25-3086, including Appendix 01, 
Revision 01, dated June 11, 1999; or Airbus Industrie Service 
Bulletin A340-25-4115, including Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated 
June 11, 1999; as applicable. 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, Customer Services Directorate, 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 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.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27324 Filed 10-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U