[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]
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