[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6370-6372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2929]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-153-AD; Amendment 39-12635; AD 2002-02-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that 
requires repetitive inspections and operational checks of the spring 
function of the emergency exit door slider mechanism, and corrective 
action if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the 
spring locking function of the slider mechanism due to corrosion, which 
could result in the escape slide detaching from the airplane in an 
emergency evacuation. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 19, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 19, 2002.

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.

[[Page 6371]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2797; 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 all Airbus Model A330 and A340 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 12, 
2001 (66 FR 52068). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections and operational checks of the spring function of the 
emergency exit door slider mechanism, and corrective action 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.

Explanation of Change to Final Rule

    The FAA's intention is for the follow-on actions in paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD (application of corrosion inhibitor to the 
sliders, and repair or replacement of the slider, if necessary) to be 
accomplished before further flight after accomplishment of the detailed 
visual inspection and operational check in paragraph (a) of this AD. 
However, the words ``before further flight'' were inadvertently omitted 
from paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of the proposal. The FAA finds that 
our intent in those paragraphs is clear based on the fact that the All 
Operators Telexes referred to in this AD clearly include the 
application of corrosion inhibitor as part of the inspection 
procedures, and also explicitly indicate that repair or replacement of 
the slider, if necessary, must be accomplished before further flight. 
However, for further clarification, the FAA has revised paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD to state that the actions in those 
paragraphs are required ``before further flight.''

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. 
The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 9 Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD. No Model A340 series airplanes 
affected by this action are currently on the U.S. Register.
    It will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at the average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,620, or 
$180 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:
2002-02-07  Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-12635. Docket 2001-NM-
153-AD.

    Applicability: All Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

    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 failure of the spring locking function of the slider 
due to corrosion, which could result in the escape slide detaching 
from the airplane in an emergency evacuation, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 18 months since date of manufacture, or within 550 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later: Perform a detailed visual inspection and an operational check 
of the spring function of the emergency exit door slider mechanism, 
in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-52A3063 
(for Model A330 series airplanes) or A340-52A4075 (for Model A340 
series airplanes), as applicable, both Revision 01, both dated 
January 3, 2001.

    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.''

    (1) If all sliders lock properly: Before further flight, apply 
corrosion inhibitor to the sliders, in accordance with the 
applicable

[[Page 6372]]

AOT. Thereafter, repeat the inspection and operational check at 
least every 18 months.
    (2) If any slider does not lock properly: Before further flight, 
repair the slider or replace it with a new part, and apply corrosion 
inhibitor to the sliders; in accordance with the applicable AOT. 
Thereafter, repeat the inspection and operational check at least 
every 18 months.

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 All 
Operators Telex A330-52A3063, Revision 01, dated January 3, 2001; or 
Airbus All Operators Telex A340-52A4075, Revision 01, dated January 
3, 2001; 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, 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 2001-053(B) and 2001-052(B), both dated 
February 7, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 19, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 31, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-2929 Filed 2-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U