[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 2 (Friday, January 3, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 315-317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-154-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2, A300 B4, A300 B4-
600, A300 B4-600R, A300 F4-600R, A310, A330, and A340 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

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

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

SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus airplanes, that would have 
required repetitive inspections for foreign objects between the slider 
and the girt bar attachment fittings of the emergency escape slides; a 
one-time inspection for correct adjustment of the slide release 
mechanism and the girt bar attachment fittings, which would terminate 
the repetitive inspections; a one-time test for correct extension of 
the girt bar through the sliders; and corrective action, if necessary. 
This new action adds airplanes to the proposed applicability. The 
actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent 
failure of an emergency escape slide, which could result in a delayed 
evacuation in an emergency and consequent injury to passengers or crew. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-154-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-154-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-154-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. 2001-NM-154-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

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 A330 and A340 series airplanes, was published as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on October 
12, 2001 (66 FR 52066). That NPRM would have required repetitive 
inspections for foreign objects between the slider and the girt bar 
attachment fittings of the emergency escape slides; a one-time 
inspection for correct adjustment of the slide release mechanism and 
the girt bar attachment fittings, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspections; a one-time test for correct extension of the girt bar 
through the sliders; and corrective action, if necessary. The original 
NPRM was prompted by a report indicating that, during escape slide 
deployment tests on a Model A330 series airplane, the girt bar of the 
emergency escape slide became detached from the airplane when the

[[Page 316]]

escape slide was deployed. That condition, if not corrected, could 
result in failure of an emergency escape slide, which could result in a 
delayed evacuation in an emergency and consequent injury to passengers 
or crew.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal

    Since the issuance of that NPRM, operators have reported difficulty 
with certain inspection procedures described in the service bulletins. 
Problems encountered in measuring the gap between the sliders and the 
girt bar in some cases resulted in asymmetrical adjustment of the girt 
bar assembly. The manufacturer has since revised the service bulletins 
to improve the rigging procedures.
    In addition, the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation 
Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, has 
advised that the identified unsafe condition may apply to additional 
airplanes. Airbus Model A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes are 
equipped with the same escape slide installation as that on Model A330 
and A340 series airplanes.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The original NPRM cited Airbus Service Bulletins A330-52-3064 and 
A340-52-4076, both dated April 4, 2001, as the appropriate sources of 
service information for the proposed actions. Since the original NPRM 
was issued, Airbus issued Revision 01 of each service bulletin on June 
12, 2002, to revise certain inspection procedures and add airplanes to 
the effectivity. The remaining procedures are essentially unchanged.
    Airbus has also issued Service Bulletins A300-52-0174, A310-52-
2066, and A300-52-6062, all Revision 01, all dated August 23, 2002, 
which describe essentially the same procedures as those described in 
revised Service Bulletins A330-52-3064 and A340-52-4076.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the revised service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory. To 
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France, the 
DGAC issued French airworthiness directives 2002-296(B) and 2002-
297(B), both dated June 12, 2002; and 2002-525(B), dated October 16, 
2002.

Changes to Original NPRM

    Based on the DGAC's findings, the FAA has determined that it is 
necessary to revise the applicability of the original NPRM to add 
certain Model A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes.
    For clarification, the FAA has also revised the definition of a 
``general visual inspection'' (Note 2) in this supplemental NPRM.

Conclusion

    Since 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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 103 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to inspect 
for foreign objects between the slider and the girt bar attachment 
fittings, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $12,360, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    It would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to determine 
whether the slide mechanism and girt bar attachment fittings are 
adjusted correctly, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this inspection on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $24,720, or $240 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to determine 
whether the girt bar extends through the sliders correctly, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$24,720, or $240 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 the 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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: Docket 2001-NM-154-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplanes, certificated in any 
category:

                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Listed in Airbus Service
                 Model                               Bulletin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes...  A300-52-0174, Revision 01,
                                          dated August 23, 2002.

[[Page 317]]

 
A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-  A300-52-6062, Revision 01,
 600R series airplanes.                   dated August 23, 2002.
A310 series airplanes..................  A310-52-2066, Revision 01,
                                          dated August 23, 2002.
A330 series airplanes..................  A330-52-3064, Revision 01,
                                          dated June 12, 2002.
A340 series airplanes..................  A340-52-4076, Revision 01,
                                          dated June 12, 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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 (d) 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 emergency escape slide, which could 
delay evacuation in an emergency and result in injury to passengers 
or crew, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspections for Foreign Objects

    (a) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or 
(a)(2) of this AD: Perform a general visual inspection for foreign 
objects between the slider and the girt bar attachment fittings of 
the emergency escape slides according to the applicable service 
bulletin listed in Table 2 of this AD. Repeat the inspection at 
least every 7 days until the actions required by paragraph (b) of 
this AD are done. If any foreign object is found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further 
flight, remove the object and ensure that the girt bar attachment 
fittings are clean, according to the applicable service bulletin. 
Table 2 follows:

       Table 2.--Service Bulletin References for Required Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Do the actions in accordance
               For model                   with Airbus Service Bulletin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes...  A300-52-0174, Revision 01,
                                          dated August 23, 2002.
A300 B4-600, A300 B4-600R, and A300 F4-  A300-52-6062, Revision 01,
 600R series airplanes.                   dated August 23, 2002.
A310 series airplanes..................  A310-52-2066, Revision 01,
                                          dated August 23, 2002.
A330 series airplanes..................  A330-52-3064, Revision 01,
                                          dated June 12, 2002.
A340 series airplanes..................  A340-52-4076, Revision 01,
                                          dated June 12, 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) For Model A330 and A340 series airplanes: Inspect within 7 
days after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For Model A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes: Inspect 
within 550 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removing or opening access 
panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to 
gain proximity to the area being checked.''

One-Time Inspection of Slide Release Mechanism and Girt Bar Attachment 
Fittings

    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection for correct adjustment 
of the emergency escape slide release mechanism and the girt bar 
attachment fittings according to the service bulletin listed in 
Table 2 of this AD, as applicable. If the slide mechanism or girt 
bar attachment fittings are not adjusted correctly: Before further 
flight, adjust them according to the applicable service bulletin. 
Accomplishment of this inspection and any required corrective 
actions terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD.

One-Time Inspection of Girt Bar Attachment Fittings

    (c) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection for correct extension 
of the emergency escape slide girt bar through the sliders, 
according to the service bulletin listed in Table 2 of this AD, as 
applicable. If the girt bar does not extend correctly: Before 
further flight, rework the girt bar or replace the girt bar assembly 
with a new assembly, according to the applicable service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec.  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 2002-296(B) and 2002-297(B), both dated 
June 12, 2002; and 2002-525(B), dated October 16, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 24, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22 Filed 1-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P