[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67984-67986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30223]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-284-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340-200 and -300 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and 
A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
repetitive inspections for proper installation of the parachute pins 
located in the escape slides/rafts at the door 3 Type I emergency exits 
on the left and right sides of the airplane; a one-time inspection of 
the associated electrical harnesses for the escape slides/rafts for 
proper routing and installation; and corrective actions if necessary. 
This proposal also would require adjustment of the speed lacing for the 
soft covers of the escape slides/rafts, which would terminate the 
repetitive inspections. This action is necessary to prevent failure of 
the escape slides/rafts to deploy correctly at door 3 Type I emergency 
exits, which could result in the escape slides/rafts being unusable 
during an emergency evacuation, and consequent injury to passengers or 
crew members. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 5, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-284-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-NM284-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 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Airbus, 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: 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: 

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-284-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-284-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330 and A340-200 and -300 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during a scheduled maintenance 
operation, an escape slide/raft at a door 3 Type I emergency exit did 
not deploy. Further investigation revealed that the parachute pin was 
not correctly installed and had rotated from its normal position and 
dropped through the first section of lacing on the soft cover of the 
escape slide/raft, which prevented the soft cover from opening the 
escape slide/raft. During another inspection it was discovered that the 
electrical harness associated with the escape slide/raft was not 
correctly installed and was not properly routed. Incorrect installation 
and/or routing of the electrical harness could prevent slide/raft 
detachment from the door after inflation. These conditions, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the escape slides/rafts to deploy 
correctly at door 3 Type I emergency exits, on the left and right sides 
of the airplane, which could result in the escape slides/rafts being 
unusable during an emergency evacuation, and consequent injury to 
passengers or crew members.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operator Telexes (AOT) A330-25A3154 (for 
Model A330 series airplanes) and A340-25A4172 (for Model A340-200 and -
300 series airplanes), both dated July 26, 2001. These AOTs describe 
procedures for repetitive inspections for proper installation of the 
parachute pins located in the escape slides/rafts at the door 3 Type I 
emergency exits, on the

[[Page 67985]]

left and right sides of the airplane, a one-time detailed inspection 
for proper installation and routing of the associated electrical 
harnesses; and corrective actions if necessary. Corrective actions for 
the parachute pins include adjustment of the speed lacing for the soft 
cover of the escape slides/rafts to prevent the parachute pins from 
moving from their original position. This action eliminates the need 
for the repetitive inspections of the parachute pins. Corrective 
actions for the electrical harnesses include relocating the quick-
disconnect connectors. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
AOTs is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. 
The DGAC classified these AOTs as mandatory and issued French 
airworthiness directives 2001-359(B) R3, dated October 30, 2002, and 
2001-360(B) R1, dated February 6, 2002, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    Both AOTs reference Goodrich Aircraft Evacuation Systems Alert 
Service Bulletin 7A1509-25A324, dated July 16, 2001, as an additional 
source of service information for adjusting the speed lacing.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec.  21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the applicable Airbus AOT described 
previously, except as discussed below.

Difference Between Proposed Rule and Referenced AOTs

    Operators should note that, although the referenced AOTs describe 
procedures for reporting inspection results to Airbus, this proposed AD 
would not require those actions. The FAA does not need this information 
from operators.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 14 Model A330 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, and that it would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
inspections at the average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspections on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $910, or $65 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to adjust the 
speed lacing for the escape slide/raft soft cover at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the proposed adjustment of the speed lacing for the escape slide/raft 
soft cover on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,730, or $195 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. 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.
    Currently, there are no Model A340 series airplanes on the U.S. 
Register. However, should an affected airplane be imported and placed 
on the U.S. Register in the future, it would require 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed inspections and 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed adjustment of the speed lacing for 
the escape slide/raft soft cover, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
for Model A340 operators would be $260 per airplane.

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-284-AD.

    Applicability: Model A330 and A340-200 and -300 series airplanes 
equipped with an escape slide/raft having any part [chyph]number (P/
N) 7A1509-101 through 7A1509-117 inclusive, and any serial number 
AD001 through AD0855 inclusive, at door 3 Type I emergency exits; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the escape slides/rafts to deploy 
correctly at door 3 Type I emergency exits, which could result in 
the escape slides/rafts being unusable during an emergency 
evacuation, and consequent injury to passengers or crew members, 
accomplish the following:

Inspections

    (a) Within 550 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Do a detailed inspection of the escape slides/rafts located at door 
3 Type I emergency exits, on the left and right sides of the 
airplane, for correct installation of the parachute pins, and a one-
time detailed inspection of the associated electrical harnesses for 
correct installation of the quick-disconnect connector, in 
accordance with paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of Airbus All Operator Telex 
(AOT) A330-25A3154 (for Model A330 series airplanes) or A340-25A4172 
(for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes), dated July 26, 2001; 
as

[[Page 67986]]

applicable. If any parachute pin or quick disconnect connector is 
incorrectly installed, before further flight, do the corrective 
actions per the applicable AOT. Repeat the inspections of the 
parachute pins thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight 
hours until accomplishment of paragraph (b) of this AD.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''


    Note 2: Repetitive inspections of the electrical harnesses are 
not required.

Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections

    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Adjust 
the speed lacing for the soft covers of the escape slides/rafts 
located at door 3 Type I emergency exits, in accordance with 
paragraph 4.3 of Airbus AOT A330-25A3154 (for Model A330 series 
airplanes) or A340-25A4172 (for Model A340-200 and -300 series 
airplanes), both dated July 26, 2001; as applicable. This adjustment 
terminates the repetitive inspections of the parachute pins required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD.

    Note 3: The AOTs reference Goodrich Aircraft Evacuation Systems 
Alert Service Bulletin 7A1509-25A324, dated July 16, 2001, as an 
additional source of service information for adjusting the speed 
lacing.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane an escape slide/raft having any P/N 7A1509-101 
through 7A1509-117 inclusive unless the parachute pin has been 
inspected and the speed lacing has been adjusted in accordance with 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2001-359(B) R3, dated October 30, 2002, and 
2001-360(B) R1, dated February 6, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2003.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30223 Filed 12-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P