[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 85 (Monday, May 3, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24099-24101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9903]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-274-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; Model 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (Collectively 
Called A300-600); and Model A310 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 A300 B2 and 
A300 B4; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R 
(collectively called A300-600); and Model A310 series airplanes. This 
proposal would require an inspection to determine the part number of 
certain passenger/crew escape slides; and related investigative action 
and corrective action, if necessary. This action is necessary to 
prevent the failure of an escape slide to deploy during emergency 
evacuation, which could impede an evacuation and result in injury to 
flightcrew and passengers. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 2, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-274-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. 2003-NM-274-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: Anthony Jopling, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2190; 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:
     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.
     For each issue, state what specific change to 
the proposed AD is being requested.
     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 2003-NM-274-AD.''

[[Page 24100]]

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. 2003-NM-274-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 A300 B2 and A300 B4; Model 
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively 
called A300-600); and Model A310 series airplanes. The DGAC advises 
that, after a precautionary emergency landing of an A310-200 series 
airplane, the left-hand passenger/crew door slide failed to deploy 
prior to flightcrew evacuation. Subsequent examination of the affected 
escape slide assembly showed that an incorrect girt had been installed 
during the last overhaul, which caused the malfunction. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in the failure of an escape slide to 
deploy during emergency evacuation, which could impede and evacuation 
and result in injury to flightcrew and passengers.
    The subject area on certain Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; Model A300 
B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called 
A300-600); and Model A310-300 series airplanes is almost identical to 
that on the affected Model A310-200 series airplanes. Therefore, those 
airplanes may be subject to the same unsafe condition revealed on the 
Model A310-200 series airplanes.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-25A0475, dated October 3, 
2003 (for Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes); Service Bulletin 
A300-25A6184, dated October 3, 2003 (for Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, 
C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600) series 
airplanes); and Service Bulletin A310-25A2165, dated October 3, 2003 
(for Model A310 series airplanes). These service bulletins describe 
procedures for inspecting to determine the part number (P/N) of the 
evacuation slides installed on the passenger/crew doors; and related 
investigative and corrective actions for airplanes fitted with Goodrich 
slides having P/Ns 7A1296-001, 7A1296-002, 7A1298-001, or 7A1298-002. 
The related investigative action is inspecting the slide for 
installation of a girt with the correct P/N. If the slide is found to 
have an incorrect girt P/N, the related corrective action is returning 
the slide to an approved service center for modification, and re-
installing an escape slide with the correct P/N and girt.
    These service bulletins reference Goodrich Alert Service Bulletin 
7A1296/7A1298-25A345, dated October 15, 2003, as an additional source 
of service information for accomplishment of the inspection and 
modification.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Airbus service 
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition.
    The DGAC classified the Airbus service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued French airworthiness directive F-2003-435, dated December 10, 
2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 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 service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 202 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours per slide to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$195 per slide.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

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:


[[Page 24101]]


Airbus: Docket 2003-NM-274-AD.

    Applicability: Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; Model A300 B4-600, B4-
600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600); 
and Model A310 series airplanes; equipped with Goodrich escape 
slides; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the failure of an escape slide to deploy during 
emergency evacuation, which could impede an evacuation and result in 
injury to flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the following:

Service Bulletin Reference

    (a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as 
applicable:
    (1) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: Airbus 
Service Bulletin A300-25A0475, dated October 3, 2003;
    (2) For Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes: Airbus Service 
Bulletin A300-25A6184, dated October 3, 2003; and
    (3) For Model A310 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin 
A310-25A2165, dated October 3, 2003.

    Note 1: These service bulletins reference Goodrich Alert Service 
Bulletin 7A1296/7A1298-25A345, dated October 15, 2003, as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
inspection and modification.

Inspections and Corrective Action

    (b) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Do an 
inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the passenger/crew 
door escape slides. If any Goodrich P/N 7A1298-001, 7A1298-002, 
7A1296-001, or 7A1296-002 is found during the inspection, prior to 
further flight, do the related investigative action, any applicable 
corrective action, and replace the slide with a new or modified 
slide which has a girt with the correct P/N. Do all actions per the 
applicable service bulletin.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane a Goodrich escape slide having P/N 7A1298-001, 
7A1298-002, 7A1296-001, or 7A1296-002, unless the related 
investigative and any applicable corrective action has been done per 
paragraph (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 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive F-2003-435, dated December 10, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9903 Filed 4-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P