[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56389-56391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19235]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22524; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-135-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-
200, and A340-300 Series Airplanes, and Model A340-541 and A340-642 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 
series airplanes, and A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require inspecting to determine if certain emergency escape 
slides/slide rafts (referred to as slide/rafts) are installed in 
certain crew/passenger doors; and, if so, performing a one-time 
inspection to determine if the electrical harnesses of the slide/rafts 
are properly routed, and rerouting the harnesses if necessary. This 
proposed AD results from a report that a slide/raft failed to deploy 
properly during a deployment test. We are proposing this AD to detect 
and correct improper routing of the electrical harnesses of certain 
slide/rafts, which could prevent proper deployment of the slide/rafts 
and delay evacuation of passengers and flightcrew during an emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 27, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, 
France,

[[Page 56390]]

for service information identified in this proposed AD.

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

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Include the docket number ``FAA-
2005-22524; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-135-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-
200, and A340-300 series airplanes, and A340-541 and A340-642 
airplanes. The DGAC has received a report that, during a deployment 
test, an emergency escape slide/slide raft (referred to hereafter as a 
``slide/raft'') failed to deploy due to interference from the slide/
raft electrical harness, which had been improperly routed during a 
prior replacement or installation of the slide/raft. This condition, if 
not corrected, could prevent proper deployment of certain slide/rafts 
and delay evacuation of passengers and flightcrew during an emergency.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-25A3272-2005, 
Revision 01, dated March 24, 2005 (for Model A330-200 and -300 series 
airplanes); AOT A340-25A4259-2005, Revision 01, dated March 24, 2005 
(for Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes); and AOT A340-25A5091, 
Revision 02, dated June 1, 2005 (for Model A340-541 and -642 
airplanes). The AOTs describe procedures for inspecting for proper 
routing of the electrical harnesses of the slide/rafts of certain 
airplane crew/passenger doors and rerouting the harnesses if necessary. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated 
the service information and issued French airworthiness directive F-
2005-077, dated May 11, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    The ``inspection'' of the electrical harnesses specified in French 
airworthiness directive F-2005-077 and the AOTs is referred to in this 
proposed AD as a ``general visual inspection.'' We have included the 
definition for a general visual inspection in a note in the proposed 
AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 25 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $4,875, or $195 
per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 56391]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-22524; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
135-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 
27, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, 
-243, -301, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; Model 
A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes; and Model 
A340-541 and -642 airplanes; certificated in any category; as 
identified in Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-25A3272-2005, 
Revision 01, dated March 24, 2005; Airbus AOT A340-25A4259-2005, 
Revision 01; dated March 24, 2005; or Airbus AOT A340-25A5091, 
Revision 02, dated June 1, 2005; as applicable.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that an emergency escape 
slide/slide raft (referred to hereafter as a ``slide/raft'') failed 
to deploy properly during a deployment test. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct improper routing of the electrical harnesses 
of certain slide/rafts, which could prevent proper deployment of the 
slide/raft and delay evacuation of passengers and flightcrew during 
an emergency.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (f) Within 1,700 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Inspect certain crew/passenger doors as required by paragraph 
(f)(1) or (f)(2), as applicable, of this AD to determine if slide/
rafts having certain part numbers (P/N) are installed. A review of 
airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the presence of the subject slide/rafts can be 
conclusively determined from that review.
    (1) For Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -
322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes and Model A340-211, -212, 
-213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes: On both right and left hand 
sides, inspect to determine the P/N of the slide/rafts of crew/
passenger doors 1 and 4, and, only if it is a type 1 door, crew/
passenger door 3. If crew/passenger door 3 is not a type 1 door, it 
is not subject to any requirement of this AD.
    (i) If a slide/raft does not have P/N 7A1508-( ) or 7A1509-( ), 
no further action is required for that slide/raft by this AD.
    (ii) If a slide/raft has P/N 7A1508-( ) or 7A1509-( ), before 
further flight, perform a general visual inspection of the 
electrical harness of the slide/raft and reroute the harness, as 
applicable, in accordance with paragraphs 4.2 through 4.2.4 of 
Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-25A3272-2005, Revision 01, or 
Airbus AOT A340-25A4259-2005, Revision 01; both dated March 24, 
2005; as applicable.
    (2) For Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes: On both right and 
left hand sides, inspect to determine the P/N of the slide/rafts of 
crew/passenger doors 1 and 4.
    (i) If a slide/raft does not have P/N 7A1508-( ), no further 
action is required for that slide/raft by this AD.
    (ii) If a slide/raft has P/N 7A1508-( ), before further flight, 
perform a general visual inspection of the electrical harness of 
that slide/raft and reroute the harness, as applicable, in 
accordance with paragraphs 4.2 through 4.2.4 of Airbus AOT A340-
25A5091, Revision 02, dated June 1, 2005.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 
ensure visual access to all 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 removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issues of AOTs

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Airbus AOT A330-25A3272, Airbus AOT A340-25A4259 
(for Model A340-200 and -300 airplanes), or Airbus AOT A340-25A5091 
(for Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes); all dated March 17, 2005; 
or A340-25A5091-2005, Revision 01, dated March 24, 2005; as 
applicable; are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (i) French airworthiness directive F-2005-077, dated May 11, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 16, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19235 Filed 9-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P