[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 82 (Monday, April 30, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21164-21166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8172]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28036; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-278-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as failure of an evacuation slide raft to inflate, which 
could delay the evacuation of passengers in case of an emergency. The 
proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     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.
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-
2797; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28036; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-278-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2006-0354, dated November 28, 2006 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an

[[Page 21165]]

unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that 
several operators have reported non-automatic deployment of slide rafts 
during ground operational testing. In all cases, the slide raft 
released correctly from the door but did not inflate automatically. 
Pulling the manual backup handle correctly inflated the slide raft. 
Investigation conducted by the slide raft manufacturer showed that non-
automatic deployments have two potential root causes:
     Non-opening of the lacing; and
     Stiffness and stiction (static friction) on the painted 
inflatable material.
    This situation, if not corrected, could delay the evacuation of 
passengers in case of an emergency.
    A new design solution has been developed to ensure the automatic 
slide raft deployment, which consists of:
     Continuous ``speed lacing'' cord and new soft covers with 
rounded grommets (this modification ensures that the lacing opens);
     A new shorter firing cable, a new anchor block for the 
slide raft packboard and a new folding procedure (this modification 
ensures automatic deployment regardless of the inflatable paint 
condition).
    Both modifications together ensure the automatic deployment 
function. The MCAI requires accomplishment of the set of modifications. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletins A330-25-3173, A340-25-4191, and 
A340-25-5004, all Revision 01, all dated August 2, 2006; and Service 
Bulletins A330-25-3301, A340-25-4273, and A340-25-5110, all dated March 
24, 2006. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority 
and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These 
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the 
actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 28 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 66 work-hours per product to comply with this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $3,860 per product. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $255,920, 
or $9,140 per product.

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 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 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. 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.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2007-28036; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
278-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 30, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) The requirements of this AD relate to those specified in AD 
2006-04-03, amendment 39-14484.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330 and A340 airplanes, 
certificated in any category; except those with the European 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) specified modifications installed in 
production, or the equivalent service bulletins installed in service 
(as specified in Tables 1 and 2 of this AD), provided no slide has 
been replaced since either airplane delivery or service bulletin 
installation, as applicable.

[[Page 21166]]



                  Table 1.--Exceptions to Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Airbus
                                                         modifications
         Airplane model              Configuration       installed in
                                                          production
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330, A340-200, -300............  With Modification   50806, 50807,
                                   40161 (optional     55071, and 55072.
                                   Type A door 3).
A330, A340-200, -300............  Without             50806 and 55071.
                                   Modification
                                   40161 (Type 1
                                   door 3).
A340-500........................  ..................  Either 50806,
                                                       50807, and 55071,
                                                       or 50806 and
                                                       55071.
A340-600........................  ..................  50806, 50808,
                                                       55071, and 55073.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  Table 2.--Exceptions to Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Airbus Service Bulletins installed in
        Airplane model                          service
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330.........................  A330-25-3173, Revision 01, dated August
                                2, 2006; and A330-25-3301, dated March
                                24, 2006.
A340-200, -300...............  A340-25-4191, Revision 01, dated August
                                2, 2006; and A340-25-4273, dated March
                                24, 2006.
A340-500, -600...............  A340-25-5004, Revision 01, dated August
                                2, 2006; and A340-25-5110, dated March
                                24, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states that several operators have reported non-automatic deployment 
of slide rafts during ground operational testing. In all cases, the 
slide raft released correctly from the door but did not inflate 
automatically. Pulling the manual backup handle correctly inflated 
the slide raft. Investigation conducted by the slide raft 
manufacturer showed that non-automatic deployments have two 
potential root causes: Non-opening of the lacing; and stiffness and 
stiction (static friction) on the painted inflatable material. This 
situation, if not corrected, could delay the evacuation of 
passengers in case of an emergency. A new design solution has been 
developed to ensure the automatic slide raft deployment, which 
consists of: continuous ``speed lacing'' cord and new soft covers 
with rounded grommets (this modification ensures that the lacing 
opens); and a new shorter firing cable, a new anchor block for the 
slide raft packboard and a new folding procedure (this modification 
ensures automatic deployment regardless of the inflatable paint 
condition). Both modifications together ensure the automatic 
deployment function. The MCAI requires accomplishment of the set of 
modifications.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) For slide raft P/Ns 7A1508-003/-005/-007/-023/-025/-027/-
029/-115; P/Ns 7A1539-003/-004/-005/-006/-007/-008/ -023/-024/-025/-
026/-027/-028/-029/-030/ -115/ -116; P/Ns 7A1510-003/-004/-005/-006/
-007/-008/-023/-024/-025/-026/-027/ -028/-029/ -030/-115/-116; and 
P/Ns 4A3934-1/-2/-001/-002: No later than 36 months after the 
effective date of this AD, modify the slide raft in accordance with 
the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin A330-25-3173, 
A340-25-4191, or A340-25-5004, all Revision 01, all dated August 2, 
2006; as applicable; and modify the slide raft assembly of each door 
in accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-25-3301, A340-25-4273, or A340-25-5110, all dated March 24, 
2006; as applicable.
    (2) For slide raft P/Ns 7A1508-033/-035/-037/-119/-121; P/Ns 
7A1539-033/-034/ -035/-036/-037/ -038/-119/-120/-121/-122; P/Ns 
7A1510-033/-034/-035/-036/-037/-038/ -119/-120/-121/-122; and P/Ns 
4A3934-5/-6/-7/-8: No later than 36 months after the effective date 
of this AD, modify the slide raft assembly of each door in 
accordance with the instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin 
A330-25-3301, A340-25-4273, or A340-25-5110, all dated March 24, 
2006; as applicable.

FAA AD Differences

    Note:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/ or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
ATTN: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  39.19 
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate 
principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding 
District Office.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0354, dated 
November 28, 2006; and the Airbus Service Bulletins specified in 
Table 3 of this AD for related information.

                   Table 3.--Airbus Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Service Bulletin           Revision level            Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A330-25-3173..................  01...............  August 2, 2006.
A340-25-4191..................  01...............  August 2, 2006.
A340-25-5004..................  01...............  August 2, 2006.
A330-25-3301..................  Original.........  March 24, 2006.
A340-25-4273..................  Original.........  March 24, 2006.
A340-25-5110..................  Original.........  March 24, 2006.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-8172 Filed 4-27-07; 8:45 am]
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