[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62568-62570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21685]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28882; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-035-AD; 
Amendment 39-15247; AD 2007-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Goodrich Evacuation Systems Approved 
Under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C69b and Installed on Airbus 
Model A330-200 and -300 Series Airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 
Series Airplanes, and Model A340-541 and -642 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved under TSO-
C69b and installed on certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 
and -642 airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting to determine 
the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich 
evacuation systems, and corrective action if necessary. For certain 
airplanes, this new AD requires an additional inspection to determine 
the part number of the pressure relief valves, and corrective action if 
necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that, during 
maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected 
Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which caused 
the pressure in the escape slide/raft to drop below the minimum 
allowable raft mode pressure. We are issuing this AD

[[Page 62569]]

to prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an 
emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to 
support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching, and increase the 
chance for injury to raft passengers.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 11, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 11, 
2007.
    On July 17, 2006 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Goodrich 
Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Goodrich, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: Technical Publications, 
3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Ton, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety/Mechanical and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150L, FAA, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5352; fax (562) 
627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2006-12-08, amendment 
39-14633 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006). The existing AD applies to 
Goodrich evacuation systems approved under Technical Standard Order 
(TSO) TSO-C69b and installed on certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 
series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model 
A340-541 and -642 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on August 6, 2007 (72 FR 43576). That NPRM proposed to 
continue to require inspecting to determine the part number of the 
pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems, and 
corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, that NPRM also 
proposed to require an additional inspection to determine the part 
number of the pressure relief valves, and corrective action if 
necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 689 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 27 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2006-12-08 and retained in this 
AD take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
currently required actions is $2,160, or $80 per airplane.
    All airplanes affected by the new required action are currently 
operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry. If an affected 
airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the 
new actions will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated 
cost of the new actions specified in this AD for U.S. operators is $80 
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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-14633 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006) and by adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-23-01 Goodrich (Formerly BF Goodrich): Amendment 39-15247. 
Docket No. FAA-2007-28882; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-035-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 11, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-12-08.

[[Page 62570]]

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved 
under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C69b, as installed on 
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.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that, during 
maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected 
Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which 
caused the pressure in the escape slide/raft to drop below the 
minimum allowable raft mode pressure. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an 
emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to 
support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching, and increase 
the chance for injury to raft passengers.

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.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006-12-08

Inspection for Certain Part Number (P/N)

    (f) For all airplanes: Within 36 months after July 17, 2006 (the 
effective date of AD 2006-12-08): Perform an inspection to determine 
the part number of the pressure relief valve on the Goodrich 
evacuation systems in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 
2005; or Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 
24, 2006. After the effective date of this AD, only Goodrich Service 
Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006, may be used.
    (1) If any pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-3 is 
installed, before further flight, replace the valve with a new or 
serviceable valve having P/N 4A3641-1 and mark the girt adjacent to 
the placard, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin.
    (2) If any pressure release valve having P/N 4A3641-1 is 
installed, before further flight, mark the girt adjacent to the 
placard in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.

Part Installation for Airplanes Identified in Original Issue of the 
Service Bulletin

    (g) As of July 17, 2006, no person may install a pressure relief 
valve having P/N 4A3791-3, on any airplane equipped with Goodrich 
evacuation systems identified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, 
dated July 25, 2005.

New Requirements of This AD

Inspection for Certain Other P/N

    (h) For Model A340-541 airplanes: Within 36 months after the 
effective date of this AD, perform an inspection to determine the 
part number of the pressure relief valve on the Goodrich evacuation 
systems in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
    (1) If any pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-6 is 
installed, before further flight, replace the valve with a new or 
serviceable valve having P/N 4A3641-26 and mark the girt adjacent to 
the placard, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin.
    (2) If any pressure release valve having P/N 4A3641-26 is 
installed, before further flight, mark the girt adjacent to the 
placard in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.

Parts Installation for All Airplanes

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-3, on any airplane equipped 
with Goodrich evacuation systems identified in Goodrich Service 
Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
    (j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-6, on any airplane equipped 
with Goodrich evacuation systems identified in Goodrich Service 
Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-12-08 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 
25, 2005; or Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated 
July 24, 2006; as applicable, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, 
Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) On July 17, 2006 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 2005.
    (3) Contact Goodrich, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: 
Technical Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040, 
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 27, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-21685 Filed 11-5-07; 8:45 am]
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