[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 127 (Monday, July 2, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39186-39188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16096]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0676; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-182-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports of the escape slide of the raft inflation 
system not deploying when activated due to the rotation of the cable 
guide in a direction which resulted in jamming of the inflation control 
cable. This proposed AD would require modifying the affected slide 
rafts. We are proposing this AD to prevent non-deployment of the 
inflation system of the escape slide raft, which could result in 
delayed evacuation from the airplane during an emergency, and 
consequent injury to the passengers.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 16, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For Airbus service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice 
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax 
+33 5 61 93 44 51; email [email protected]; Internet 
http://www.airbus.com. For Air Cruisers service information identified 
in this proposed AD, contact Zodiac Services Americas, Cage Code 567V9, 
4900, St. Joe Boulevard, Building 200, Suite 400, College Park, Georgia 
30337; telephone 678-228-8153; fax 404-599-0041; email 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.zodiacaerospace.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,

[[Page 39187]]

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 Operations office (telephone (800) 
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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-2012-0676; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-182-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 based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.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 2011-0160, dated August 26, 2011 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Two occurrences on Airbus A320 aeroplanes have been reported 
where the escape slide raft inflation system did not deploy when 
activated, due to the rotation of the cable guide in a direction 
which resulted in jamming of the inflation control cable. 
Additionally, there has been one reported case where the system did 
not deploy properly due to a cracked inflation hose fitting.
    Investigation conducted by the slide raft manufacturer showed 
that the hose fitting could be subject to a bending moment if 
improperly packed. Subsequently, the hose fitting could separate 
from the reservoir and the inflation of the slide raft may be 
impaired.
    This condition, if not corrected, could delay the evacuation 
from the aeroplane in case of emergency, possibly resulting in 
injury to the occupants.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of the affected slide rafts or [optional] replacement 
thereof with modified units.

The modification includes installing a cable guide adaptor, an anti-
rotation bracket, and a new hose assembly. You may obtain further 
information by examining the MCAI in the AD.

Relevant Service Information

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-25-1723, dated December 17, 
2010 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes); and Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1724, dated December 17, 2010 (for Model A318 series 
airplanes). Air Cruisers Company has issued Service Bulletin A320 004-
25-85, dated November 30, 2010 (for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
series airplanes). 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, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 745 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 19 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $341 per product. Where the 
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under 
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. 
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some 
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $1,457,220, or $1,956 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

[[Page 39188]]

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-2012-0676; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-
182-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 16, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -
122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, 
and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, 
and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -
213, -231, and -232 airplanes; certificated in any category; all 
manufacturer serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25: Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the escape slide of the raft 
inflation system not deploying when activated due to the rotation of 
the cable guide in a direction which resulted in jamming of the 
inflation control table. We are issuing this AD to prevent non-
deployment of the inflation system of the escape slide raft, which 
could result in delayed evacuation from the airplane during an 
emergency, and consequent injury to the passengers.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, within 36 months 
after the effective date of this AD: Modify the escape slide rafts 
that have a part number specified in table 1 of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1723, dated December 17, 2010 (for Model A319, 
A320, and A321 series airplanes); or Airbus Service Bulletin A320-
25-1724, dated December 17, 2010 (for Model A318 series airplanes).

                       Table 1--Escape Slide Rafts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Cruisers and Aerazur Escape Slide Rafts Part Number if Fitted With a
      Reservoir and Valve Assembly P/N D18309-105 or P/N D18309-205
 
D30664-105
D30664-107
D30664-109
D30664-305
D30664-307
D30664-309
D30664-311
D30665-105
D30665-107
D30665-109
D30665-305
D30665-307
D30665-309
D30665-311
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Replacement in Accordance With Air Cruisers Service Bulletin

    Replacement of all affected escape slide rafts on any affected 
airplane with slide rafts that have been modified in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Air Cruisers Service Bulletin 
S.B. A320 004-25-85, dated November 30, 2010, is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Airplanes Not Affected by Paragraph (g) This AD

    Airplanes on which Airbus modification 151459 or modification 
151502 has been embodied in production, and on which no escape slide 
raft replacements have been made since first flight, are not 
affected by the requirement specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Parts Installation

    (1) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (i) 
of this AD: After accomplishment of the modification required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD or after accomplishment the replacement 
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, no person may install, on any 
airplane, an escape slide raft specified in table 1 of this AD, 
unless it has been modified in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1723, dated December 
17, 2010 (for Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes); Airbus 
Service Bulletin A320-25-1724, dated December 17, 2010 (for Model 
A318 series airplanes); or Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-
25-85, dated November 30, 2010 (for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 
series airplanes).
    (2) For airplanes identified in paragraph (i) of this AD: As the 
effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any airplane, 
an escape slide raft specified in table 1 of this AD, unless it has 
been modified in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1723, dated December 17, 2010 (for 
Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes); Airbus Service 
Bulletin A320-25-1724, dated December 17, 2010 (for Model A318 
series airplanes); or Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-25-85, 
dated November 30, 2010 (for Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series 
airplanes).

 (k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it to ATTN: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter 
must specifically reference this AD.
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2011-0160, dated 
August 26, 2011; and the service information specified in paragraphs 
(1)(1) through (1)(3) of this AD; for related information.
    (1) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1723, dated December 17, 
2010.
    (2) Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1724, dated December 17, 
2010.
    (3) Air Cruisers Service Bulletin A320 004-25-85, dated November 
30, 2010.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 26, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-16096 Filed 6-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P