Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 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 A330 and A340

series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of

the rail release pins and parachute pins of the escape slide/raft pack

assembly for correct installation, and corrective actions, if

necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness

authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to

prevent improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and blockage of

the door in the event of an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-181-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from Airbus Industrie, Customer Services Directorate, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)

227-2110; 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 notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

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 notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 99-NM-181-AD.'' 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. 99-NM-181-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, has notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series

airplanes. The DGAC advises that cases of improper escape slide/raft

deployment have been reported. One operator reported the escape slide/

raft failed to deploy and the passenger/crew door was blocked part way

open. Subsequent investigation revealed that the cause of this

deployment failure and door blockage was incorrect installation of the

rail release pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly. Another

operator reported that, after deployment of the escape slide/raft, the

packboard of the escape slide/raft caught on the aft edge of the door,

obstructing the escape path, instead of falling out of the airplane in

a normal deployment. Investigation revealed that the obstruction of the

escape path by the packboard of the escape slide/raft occurred because

the parachute pin of the escape slide/raft assembly was already pulled

out before the door was open. These conditions, if not corrected, could

result in improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and blockage of

the door in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Airbus Industrie has issued Service Bulletins A330-25-3086 (for

Model A330 series airplanes) and A340-25-4115 (for Model A340 series

airplanes), both Revision 01, dated June 11, 1999; which describe

procedures for a one-time inspection of the rail release pins and

parachute pins of the escape slide/raft pack assembly for correct

installation, and corrective actions, if necessary. Corrective actions

include re-installation of the rail release pin into the release rail;

or, if either the rail release pin cannot be re-installed or the

parachute pin is found incorrectly installed, corrective actions

include removal of the discrepant escape slide/raft pack assembly and

replacement with a new pack assembly of the same part number. The DGAC

classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French

airworthiness directives 1999-178-086(B) (for Model A330 series

airplanes) and 1999-179-107(B) (for Model A340 series airplanes), both

dated May 5, 1999; in order to assure 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

Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the

applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this

bilateral airworthiness agreement,

[[Page 45488]]

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

None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S.

Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule

currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry;

therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However,

the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe

condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes

are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would require approximately 7 work hours to

accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per

work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be

$420 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct

effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 99-NM-181-AD.

Applicability: Model A330 series airplanes, certificated in any

category, serial numbers 12 through 223 inclusive, except serial

numbers 181, 195, 209, and 222; and Model A340 series airplanes,

certificated in any category, serial numbers 2 through 233

inclusive, except serial number 204.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent improper deployment of the escape slide/raft and

blockage of the door in the event of an emergency evacuation,

accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Within 2,000 flight hours or 6 months after the effective

date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a one-time detailed

visual inspection of the rail release pins and parachute pins of the

escape slide/raft pack assembly installed on all passenger/crew

doors (type A) and emergency exit doors (type A or type 1) for

correct installation, in accordance with Airbus Industrie Service

Bulletin A330-25-3086 (for Model A330 series airplanes) or A340-25-

4115 (for Model A340 series airplanes), both Revision 01, both dated

June 11, 1999.

(1) During the inspection performed in accordance with paragraph

(a) of this AD, if a rail release pin of the escape slide/raft pack

assembly is found to be missing or incorrectly installed: Prior to

further flight, re-install the rail release pin into the release

rail, or, if re-installation is not possible, remove the discrepant

escape slide/raft pack assembly and replace with a new pack assembly

of the same part number; in accordance with the applicable service

bulletin.

(2) During the inspection performed in accordance with paragraph

(a) of this AD, if a parachute pin of the escape slide/raft pack

assembly is found to be missing or incorrectly installed: Prior to

further flight, remove the discrepant escape slide/raft pack

assembly and replace with a new pack assembly of the same part

number; in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

inspection is defined as: ``An extensive visual examination of a

specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to

detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is

normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at

intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such

as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and

elaborate access procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International

Branch, ANM-116.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French

airworthiness directives 1999-178-086(B) (for Model A330 series

airplanes) and 1999-179-107(B) (for Model A340 series airplanes),

both dated May 5, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 16, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-21683 Filed 8-19-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE [4910-13-P