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; Amendment 39-11385; AD 99-22-07]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330 and A340 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 series airplanes, that

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requires 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 amendment is prompted by

issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign

civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this 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: Effective November 26, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of November 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Airbus Model A330 and A340

series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 20,

1999 (64 FR 45487). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest

require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

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 will 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 will be

$420 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that

no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD

action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the

future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will 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 final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

99-22-07 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-11385. 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,

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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.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus

Industrie Service Bulletin A330-25-3086, including Appendix 01,

Revision 01, dated June 11, 1999; or Airbus Industrie Service

Bulletin A340-25-4115, including Appendix 01, Revision 01, dated

June 11, 1999; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was

approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with

5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from

Airbus Industrie, Customer Services Directorate, 1 Rond Point

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Copies may be

inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-27324 Filed 10-21-99; 8:45 am]

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