# 63 FR 49677: Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/FR_PRORULE_98-24873 ## Section - **Citation:** 63 FR 49677 - **Heading:** Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 Series Airplanes - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Federal Register / Vol. 63 / 63 FR 49677 ## Text ice 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 98-NM-234-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. 98-NM-234-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Discussion h the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 98-NM-234-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. 98-NM-234-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, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that during an evacuation test of certain airplanes equipped with Air Cruisers emergency evacuation slide/rafts, the evacuation slide/rafts failed to deploy correctly. These failures were attributed to detachment of the slide/raft of the container release cable from the girt of the slide/raft due to excessive forces applied to the cable when it became jammed in a gap between adjoining components of the slide/raft system. Investigation revealed that the existing slide/raft system design may allow a gap to develop between the packboard and pinblock assembly in which the container release cable can become jammed. Such jamming of the container release cable can result in the inability to open the emergency exit doors or to correctly deploy the emergency evacuation slide/rafts. These conditions, if not corrected, could impede or delay passengers from exiting the airplane during an emergency. Explanation of Relevant Service Information ock assembly in which the container release cable can become jammed. Such jamming of the container release cable can result in the inability to open the emergency exit doors or to correctly deploy the emergency evacuation slide/rafts. These conditions, if not corrected, could impede or delay passengers from exiting the airplane during an emergency. Explanation of Relevant Service Information Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A300-25-0465, dated October 31, 1997, which describes procedures for modification of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system. The modification includes the installation of reinforcement discs at both ends of the container release cable assembly, and the installation of retaining screws to secure the packboard skin to the pin block assembly. (Air Cruisers, the manufacturer of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system, has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of the modification.) Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Airbus service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified the Airbus service bulletin as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 98-121-243(B), dated March 11, 1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France. FAA's Conclusions This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, 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. 9) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, 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 Airbus service bulletin described previously. Cost Impact The FAA estimates that 24 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,440, or $1,560 per airplane. The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. Regulatory Impact ased on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,440, or $1,560 per airplane. The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 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] 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 98-NM-234-AD. Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes equipped with Air Cruisers emergency evacuation slide/rafts having part numbers (P/N) D30457-Series, serial numbers (S/N) 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or P/N D30477-Series, S/N 4001 through 4211 inclusive, on which the actions described in Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, have been not accomplished; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 (c) 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. d, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 the container release cable of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system from jamming, which could result in the inability to open the emergency exit doors or to correctly deploy the emergency evacuation slide/rafts, and consequent delay or impedance passengers exiting the airplane during an emergency, accomplish the following: (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the emergency evacuation slide/raft system, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-35-0465, dated October 31, 1997. Note 2: The Airbus service bulletin references Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, as an additional source of service information for modifying the emergency evacuation slide/raft system. (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install an evacuation slide/raft system having Air Cruisers P/N D30457- Series, S/N 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or P/N D30477-Series, S/N 4001 through 4211 inclusive, on any airplane, unless the slide/raft system has been modified in accordance with this AD. service information for modifying the emergency evacuation slide/raft system. (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install an evacuation slide/raft system having Air Cruisers P/N D30457- Series, S/N 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or P/N D30477-Series, S/N 4001 through 4211 inclusive, on any airplane, unless the slide/raft system has been modified in accordance with this AD. (c) 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. (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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 directive 98-121-243(B), dated March 11, 1998. Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 10, 1998. Dorenda D. Baker, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 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Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.