[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5701]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 22, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-225-AD; Amendment 39-8855; AD 94-06-07]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A300 and A310
Series Airplanes Equipped with BFGoodrich Evacuation Systems
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 and A310 series airplanes. This
action requires modification of the evacuation system regulator
assembly in certain escape slides and slide/rafts installed on these
airplanes. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the
evacuation system regulator assembly functioned inappropriately, and
cases of the evacuation system inflating when the regulator safety pin
was removed. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
delayed or inadvertent inflation of an evacuation system, which could
delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency, and
to prevent possible injury to ground personnel during installation of
the evacuation system.
DATES: Effective April 6, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 6, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before May 23, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-225-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, Sustaining
Engineering, Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This information
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East
Spring Street, Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East
Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-
5338; fax (310) 988-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has been advised that, under certain
circumstances, the regulator valve (part number 4A3168-1, -2, -3, -4,
or -6) of certain BFGoodrich evacuation systems that are installed on
Airbus Model A300 and A310 series airplanes may function in a delayed
manner. There also have been two occurrences of the evacuation system
units inflating when the regulator safety pin was removed. Reports have
indicated that, when the regulator safety pin is installed, it is
possible to move the firing lanyard in such a way that the unit will
not fire at that time, but may fire at a time when the evacuation
system is being installed on the airplane when the safety pin is
removed. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in delayed or
inadvertent inflation of an evacuation system, which could delay or
impede the evacuation of passengers during an emergency. These
conditions could also result in the injury of ground personnel during
installation of the evacuating system on the airplane.
The FAA has reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-
262, dated February 18, 1994, that describes procedures for modifying
the evacuation system regulator assembly to ensure consistent
operation. This modification consists of substituting Parker ``Super-O-
Lube'' for the current lubricant; installing an actuator with improved
geometry and a cocking arm having a return spring; replacing the
compression spring; and replacing the temperature compensator. The
modification procedures also include relocating the safety pin hole to
prevent the firing lanyard from being pulled while the valve is secured
(saftied).
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable
bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to ensure the proper inflation of the evacuation system
during an emergency evacuation. This AD requires modification of the
evacuation system regulator assembly. The actions are required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
There currently are no Model A300 or A310 series airplanes equipped
with the subject BFGoodrich evacuation systems 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 6 work hours per slide and 11
work hours per slide/raft to accomplish the required actions, at an
average labor charge of $55 per work hour. Model A300 series airplanes
are usually equipped with 2 slides and 6 slide/rafts of the affected
models; Model A310 series airplanes are usually equipped with 2 slides
and 4 slide/rafts of the affected models. Required parts would cost
approximately $1,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of this AD would be between $4,280 and $5,490 per airplane.
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
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 under the caption
``ADDRESSES.'' All communications received on or before the closing
date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in
light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD 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 93-NM-225-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-06-07 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8855. Docket 93-NM-225-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 and A310 series airplanes; equipped
with BFGoodrich evacuation slides and slide/rafts with regulator
valves having part number 4A3168-1, -2, -3, -4, or -6; certificated
in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent delayed or inadvertent inflation of the evacuation
system, which could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers
during an emergency, and to prevent possible injury to ground
personnel during installation of the evacuation system, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the escape slide regulator assembly in accordance with BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 25-262, dated February 18, 1994.
(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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), 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, Los Angeles ACO.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be
accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 25-262, dated February 18, 1994. 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 BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems,
Sustaining Engineering, Department 7916, 3414 South 5th Street,
Phoenix, Arizona 85040 BFGoodrich, 3414. Copies may be inspected at
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street,
Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 6, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 7, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5701 Filed 3-21-94; 8:45 am]
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