[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16304]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 7, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-63-AD; Amendment 39-8965; AD 94-14-17]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320 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 A320 series airplanes, that requires
either the removal of the girt bar visual indicator brackets on
passenger exit doors, or modification of the lanyard connecting the
survival kit to the slide/raft. This amendment is prompted by a report
that, during an emergency evacuation demonstration, the lanyard became
entangled on the girt bar indicator mechanism, and subsequently
prevented an exit door from opening fully to a locked position. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the lanyard from
becoming entangled and interfering with proper opening of the exit
door, a situation which could impede the successful evacuation of
passengers through the door during an overwater operation where
ditching is required.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 8, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Information related to this rulemaking action may be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.
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 A320 series
airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) in the Federal Register on April 25, 1994 (59 FR 19681). That
action proposed to require either the removal of the girt bar visual
indicator brackets on passenger exit doors, or modification of the
lanyard that connects the survival kit to the slide/raft.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Two commenters support the proposal.
One commenters requests that airplanes on which Airbus Industrie
Modification 23605 has been accomplished be excluded from the
applicability of the rule. That modification is described in Airbus
Service Bulletin A320-25-1109, dated April 20, 1993, and entails
removing the girt bar visual indicator brackets (plates) and replacing
them with a red arrow placard that is used to indicate positive girt
bar engagement. (The commenter also states that all Model A320 series
airplanes up to serial number 413 have been delivered with this
modification.) The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. The FAA
addressed Modification 23605 in the preamble to the supplemental NPRM,
and found that, although removal of the brackets will prevent possible
interference between the overwater survival kit lanyard and the slide/
raft decorative cover, the red arrow placard did not provide for an
acceptable means of girt bar position indication. However, since one of
the options for complying with this AD [as provided by paragraph
(a)(1)] is to remove the girt bar visual indicator brackets, the FAA
now considers that airplanes on which Modification 23605 has been
accomplished are in compliance with that paragraph of the rule because
the brackets have been removed on those airplanes. (Whether or not the
red arrow placard, installed as part of Modification 23605, is used to
determine the engagement of the girt bar is of no consequence, since
the girt bar position/arming indicator in the cockpit remains as a
source to obtain positive indication of the position of the girt bar.)
Accordingly, the applicability of the final rule has been revised to
exclude airplanes on which Modification 23605 has been installed.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
This is considered interim action. Airbus Industrie has advised the
FAA that it is developing an alternative method of girt bar position
indication for all Model A320 series airplanes that will not entail a
design feature that would contribute to the addressed problem of
lanyard entanglement. Once this modification is developed, approved,
and available, the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
The FAA estimates that 59 Model A320 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
Accomplishment of the removal of the girt bar visual indicator
brackets will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of this removal action on U.S. operators who elect to
accomplish it is estimated to be $55 per airplane.
The time necessary to accomplish the modification of the lanyard
may vary from operator to operator, depending upon the design submitted
for approval by the FAA. However, the FAA estimates that a typical
modification will require an average of 2 work hours to accomplish, at
an average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of this modification action on U.S. operators who
elect to accomplish it is estimated to be $110 per airplane.
Based on the figures discussed above, the total cost impact of this
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $3,245 and $6,490. This
total cost impact figure 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.
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, 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. 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:
94-14-17 Airbus Industrie: Amendment 39-8965. Docket 93-NM-63-AD.
Applicability: Model A320 series airplanes equipped with slide/
raft evacuation systems; on which Airbus Industrie Modification
23605 (specified in Airbus Service Bulletin A320-25-1109, dated
April 20, 1993) has not been accomplished; certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the lanyard from becoming entangled on the girt bar
indicator mechanism and preventing the exit door from opening
properly if passengers are required to use the exit door during
overwater operations where ditching may be required, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of
this AD:
(1) Remove the girt bar visual indicator brackets (plates) from
all passenger exit doors that are so equipped. Or
(2) Modify the lanyard that attaches the survival kit to the
slide/raft so that it does not become entangled on the girt bar
indicator mechanism, in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate.
(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) 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.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on August 8, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-16304 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]
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