[Federal Register: July 1, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 126)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 39835-39837]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy04-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-274-AD; Amendment 39-13701; AD 2004-13-19]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; Model
A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (Collectively
Called A300-600); and Model A310 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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[[Page 39836]]
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; Model A300 B4-
600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-
600); and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection
to determine the part number of certain passenger/crew escape slides;
and related investigative action and corrective action, if necessary.
This action is necessary to prevent the failure of an escape slide to
deploy during emergency evacuation, which could impede an evacuation
and result in injury to flightcrew and passengers. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective August 5, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Airbus, 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 National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; 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 A300 B2 and
A300 B4; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R
(collectively called A300-600); and Model A310 series airplanes was
published in the Federal Register on May 3, 2004 (69 FR 24099). That
action proposed to require an inspection to determine the part number
of certain passenger/crew escape slides; and related investigative
action and corrective action, 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
We have determined that air safety and the public interest require
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 202 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by
this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $195 per slide.
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. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct
effect 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, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
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
0
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
0
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]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-13-19 Airbus: Amendment 39-13701. Docket 2003-NM-274-AD.
Applicability: Model A300 B2 and A300 B4; Model A300 B4-600, B4-
600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-600R (collectively called A300-600);
and Model A310 series airplanes; equipped with Goodrich escape
slides; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the failure of an escape slide to deploy during
emergency evacuation, which could impede an evacuation and result in
injury to flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the following:
Service Bulletin Reference
(a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as
applicable:
(1) For Model A300 B2 and A300 B4 series airplanes: Airbus
Service Bulletin A300-25A0475, dated October 3, 2003;
(2) For Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, C4-605R Variant F, and F4-
600R (collectively called A300-600) series airplanes: Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-25A6184, dated October 3, 2003; and
(3) For Model A310 series airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin
A310-25A2165, dated October 3, 2003.
Note 1: These service bulletins reference Goodrich Alert Service
Bulletin 7A1296/7A1298-25A345, dated October 15, 2003, as an
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the
inspection and modification.
Inspections and Corrective Action
(b) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Do an
inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the passenger/crew
door escape slides. If any Goodrich P/N 7A1298-001, 7A1298-002,
7A1296-001, or 7A1296-002 is found during the inspection, prior to
further flight, do the related investigative action, any applicable
[[Page 39837]]
corrective action, and replace the slide with a new or modified
slide which has a girt with the correct P/N. Do all actions per the
applicable service bulletin.
Parts Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane a Goodrich escape slide having P/N 7A1298-001,
7A1298-002, 7A1296-001, or 7A1296-002, unless the related
investigative action and any applicable corrective action has been
done per paragraph (b) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-25A0475, dated October 3, 2003; Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-25A6184, dated October 3, 2003; or Airbus Service
Bulletin A310-25A2165, dated October 3, 2003; 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, 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 National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive F-2003-435, dated December 10, 2003.
Effective Date
(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 5, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 18, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14574 Filed 6-30-04; 8:45 am]
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