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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39835-39837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14574]


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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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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