Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8185-8187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2587]



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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 13, 2008 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 8185]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29336; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-143-AD; 
Amendment 39-15373; AD 2008-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    * * * accidents which occurred to in-service aircraft caused by 
the violent opening of the passenger door related to excessive 
residual pressure in the cabin.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 19, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2007 
(72 FR 55124). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    The present AD requires the flight crew to follow the 
instructions of the ``emergency procedure check of delta P = 0'' of 
the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) at the latest revision date.
    This AD falls within the scope of a set of corrective measures 
developed by AIRBUS subsequent to accidents which occurred to in-
service aircraft caused by the violent opening of the passenger door 
related to excessive residual pressure in the cabin. * * *

    The corrective action is revising the Emergency Procedures sections 
of the AFMs to advise the flightcrew of new procedures for emergency 
evacuation. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in 
the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 238 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $19,040, or $80 per 
product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    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. 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.

[[Page 8186]]

    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-04-01 Airbus: Amendment 39-15373. Docket No. FAA-2007-29336; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-143-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
19, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, all certified models 
and all serial numbers.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21: Air 
conditioning.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    The present AD requires the flight crew to follow the 
instructions of the ``emergency procedure check of delta P = 0'' of 
the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) at the latest revision date.
    This AD falls within the scope of a set of corrective measures 
developed by AIRBUS subsequent to accidents which occurred to in-
service aircraft caused by the violent opening of the passenger door 
related to excessive residual pressure in the cabin. * * *
    The corrective action is revising the Emergency Procedures 
sections of the AFMs to advise the flightcrew of new procedures for 
emergency evacuation.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already done, do the following actions.
    (1) For Model A300 series airplanes without modification 10002 
installed, revise the Emergency Procedures sections of the AFM to 
include the following statement. This may be done by inserting a 
copy of this AD into the AFM.

 
           ``EMERGENCY EVACUATION
 
AIRCRAFT/PARKING BRAKE.....................  Stop/Set.
ATC (VHF 1)................................  Notify.
Cabin crew.................................  Notify.
EMER EXIT LT...............................  ON.
BOTH FUEL LEVERS...........................  OFF.
FIRE handles (ENG and APU).................  Pull.
AGENTS (ENG and APU).......................  as rqrd.
RAM AIR INLET..............................  Open.
Before opening doors:......................
[Delta]P (DIFF PRESS)......................  Check zero.
<bullet> If evacuation required:
    Evacuation.............................  Initiate.
<bullet> If evacuation not required:
    CABIN CREW and PASSENGERS..............  Notify''.
 

    (2) For Model A300 series airplanes on which modification 10002 
is installed, revise the Emergency Procedures sections of the AFM to 
include the following statement. This may be done by inserting a 
copy of this AD into the AFM.

 
     ``EMERGENCY EVACUATION (Mod 10002)
 
AIRCRAFT/PARKING BRAKE.....................  Stop/Set.
ATC (VHF 1)................................  Notify.
Cabin crew.................................  Notify.
EMER EXIT LT...............................  ON.
CL LT......................................  ON.
BOTH FUEL LEVERS...........................  OFF.
FIRE handles (ENG and APU).................  Pull.
AGENTS (ENG and APU).......................  as rqrd.
RAM AIR INLET..............................  Open.
Before opening doors:......................
[Delta]P (DIFF PRESS)......................  Check zero.
<bullet> If evacuation required:
    Evacuation.............................  Initiate.
<bullet> If evacuation not required:
    CABIN CREW and PASSENGERS..............  Notify''.
 

    (3) For Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, revise the 
Emergency Procedures sections of the AFM to include the following 
information. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into 
the AFM.

[[Page 8187]]



``Before opening doors:
<bullet> IF DEPRESS VALVE selected in MAN
 mode:
    --DEPRESS VALVE MAN CLT................  Full Open.
    --[Delta]P (Diff press)................  Check zero.
<bullet> If evacuation required:
    --Evacuation...........................  Initiate.
    --BAT (before leaving A/C).............  OFF/R.
<bullet> If evacuation not required:
    --CABIN CREW and PASSENGERS............  Notify''.
 


    Note 1: When the information described in paragraphs (f)(1), 
(f)(2), or (f)(3) has been included in the general revisions of the 
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the applicable AFM, 
and the copy of the AD may be removed from that AFM.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC 
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Airworthiness Directive 2007-0093 R1, dated April 17, 2007, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 4, 2008.
Kevin Hull,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-2587 Filed 2-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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