AD 98-06-22

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, that currently requires measurement of the force required to move the interior control handle of the emergency exit doors, and various follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment adds repetitive functional tests to measure the force necessary to move the interior control handle of the emergency exit doors; and requires adjusting an emergency exit door or replacing the bearing of the door lifting mechanism, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of seizure of a bearing and increased door handle forces that were outside the limits of the required hand forces due to seizure of two teflon line bearings on the lifting shaft. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent impeding passenger evacuation during an emergency due to difficulty in lifting the interior control handle that is used to open the emergency exit door.

Final rule.

98-06-22 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10400. Docket 97-NM-77-AD. Supersedes AD 95-08-07, Amendment 39-9196.

Applicability: Model A310 series airplanes, except those airplanes that have been modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST0001NY; certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the requestshould include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent impeding passenger evacuation during an emergency due to difficulty in lifting the interior control handle that is used to open the emergency exit door, accomplish the following:

RESTATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS OF AD 95-08-07, AMENDMENT 39-9196:
(a) Within 60 days after May 2, 1995 (the effective date of AD 95-08-07), measure the amount of force required to move the interior control handle of the emergency exit doors, in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 52 08, Revision 1, dated December 1, 1994.

(b) If the force required to move the interior control handle of the door is equal to or does not exceed 20 daN (45 foot-pounds), no further action is required by this paragraph for that door.

(c) If the force required to move the interior control handle of the door exceeds 20 daN (45 foot-pounds), prior to further flight,perform a full functional test of the emergency exit doors to measure the amount of force required to open the doors, in accordance with the AOT.

(1) If the force required to open the door does not exceed 20 daN (45 foot-pounds), no further action is required by this paragraph for that door.

(2) If the force required to open the door exceeds 20 daN (45 foot-pounds), prior to further flight, perform a visual inspection to detect discrepancies of the mechanism inside the door, in accordance with the AOT.

(i) If no discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, replace seized bearings with new or serviceable bearings, in accordance with AOT.

(ii) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, repair the discrepancy in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

(d) Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the findings of discrepancies to Airbus Industrie, Engineering Services, Attention: Mr. R. Filaquier, AI/SE E121, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

NEW REQUIREMENTS OF THIS AD
(e) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a functional test to measure the force necessary to move the interior control handle of the emergency exit doors, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A310-52-2060, dated July 22, 1996.

(1) If the emergency exit door opens and the force required to move the interior control handle is less than or equal to the limits specified in the service bulletin, repeat the test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 months.

(2) If the emergency exit door does not open or the force required to move the interior control handle is greater than the limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, perform an inspection to detect discrepancies of the mechanisms inside the door, in accordance with the service bulletin.

(i) If no discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, replace the bearings with new bearings, in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 months.

(ii) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, adjust the emergency exit doors in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the test thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 months.

(f) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriateFAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

(g) 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.

(h) The actions shall be done in accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex (AOT) 52 08, Revision 1, dated December 1, 1994; and Airbus Service Bulletin A310-52-2060, dated July 22, 1996.

(1) The incorporation by reference of Airbus Service Bulletin A310-52-2060, dated July 22, 1996, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) The incorporation by reference of Airbus AOT 52 08, Revision 1, dated December 1, 1994, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 2, 1995 (60 FR 19155, April 17, 1995).

(3) Copies may be obtained from Airbus Industrie, 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 96-239- 205(B), dated October 23, 1996.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on April 23, 1998.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 95-08-07, amendment 39-9196 (60 FR 19155, April 17, 1995), which is applicable to all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on October 14, 1997 (62 FR 53269). The action proposed to supersede AD 95-08-07 to continue to require measurement of the force required to move the interior control handle of the emergency exit doors, and various follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. The action also proposed to require repetitive functional tests to measure the force necessary to move the interior control handle of the emergency exit doors; and adjusting an emergency exit door or replacing the bearing of the door lifting mechanism, if necessary.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

Request for Additional Functional Testing
One commenter requests that testing of the force required to open the door be accomplished at least three times during accomplishment of the functional test. The commenter states that this would aid in identifying cases where the door handle force was very close to the limit.

The FAA does not concur with the commenter s request. The procedures described in the referenced service information indicate that the emergency exit door is to be moved at least three times into the closed position, and lifted each time. Additionally, the service information specifies that the operation of the door should be assessed during the lifting process for an aligned movement; since the movement of the interior control handle is smooth, constant hand force is required. In light of this, the FAA finds that the requirements of this AD, as proposed, are adequate to address the identified unsafe condition.

Request for Pre-Flight Checks
The commenter also requests that a requirement be added to the proposal to check the handle force on a pre-flight basis to ensure that the force would not exceed the limit shortly after the inspection is performed. The commenter indicates that the manner in which Teflon bearings fail is gradual.

The FAA does not concur with the commenter s request. In developing the proposed inspection interval of three months, the FAA has determined that this interval is appropriate in light of the safety implications, the average utilization rate of the affected fleet, and the practical aspects of an orderly inspection of the fleet during regular maintenance periods.

Conclusion
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 as proposed.

Cost Impact
There are approximately 6 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The actions that are currently required by AD 95-08-07 take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $360, or $60 per airplane.

The new actions that are required by this new AD will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $360, or $60 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

Regulatory Impact
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 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9196 (60 FR 19155, April 17, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-10400, to read as follows: