AD 98-23-17

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, that requires modification of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the container release cable of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system from jamming, which could result in the inability to open the emergency exit doors or to correctly deploy the emergency evacuation slide/rafts, and consequent delay or impedance of passengers exiting the airplane during an emergency.

Final rule.

98-23-17 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE: Amendment 39-10885. Docket 98-NM-234-AD.

Applicability: Model A300 series airplanes equipped with Air Cruisers emergency evacuation slide/rafts having part numbers (P/N) D30457-Series, serial numbers (S/N) 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or P/N D30477-Series, S/N 4001 through 4211 inclusive, on which the actions described in Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, have been not accomplished; 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 (c) of this AD. The request should includean 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 request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent the container release cable of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system from jamming, which could result in the inability to open the emergency exit doors or to correctly deploy the emergency evacuation slide/rafts, and consequent delay, or impedance of passengers exiting the airplane during an emergency, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the emergency evacuation slide/raft system, in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-25-0465, dated October 31, 1997.

NOTE 2: The Airbus service bulletin references Air Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. 25-88, Revision 3, dated May 4, 1983, as an additional source of service information for modifying the emergency evacuation slide/raft system.

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install an evacuation slide/raft system having Air Cruisers P/N D30457-Series, S/N 1001 through 2268 inclusive, or P/N D30477-Series, S/N 4001 through 4211 inclusive, on any airplane, unless the slide/raft system has been modified in accordance with this AD.

(c) 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 appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.(d) 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.

(e) The modification shall be done in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-25-0465, dated October 31, 1997. 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 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 98-121-243(B), dated March 11, 1998.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 21,1998.

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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 17, 1998 (63 FR 49677). That action proposed to require modification of the emergency evacuation slide/raft system.

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
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 24 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $37,440, or $1,560 per airplane.

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.

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 "significantregulatory 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive