[Federal Register: June 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 122)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36819-36821]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jn05-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20079; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-147-AD;
Amendment 39-14163; AD 2005-13-26]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 Series
Airplanes; Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R Series Airplanes,
and Model C4-605R Variant F Airplanes (Collectively Called A300-600
Series Airplanes); and Model A310-200 and -300 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus models, as specified above. This AD requires installing
safety signs on all passenger/crew doors, emergency exit doors, and
cargo compartment doors. This AD is prompted by a report of injuries
occurring on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly initiated
opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure causing the
doors to rapidly open. We are issuing this AD to ensure that
crewmembers are informed of the risks associated with forcibly opening
passenger/crew, emergency exit, and cargo doors before an airplane is
fully depressurized, which will prevent injury to crewmembers, and
subsequent damage to the airplane caused by the rapid opening of the
door.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August
1, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20079; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-147-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes;
Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-
605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series
airplanes); and Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. That action,
published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2005 (70 FR 2985),
proposed to require installing safety signs on all passenger/crew
doors, emergency exit doors, and cargo compartment doors.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been
submitted on the proposed AD.
Request To Revise Paragraph (h), Credit for Previous Service Bulletins
One commenter notes that in paragraph (h) of the proposed AD,
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-11-2002 is incorrectly referred to as
Service Bulletin A300-11-2002. We infer that the commenter is
requesting that we correct the typographical error. The commenter also
notes a difference between the French airworthiness directive and the
proposed AD, which could lead to requests for alternative methods of
compliance from operators. The commenter points out that the proposed
AD specifies the use of Service Bulletin A310-11-2002, Revision 03,
dated February 4, 2004, and that actions accomplished before the
effective date of the AD, in accordance with Revision 2, dated January
27, 1995, are acceptable for compliance with the actions specified in
paragraph (g) of the proposed AD. The French airworthiness directive
references Service Bulletin A310-11-2002, or any later approved
revision. The commenter recommends that the original issue and Revision
1 of Service Bulletin A310-11-2002 be included in paragraph (h),
``Credit for Previous Service Bulletins,'' of the proposed AD.
We agree with the commenter's requests and have revised paragraph
(h) of this AD to correct the typographical
[[Page 36820]]
error and to reference the original issue and Revision 1 of Airbus
Service Bulletin A310-11-2002.
Request To Limit Placard Installation and Airplane Applicability
Another commenter suggests that the installation of safety signs be
limited to the main/crew door only, and that airplanes used only for
cargo operations be exempted from the requirements of the proposed AD.
The commenter points out that normal operation of the cargo doors is
restricted to trained crewmembers and maintenance personnel, and the
existing warning signs and crew procedural items have proven effective
in its cargo operations. The commenter states that a history of
flightcrews improperly opening crew doors does not seem to justify
installing additional placards on all cargo doors.
We do not agree with the commenter's requests. Although the
reported accidents occurred when crewmembers forcibly opened passenger/
crew doors, the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile
(DGAC) has notified us that the same unsafe condition also may exist on
emergency exit and cargo doors. We have examined the DGAC findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD parallel to French airworthiness directive F-2004-003,
dated January 7, 2004. We point out that we did not receive similar
comments from other cargo carriers, or any data substantiating that the
commenter's request would ensure continued operational safety of the
affected fleet. However, we will consider alternative methods of
compliance in accordance with paragraph (i) of this AD.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
We have revised the applicability of this AD to identify model
designations as published in the most recent type certificate data
sheet for the affected models.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects about 182 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required
actions take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate
of $65 per work hour. Required parts will be provided at no charge.
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators
is $59,150, or $325 per airplane.
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 have 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 that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to
examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2005-13-26 Airbus: Amendment 39-14163. Docket No. FAA-2005-20079.;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-147-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective August 1, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C,
and B2-203 airplanes; Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203
airplanes; Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes;
Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300 F4-605R and F4-
622R airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; Model A310-
203, -204, -221, and -222 airplanes; and Model A310-304, -322, -324,
and -325 airplanes; certificated in any category; except those
modified in production by either Airbus Modifications 10152 and
10219, or Modifications 8357 and 10151.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of injuries occurring on in-
service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly initiated opening of
passenger/crew doors against residual pressure causing the doors to
rapidly open. We are issuing this AD to ensure that crewmembers are
informed of the risks associated with forcibly opening passenger/
crew, emergency exit, and cargo doors before an airplane is fully
depressurized, which will prevent injury to crewmembers, and
subsequent damage to the airplane caused by the rapid opening of the
door.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Service Bulletin References
(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as
applicable:
(1) For Model A300 B2-1A, B2-1C, B2K-3C, and B2-203 airplanes
and Model A300 B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes: Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-11-0027, Revision 01, dated January 30, 2004;
(2) For Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes;
Model A300 B4-605R and B4-622R airplanes; Model A300 F4-605R and F4-
622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes: Airbus
[[Page 36821]]
Service Bulletin A300-11-6001, Revision 01, dated January 30, 2004;
and
(3) For Model A310-203, -204, -221, and -222 airplanes and Model
A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin
A310-11-2002, Revision 03, dated February 4, 2004.
Install Safety Signs
(g) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD,
install safety signs on the inside and outside of the passenger/crew
doors and emergency exit doors, and on the outside of the cargo
compartment doors, in accordance with the applicable service
bulletin.
Credit for Previous Service Bulletins
(h) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin A300-11-0027, dated October
27, 1993; Airbus Service Bulletin A300-11-6001, dated October 27,
1993; Airbus Service Bulletin A310-11-2002, dated October 27, 1993;
Airbus Service Bulletin A310-11-2002, Revision 1, dated September
28, 1994; or Airbus Service Bulletin A310-11-2002, Revision 2, dated
January 27, 1995; as applicable; are acceptable for compliance with
the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) French airworthiness directive F-2004-003, dated January 7,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use the applicable service information specified in
Table 1 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approves the incorporation by reference of those documents
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies
of the service information, go to Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. To view the AD docket, go to
the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington,
DC. To review copies of the service information, go the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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Revision
Airbus Service Bulletin level Date
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A300-11-0027..................... 01 Jan. 30, 2004.
A300-11-6001..................... 01 Jan. 30, 2004.
A310-11-2002..................... 03 Feb. 4, 2004.
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Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 15, 2005.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-12512 Filed 6-24-05; 8:45 am]
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