[Federal Register: January 19, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 12)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 2985-2987]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ja05-20]
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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]
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);
and Model A310 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus models, as specified above. This proposed AD would
require installing safety signs on all passenger/crew doors, emergency
exit doors, and cargo compartment doors. This proposed 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 proposing
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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 18,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20079;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-147-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
[[Page 2986]]
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
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 DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on 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); and Model A310 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that
accidents occurred on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly
initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure
causing the doors to rapidly open. If cabin crewmembers are not
informed of the risks associated with opening passenger/crew and
emergency exit doors when an airplane is not fully depressurized, they
may attempt to forcibly open the doors. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in injury to crewmembers, and subsequent damage
to the airplane caused by the rapid opening of the door.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued the following service bulletins:
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Airbus model Airbus service bulletin Revision Date
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A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes...... A300-11-0027............ 01 January 30, 2004.
A300-600 airplanes................... A300-11-6001............ 01 January 30, 2004.
A310 series airplanes................ A310-11-2002............ 03 February 4, 2004.
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The service bulletins describe procedures for installing 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. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC
mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness
directive F-2004-003, dated January 7, 2004, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 182 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 5 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $0 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed
regulation:
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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 2987]]
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-20079; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
147-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by February 18, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to 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); and Model A310 series 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 and B4 series airplanes: Airbus Service
Bulletin A300-11-0027, Revision 01, dated January 30, 2004;
(2) For Model A300-600 airplanes: Airbus Service Bulletin A300-
11-6001, Revision 01, dated January 30, 2004; and
(3) For Model A310 series 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; and Airbus Service Bulletin A300-11-2002, 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 6, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-993 Filed 1-18-05; 8:45 am]
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