[Federal Register: November 6, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 214)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62568-62570]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06no07-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28882; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-035-AD;
Amendment 39-15247; AD 2007-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Goodrich Evacuation Systems Approved
Under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C69b and Installed on Airbus
Model A330-200 and -300 Series Airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300
Series Airplanes, and Model A340-541 and -642 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved under TSO-
C69b and installed on certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series
airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541
and -642 airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting to determine
the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich
evacuation systems, and corrective action if necessary. For certain
airplanes, this new AD requires an additional inspection to determine
the part number of the pressure relief valves, and corrective action if
necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that, during
maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected
Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which caused
the pressure in the escape slide/raft to drop below the minimum
allowable raft mode pressure. We are issuing this AD
[[Page 62569]]
to prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an
emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to
support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching, and increase the
chance for injury to raft passengers.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 11, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 11,
2007.
On July 17, 2006 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006), the Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Goodrich
Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Goodrich, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: Technical Publications,
3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Ton, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety/Mechanical and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150L, FAA, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5352; fax (562)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2006-12-08, amendment
39-14633 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006). The existing AD applies to
Goodrich evacuation systems approved under Technical Standard Order
(TSO) TSO-C69b and installed on certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300
series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model
A340-541 and -642 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on August 6, 2007 (72 FR 43576). That NPRM proposed to
continue to require inspecting to determine the part number of the
pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems, and
corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, that NPRM also
proposed to require an additional inspection to determine the part
number of the pressure relief valves, and corrective action if
necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or
on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 689 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 27 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The actions that are required by AD 2006-12-08 and retained in this
AD take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80
per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
currently required actions is $2,160, or $80 per airplane.
All airplanes affected by the new required action are currently
operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry. If an affected
airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the
new actions will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of the new actions specified in this AD for U.S. operators is $80
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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
removing amendment 39-14633 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006) and by adding
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2007-23-01 Goodrich (Formerly BF Goodrich): Amendment 39-15247.
Docket No. FAA-2007-28882; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-035-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 11, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-12-08.
[[Page 62570]]
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved
under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C69b, as installed on
Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, -322, -
323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; Model A340-211, -212, -213, -
311, -312, and -313 airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642
airplanes; certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report indicating that, during
maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected
Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which
caused the pressure in the escape slide/raft to drop below the
minimum allowable raft mode pressure. We are issuing this AD to
prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an
emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to
support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching, and increase
the chance for injury to raft passengers.
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.
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006-12-08
Inspection for Certain Part Number (P/N)
(f) For all airplanes: Within 36 months after July 17, 2006 (the
effective date of AD 2006-12-08): Perform an inspection to determine
the part number of the pressure relief valve on the Goodrich
evacuation systems in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25,
2005; or Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July
24, 2006. After the effective date of this AD, only Goodrich Service
Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006, may be used.
(1) If any pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-3 is
installed, before further flight, replace the valve with a new or
serviceable valve having P/N 4A3641-1 and mark the girt adjacent to
the placard, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
the service bulletin.
(2) If any pressure release valve having P/N 4A3641-1 is
installed, before further flight, mark the girt adjacent to the
placard in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
Part Installation for Airplanes Identified in Original Issue of the
Service Bulletin
(g) As of July 17, 2006, no person may install a pressure relief
valve having P/N 4A3791-3, on any airplane equipped with Goodrich
evacuation systems identified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355,
dated July 25, 2005.
New Requirements of This AD
Inspection for Certain Other P/N
(h) For Model A340-541 airplanes: Within 36 months after the
effective date of this AD, perform an inspection to determine the
part number of the pressure relief valve on the Goodrich evacuation
systems in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
(1) If any pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-6 is
installed, before further flight, replace the valve with a new or
serviceable valve having P/N 4A3641-26 and mark the girt adjacent to
the placard, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
the service bulletin.
(2) If any pressure release valve having P/N 4A3641-26 is
installed, before further flight, mark the girt adjacent to the
placard in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
Parts Installation for All Airplanes
(i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-3, on any airplane equipped
with Goodrich evacuation systems identified in Goodrich Service
Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
(j) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-6, on any airplane equipped
with Goodrich evacuation systems identified in Goodrich Service
Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
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.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-12-08
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July
25, 2005; or Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, Revision 1, dated
July 24, 2006; as applicable, to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355,
Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) On July 17, 2006 (71 FR 33606, June 12, 2006), the Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of
Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 2005.
(3) Contact Goodrich, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN:
Technical Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85040,
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 27, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-21685 Filed 11-5-07; 8:45 am]
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