21164 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 82 / Monday, April 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules 

(6) Each lithium ion battery installation 

must have provisions to prevent any 

hazardous effect on structure or essential 

systems caused by the maximum amount of 

heat the battery can generate during a short 

circuit of the battery or of its individual cells. 

(7) Lithium ion battery installations must 

have a system to control the charging rate of 

the battery automatically, so as to prevent 

battery overheating or overcharging, and, 

(i) A battery temperature sensing and overtemperature warning system with a means for 

automatically disconnecting the battery from 

its charging source in the event of an overtemperature condition, or, 

(ii) A battery failure sensing and warning 

system with a means for automatically 

disconnecting the battery from its charging 

source in the event of battery failure. 

(8) Any lithium ion battery installation 

whose function is required for safe operation 

of the airplane must incorporate a monitoring 

and warning feature that will provide an 

indication to the appropriate flight 

crewmembers whenever the state-of-charge of 

the batteries has fallen below levels 

considered acceptable for dispatch of the 

airplane. 

(9) The Instructions for Continued 

Airworthiness required by 14 CFR 25.1529 

must contain maintenance requirements for 

measurements of battery capacity at 

appropriate intervals to ensure that batteries 

whose function is required for safe operation 

of the airplane will perform their intended 

function as long as the battery is installed in 

the airplane. The Instructions for Continued 

Airworthiness must also contain procedures 

for the maintenance of lithium ion batteries 

in spares storage to prevent the replacement 

of batteries whose function is required for 

safe operation of the airplane with batteries 

that have experienced degraded charge 

retention ability or other damage due to 

prolonged storage at a low state of charge. 

Note: These special conditions are not 

intended to replace 14 CFR 25.1353(c) in the 

certification basis of the Boeing 787–8 

airplane. These special conditions apply only 

to lithium ion batteries and their 

installations. The requirements of 14 CFR 

25.1353(c) remain in effect for batteries and 

battery installations of the Boeing 787–8 

airplane that do not use lithium ion batteries. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 

2007. 

Stephen P. Boyd, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–8186 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–28036; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–278–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330 and A340 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

issued by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as failure of an evacuation 

slide raft to inflate, which could delay 

the evacuation of passengers in case of 

an emergency. The proposed AD would 

require actions that are intended to 

address the unsafe condition described 

in the MCAI. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by May 30, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http:// 

dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions 

for sending your comments 

electronically. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 

Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 

Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–

0001. 

• 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. 

• Federal Rulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 

proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, 

any comments received, and other 

information. The street address for the 

Docket Office (telephone (800) 647–

5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim 

Backman, Aerospace Engineer, ANM–

116, International Branch, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–2797; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Streamlined Issuance of AD 

The FAA is implementing a new 

process for streamlining the issuance of 

ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined 

process will allow us to adopt MCAI 

safety requirements in a more efficient 

manner and will reduce safety risks to 

the public. This process continues to 

follow all FAA AD issuance processes to 

meet legal, economic, Administrative 

Procedure Act, and Federal Register 

requirements. We also continue to meet 

our technical decision-making 

responsibilities to identify and correct 

unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated 

products. 

This proposed AD references the 

MCAI and related service information 

that we considered in forming the 

engineering basis to correct the unsafe 

condition. The proposed AD contains 

text copied from the MCAI and for this 

reason might not follow our plain 

language principles. 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2007–28036; Directorate Identifier 

2006–NM–278–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD because 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 we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2006–0354, 

dated November 28, 2006 (referred to 

after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an 


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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 82 / Monday, April 30, 2007 / Proposed Rules 21165 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states that several 

operators have reported non-automatic 

deployment of slide rafts during ground 

operational testing. In all cases, the slide 

raft released correctly from the door but 

did not inflate automatically. Pulling 

the manual backup handle correctly 

inflated the slide raft. Investigation 

conducted by the slide raft 

manufacturer showed that nonautomatic deployments have two 

potential root causes: 

• Non-opening of the lacing; and 

• Stiffness and stiction (static 

friction) on the painted inflatable 

material. 

This situation, if not corrected, could 

delay the evacuation of passengers in 

case of an emergency. 

A new design solution has been 

developed to ensure the automatic slide 

raft deployment, which consists of: 

• Continuous ‘‘speed lacing’’ cord 

and new soft covers with rounded 

grommets (this modification ensures 

that the lacing opens); 

• A new shorter firing cable, a new 

anchor block for the slide raft packboard 

and a new folding procedure (this 

modification ensures automatic 

deployment regardless of the inflatable 

paint condition). 

Both modifications together ensure 

the automatic deployment function. The 

MCAI requires accomplishment of the 

set of modifications. You may obtain 

further information by examining the 

MCAI in the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Airbus has issued Service Bulletins 

A330–25–3173, A340–25–4191, and 

A340–25–5004, all Revision 01, all 

dated August 2, 2006; and Service 

Bulletins A330–25–3301, A340–25–

4273, and A340–25–5110, all dated 

March 24, 2006. The actions described 

in this service information are intended 

to correct the unsafe condition 

identified in the MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, they have notified us 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all 

information provided by the State of 

Design Authority and determined the 

unsafe condition exists and is likely to 

exist or develop on other products of the 

same type design. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

MCAI or Service Information 

We have reviewed the MCAI and 

related service information and, in 

general, agree with their substance. But 

we might have found it necessary to use 

different words from those in the MCAI 

to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. 

operators and is enforceable. In making 

these changes, we do not intend to differ 

substantively from the information 

provided in the MCAI and related 

service information. 

We might also have proposed 

different actions in this AD from those 

in the MCAI in order to follow FAA 

policies. Any such differences are 

described in a separate paragraph of the 

proposed AD. These requirements, if 

ultimately adopted, will take 

precedence over the actions copied from 

the MCAI. 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we 

estimate that this proposed AD would 

affect about 28 products of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 66 work-hours per product to 

comply with this proposed AD. The 

average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 

Required parts would cost about $3,860 

per product. Based on these figures, we 

estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 

U.S. operators to be $255,920, or $9,140 

per product. 

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 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 this 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 and placed it in the 

AD docket. 

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: 

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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2007–28036; 

Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–278–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments by May 30, 

2007. 

Affected ADs 

(b) The requirements of this AD relate to 

those specified in AD 2006–04–03, 

amendment 39–14484. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330 

and A340 airplanes, certificated in any 

category; except those with the European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) specified 

modifications installed in production, or the 

equivalent service bulletins installed in 

service (as specified in Tables 1 and 2 of this 

AD), provided no slide has been replaced 

since either airplane delivery or service 

bulletin installation, as applicable. 


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TABLE 1.—EXCEPTIONS TO APPLICABILITY

Airplane model Configuration Airbus modifications installed in production 

A330, A340–200, –300 ...................................... With Modification 40161 (optional Type A door 

3).

50806, 50807, 55071, and 55072. 

A330, A340–200, –300 ...................................... Without Modification 40161 (Type 1 door 3) ... 50806 and 55071. 

A340–500 ........................................................... ........................................................................... Either 50806, 50807, and 55071, or 50806 

and 55071. 

A340–600 ........................................................... ........................................................................... 50806, 50808, 55071, and 55073. 

TABLE 2.—EXCEPTIONS TO APPLICABILITY

Airplane model Airbus Service Bulletins installed in service 

A330 ............................................ A330–25–3173, Revision 01, dated August 2, 2006; and A330–25–3301, dated March 24, 2006. 

A340–200, –300 .......................... A340–25–4191, Revision 01, dated August 2, 2006; and A340–25–4273, dated March 24, 2006. 

A340–500, –600 .......................... A340–25–5004, Revision 01, dated August 2, 2006; and A340–25–5110, dated March 24, 2006. 

Reason 

(d) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) states that 

several operators have reported nonautomatic deployment of slide rafts during 

ground operational testing. In all cases, the 

slide raft released correctly from the door but 

did not inflate automatically. Pulling the 

manual backup handle correctly inflated the 

slide raft. Investigation conducted by the 

slide raft manufacturer showed that nonautomatic deployments have two potential 

root causes: Non-opening of the lacing; and 

stiffness and stiction (static friction) on the 

painted inflatable material. This situation, if 

not corrected, could delay the evacuation of 

passengers in case of an emergency. A new 

design solution has been developed to ensure 

the automatic slide raft deployment, which 

consists of: continuous ‘‘speed lacing’’ cord 

and new soft covers with rounded grommets 

(this modification ensures that the lacing 

opens); and a new shorter firing cable, a new 

anchor block for the slide raft packboard and 

a new folding procedure (this modification 

ensures automatic deployment regardless of 

the inflatable paint condition). Both 

modifications together ensure the automatic 

deployment function. The MCAI requires 

accomplishment of the set of modifications. 

Actions and Compliance 

(e) Unless already done, do the following 

actions. 

(1) For slide raft P/Ns 7A1508–003/–005/ 

–007/–023/–025/–027/–029/–115; P/Ns 

7A1539–003/–004/–005/–006/–007/–008/ 

–023/–024/–025/–026/–027/–028/–029/–030/ 

–115/ –116; P/Ns 7A1510–003/–004/–005/–

006/–007/–008/–023/–024/–025/–026/–027/ 

–028/–029/ –030/–115/–116; and P/Ns 

4A3934–1/–2/–001/–002: No later than 36 

months after the effective date of this AD, 

modify the slide raft in accordance with the 

instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin 

A330–25–3173, A340–25–4191, or A340–25–

5004, all Revision 01, all dated August 2, 

2006; as applicable; and modify the slide raft 

assembly of each door in accordance with the 

instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin 

A330–25–3301, A340–25–4273, or A340–25–

5110, all dated March 24, 2006; as applicable. 

(2) For slide raft P/Ns 7A1508–033/–035/ 

–037/–119/–121; P/Ns 7A1539–033/–034/ 

–035/–036/–037/ 

–038/–119/–120/–121/–122; P/Ns 7A1510–

033/–034/–035/–036/–037/–038/ –119/–120/ 

–121/–122; and P/Ns 4A3934–5/–6/–7/–8: No 

later than 36 months after the effective date 

of this AD, modify the slide raft assembly of 

each door in accordance with the 

instructions given in Airbus Service Bulletin 

A330–25–3301, A340–25–4273, or A340–25–

5110, all dated March 24, 2006; as applicable. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/ 

or service information as follows: No 

differences. 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(f) The following provisions also apply to 

this AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Tim Backman, 

Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98057–3356, has the 

authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 

requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. Before using any AMOC approved 

in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane 

to which the AMOC applies, notify the 

appropriate principal inspector in the FAA 

Flight Standards Certificate Holding District 

Office. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any 

reporting requirement in this AD, under the 

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

has approved the information collection 

requirements and has assigned OMB Control 

Number 2120–0056. 

Related Information 

(g) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2006–0354, dated November 28, 

2006; and the Airbus Service Bulletins 

specified in Table 3 of this AD for related 

information. 

TABLE 3.—AIRBUS SERVICE BULLETINS

Service Bulletin 

Revision 

level 

Date 

A330–25–3173 01 ........ August 2, 2006. 

A340–25–4191 01 ........ August 2, 2006. 

A340–25–5004 01 ........ August 2, 2006. 

A330–25–3301 Original March 24, 2006. 

A340–25–4273 Original March 24, 2006. 

A340–25–5110 Original March 24, 2006. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 

2007. 

Stephen P. Boyd, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–8172 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–28035; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–293–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 767 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Boeing Model 767 airplanes. 

This proposed AD would require sealing 

certain fasteners and stiffeners in the 

fuel tank, and changing certain wire 

bundle clamp configurations on the fuel 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSAL