70366 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0640; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–203–AD; Amendment 

39–17256; AD 2012–22–18] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Airbus Model A330–243, –243F, –341, 

–342, and –343 airplanes equipped with 

Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. This AD 

was prompted by reports of extensive 

damage to engine air intake cowls as a 

result of acoustic panel collapse. This 

AD requires repetitive inspections of the 

three inner acoustic panels of both 

engine air intake cowls to detect 

disbonding, and corrective actions if 

necessary. We are issuing this AD to 

detect and correct disbonding, which 

could result in detachment of the engine 

air intake cowl from the engine leading 

to ingestion of parts, which could cause 

failure of the engine, and possible injury 

to persons on the ground. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

December 31, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of December 31, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1138; 

fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on June 21, 2012 (77 FR 37344). 

That NPRM proposed to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

Two operators of A330 aeroplanes fitted 

with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines reported 

finding extensive damage to engine air intake 

cowls as a result of acoustic panel collapse, 

most probably caused by panel disbonding. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to the detachment of 

the engine air intake cowl from the engine, 

possibly resulting in ingestion of parts by, 

and consequence damage to, the engine, or 

injury to persons on the ground. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)] 

AD requires repetitive special detailed 

inspections (tap tests) of the 3 inner acoustic 

panels of both engine air intake cowls to 

detect any disbonding and, depending on 

findings, applicable corrective actions. 

The unsafe condition is detachment of 

the engine air intake cowl from the 

engine, which could result in ingestion 

of parts causing failure of the engine, 

and possible injury to persons on the 

ground. Corrective actions include 

repair or replacement of the affected 

engine air intake cowl. You may obtain 

further information by examining the 

MCAI in the AD docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

considered the comments received. 

Request To Change Unsafe Condition 

Statement 

Airbus stated that the MCAI does not 

refer to reduced controllability of the 

airplane as a potential consequence, but 

to injury to persons on the ground. 

We infer that the commenter requests 

that we modify the unsafe condition 

statement specified in the NPRM (77 FR 

37344, June 21, 2012). We agree to 

change the unsafe condition statement 

in the AD to remove the reference to 

reduced airplane controllability. We 

have changed the AD accordingly. 

Request To Delete References to Airbus 

Service Information Appendices 

US Airways requested that we delete 

references to Appendices 01 and 02 of 

Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A330–71–3024, Revision 01, dated 

September 27, 2011, in paragraph (h) 

and in other locations of the NPRM (77 

FR 37344, June 21, 2012). US Airways 

stated that Appendix 01 of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–71– 

3024, Revision 01, dated September 27, 

2011, is simply a form that reports 

inspection results to Airbus, and it does 

not recommend mandating an 

administrative action that is related to 

the safety aspect of inspecting the inlet 

cowl. US Airways stated that 

accomplishing this reporting task is 

burdensome and does not improve the 

safety aspects of the inlet cowl 

inspection. US Airways stated that 

Appendix 02 of Airbus Mandatory 

Service Bulletin A330–71–3024, 

Revision 01, dated September 27, 2011, 

is simply a Gantt chart outlining 

potential man hours and aircraft 

downtime needed to complete the 

inspection. 

We agree to clarify the AD. There are 

no references to Appendix 01 and/or 

Appendix 02 of Airbus Mandatory 

Service Bulletin A330–71–3024, 

Revision 01, dated September 27, 2011, 

in paragraph (h) or any other regulatory 

section of the AD. However, we have 

revised the references to this service 

information in paragraphs (g), (h), (l), 

and (m) of this AD to exclude 

Appendices 01 through 03, because the 

information provided in those 

appendices is not necessary to 

accomplish the requirements of this AD. 

We consider Appendix 03 of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–71– 

3024, Revision 01, dated September 27, 

2011, unnecessary to accomplish the 

requirements of this AD, because it is a 

Gantt chart outlining elapsed time 

assumptions for the actions described in 

that service information. 

Request To Delete References to RollsRoyce Service Information Appendix 

US Airways requested that we state in 

the NPRM (77 FR 37344, June 21, 2012) 

that Appendix 1 of Rolls-Royce NonModification Service Bulletin RB.211– 

71–AG419, Revision 1, dated May 10, 

2011, does not need to be accomplished. 

US Airways stated that Appendix 1 of 

Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, 

dated May 10, 2011, noted that 

accomplishing of this service 

information should be marked on the 

engine air inlet cowl label plate and that 

Rolls-Royce and/or Bombardier should 

be notified of the inspection results. US 

Airways stated that it, and most other 

operators/carriers in the world, use an 

electronic database to issue, track, and 

record mandatory inspections on their 

airplanes, and, consequently, there is no 

need to mandate marking the inspection 

service information reference on the 

inlet cowl label plate. US Airways also 

stated that notification of a Rolls-Royce 

or Bombardier representative is 

burdensome and does not improve the 

safety aspects of the inlet cowl 

inspection. 

We partially agree. We do not agree to 

remove the reference to Appendix 1 of 

Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, 

dated May 10, 2011, because Item 1 of 

Appendix 1 specifies that 

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accomplishment of this service 

information should be marked on the 

engine air inlet cowl label plate using 

metal stamp, vibro etch, or electro etch 

on the engine air intake cowl 

modification plate. Not all operators use 

an electronic data base to track 

inspections. In case of the airplane 

transfer to another operator, this 

marking will ensure the evidence of the 

accomplishment of required actions. We 

agree that Items 2 and 3 of Appendix 1 

of Rolls-Royce Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, 

Revision 1, dated May 10, 2011, which 

specify reporting, are not necessary. We 

have added new paragraph (j) to this AD 

to specify that the reporting specified in 

Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, 

including Appendix 1, dated May 10, 

2011, is not required by this AD, and 

have re-identified subsequent 

paragraphs accordingly. We have also 

revised paragraph (i) of this AD to 

include the paragraph (j) exclusion. 

Request To Specify Revised Service 

Information 

US Airways requested that we revise 

paragraph (i) of the NPRM (77 FR 37344, 

June 21, 2012) to specify Rolls-Royce 

Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, 

including Appendix 1, dated May 10, 

2011, as the correct service information. 

We agree to revise the reference to 

Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, 

including Appendix 1, dated May 10, 

2011, to correctly identify that 

document as Revision 1. We have 

changed paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(1)(i), 

(i)(1)(ii), (i)(1)(iii), (i)(2), and (l)(1)(ii) 

(paragraph (k)(1)(ii) of the NPRM (77 FR 

37344, June 21, 2012)), of the AD to 

correctly reference Rolls-Royce NonModification Service Bulletin RB.211– 

71–AG419, Revision 1, including 

Appendix 1, dated May 10, 2011. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the changes described previously 

and minor editorial changes. We have 

determined that these changes: 

• Are consistent with the intent that 

was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 

37344, June 21, 2012) for correcting the 

unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 37344, 

June 21, 2012). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

22 products of U.S. registry. We also 

estimate that it will take about 20 workhours per product to comply with the 

basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to 

be $37,400, or $1,700 per product. 

In addition, we estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions would take 

up to 34 work-hours, for a cost of $2,890 

per product. We have received no 

definitive data that would enable us to 

provide parts cost estimates for the oncondition actions specified in this AD. 

We have no way of determining the 

number of products that may need these 

actions. 

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 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 the 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in 

Alaska; and 

4. 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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains the NPRM (77 FR 37344, June 

21, 2012), the regulatory evaluation, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street address for the 

Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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: 

2012–22–18 Airbus: Amendment 39–17256. 

Docket No. FAA–2012–0640; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–203–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective December 31, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330– 

243, -243F, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; 

certificated in any category; all manufacturer 

serial numbers; equipped with Rolls-Royce 

Trent 700 engines. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 71, Powerplant. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

extensive damage to engine air intake cowls 

as a result of acoustic panel collapse. We are 

issuing this AD to detect and correct 

disbonding, which could result in 

detachment of the engine air intake cowl 

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70368 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

from the engine leading to ingestion of parts, 

which could cause failure of the engine, and 

possible injury to persons on the ground. 

(f) Compliance 

You are responsible for having the actions 

required by this AD performed within the 

compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

(g) Repetitive Detailed Inspection 

At the applicable compliance time 

specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this 

AD: Do a tap test inspection of the three 

inner acoustic panels of each engine air 

intake cowl for disbonding, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–71– 

3024, Revision 01, excluding Appendices 01 

through 03, dated September 27, 2011. 

Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 24 months, except as required 

by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD. 

(1) For an engine air intake cowl that has 

accumulated less than 5,000 total flight 

cycles or less than 20,000 total flight hours, 

whichever occurs first, since its first 

installation on an airplane as of the effective 

date of this AD: Within 24 months after the 

engine air intake cowl has accumulated 5,000 

total flight cycles or 20,000 total flight hours, 

whichever occurs first, since its first 

installation on an airplane. 

(2) For an engine air intake cowl that has 

accumulated 5,000 or more total flight cycles 

or 20,000 or more total flight hours, 

whichever occurs first, since its first 

installation on an airplane as of the effective 

date of this AD: Within 24 months after the 

effective date of this AD. 

(h) Inspection of Replaced Engine Air Intake 

Cowl 

For airplanes on which an engine air intake 

cowl is replaced after the effective date of 

this AD, at the applicable compliance time 

specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this 

AD: Do a tap test inspection for disbonding 

of the three inner acoustic panels of the 

affected engine air intake cowl for 

disbonding, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–71–3024, 

Revision 01, excluding Appendices 01 

through 03, dated September 27, 2011. 

Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 

not to exceed 24 months. 

(1) Within 24 months after the engine air 

intake cowl accumulates 5,000 total flight 

cycles or 20,000 total flight hours, whichever 

occurs first, since its first installation on any 

airplane, except as required by paragraph 

(h)(2) of this AD. 

(2) Before installation, if an engine air 

intake cowl has accumulated 5,000 or more 

total flight cycles or 20,000 or more total 

flight hours, whichever occurs first, since its 

first installation on any airplane, and which 

has not been inspected in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Mandatory Service Bulletin A330–71–3024, 

Revision 01, excluding Appendices 01 

through 03, dated September 27, 2011, 

within the preceding 24 months. 

(i) Corrective Actions 

(1) If any disbonding is found during any 

inspection required by this AD, and the 

findings are within the permitted allowable 

damage limits (ADLs) specified in RollsRoyce Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, including 

Appendix 1, dated May 10, 2011, except as 

specified in paragraph (j) of this AD: Do the 

actions specified in paragraph (i)(1)(i), 

(i)(1)(ii), or (i)(1)(iii) of this AD. 

(i) Repeat the tap test inspection required 

by paragraph (g) of this AD at the applicable 

inspection interval specified in Rolls-Royce 

Non-Modification Service Bulletin RB.211– 

71–AG419, Revision 1, including Appendix 

1, dated May 10, 2011, except as specified in 

paragraph (j) of this AD, until the actions 

required by paragraph (i)(1)(ii) or (i)(1)(iii) of 

this AD are accomplished. 

(ii) Repair the affected engine air intake 

cowl before further flight, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of RollsRoyce Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, including 

Appendix 1, dated May 10, 2011, except as 

specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Repeat 

the inspection specified in paragraph (g) of 

this AD thereafter at the applicable 

compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of 

this AD. 

(iii) Replace the affected engine air intake 

cowl before further flight, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of RollsRoyce Non-Modification Service Bulletin 

RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, including 

Appendix 1, dated May 10, 2011, except as 

specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Repeat 

the inspection specified in paragraph (g) of 

this AD thereafter at the applicable 

compliance time specified in paragraph (g) of 

this AD. 

(2) If any disbonding is found during any 

inspection required by this AD, and the 

findings are not within the permitted ADLs 

specified in Rolls-Royce Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 

1, including Appendix 1, dated May 10, 

2011, except as specified in paragraph (j) of 

this AD: Before further flight, replace the 

affected engine air intake cowl, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, 

including Appendix 1, dated May 10, 2011, 

except as specified in paragraph (j) of this 

AD. Repeat the inspection specified in 

paragraph (g) of this AD thereafter at the 

applicable compliance time specified in 

paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(j) No Reporting Requirement 

Although Rolls-Royce Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 

1, including Appendix 1, dated May 10, 

2011, specifies to submit certain information 

to the manufacturer, this AD does not 

include that requirement. 

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone (425) 227–1138; fax (425) 227– 

1149. Information may be emailed to: 9- 

ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(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. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation 

Safety Agency Airworthiness 

Directive 2011–0173, dated September 13, 

2011, and the service information specified 

in paragraphs (l)(1)(i) and (l)(1)(ii) of this AD, 

for related information. 

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A330–71–3024, Revision 01, excluding 

Appendices 01 through 03, dated September 

27, 2011. 

(ii) Rolls-Royce Non-Modification Service 

Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, Revision 1, 

including Appendix 1, dated May 10, 2011. 

(2) For Airbus service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus 

SAS—Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 

Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 

Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 

61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.330-A3A40@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. For 

Rolls-Royce service information 

identified in this AD, contact RollsRoyce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 

8BJ, England; telephone 011 44 1332 

242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936; 

Internet https://www.aeromanager.com. 

You may review copies of the 

referenced service information at the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 425–227– 

1221. 

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal 

Register approved the incorporation by 

reference (IBR) of the service 

information listed in this paragraph 

under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 227 / Monday, November 26, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 70369 

(2) You must use this service 

information as applicable to do the 

actions required by this AD, unless the 

AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Airbus Mandatory Service Bulletin 

A330–71–3024, Revision 01, excluding 

Appendices 01 through 03, dated 

September 27, 2011. 

(ii) Rolls-Royce Non-Modification 

Service Bulletin RB.211–71–AG419, 

Revision 1, including Appendix 1, dated 

May 10, 2011. 

(3) For Airbus service information 

identified in this AD, contact Airbus 

SAS—Airworthiness Office—EAL, 1 

Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 

Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 

61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; email 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. For 

Rolls-Royce service information 

identified in this AD, contact RollsRoyce plc, P.O. Box 31, Derby, DE24 

8BJ, England; telephone 011 44 1332 

242424; fax 011 44 1332 249936; 

Internet https://www.aeromanager.com. 

(4) You may review copies of the 

service information at the FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

(5) You may view this service 

information that is incorporated by 

reference 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 

31, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–28422 Filed 11–23–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0676; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–182–AD; Amendment 

39–17266; AD 2012–23–10] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and 

A321 series airplanes. This AD was 

prompted by reports of the escape slide 

of the raft inflation system not 

deploying when activated due to the 

rotation of the cable guide in a direction 

which resulted in jamming of the 

inflation control cable. This AD requires 

modifying the affected slide rafts. We 

are issuing this AD to prevent nondeployment of the inflation system of 

the escape slide raft, which could result 

in delayed evacuation from the airplane 

during an emergency, and consequent 

injury to the passengers. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

December 31, 2012. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of December 31, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1405; fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on July 2, 2012 (77 FR 39186). 

That NPRM proposed to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 

states: 

Two occurrences on Airbus A320 

aeroplanes have been reported where the 

escape slide raft inflation system did not 

deploy when activated, due to the rotation of 

the cable guide in a direction which resulted 

in jamming of the inflation control cable. 

Additionally, there has been one reported 

case where the system did not deploy 

properly due to a cracked inflation hose 

fitting. 

Investigation conducted by the slide raft 

manufacturer showed that the hose fitting 

could be subject to a bending moment if 

improperly packed. Subsequently, the hose 

fitting could separate from the reservoir and 

the inflation of the slide raft may be 

impaired. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

delay the evacuation from the aeroplane in 

case of emergency, possibly resulting in 

injury to the occupants. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)] 

AD requires modification of the affected slide 

rafts or [optional] replacement thereof with 

modified units. 

* * * * * 

The modification includes installing a 

cable guide adaptor, an anti-rotation 

bracket, and a new hose assembly. You 

may obtain further information by 

examining the MCAI in the AD. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

considered the comments received. 

United Airlines (UAL) supports the 

compliance time of 36 months after the 

effective date of this AD. 

Request To Clarify Concurrent 

Requirements 

UAL requested we highlight that Air 

Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B.A320 004– 

25–85 has a concurrent requirement to 

accomplish Air Cruisers Service 

Bulletin S.B.A320 004–25–56. UAL 

stated that it would like to receive a 

confirmation that Air Cruisers Service 

Bulletin S.B.A320 004–25–56 must also 

be accomplished to comply with the 

proposed AD (77 FR 39186, July 2, 

2012). 

We agree with UAL’s comment. For 

the optional replacement in paragraph 

(h) of this final rule, we have clarified 

that the concurrent requirement 

specified in paragraph 1.B. of Air 

Cruisers Service Bulletin S.B. A320 

004–25–85, Revision 2, dated January 3, 

2012, is necessary. We have revised 

paragraphs (h), (j)(1), and (j)(2) in this 

final rule accordingly. 

Request To Remove the Parts 

Installation Limitation in Paragraph 

(j)(1) of the Proposed AD (77 FR 39186, 

July 2, 2012) 

UAL requested that the parts 

installation limitation in paragraph (j)(1) 

of the proposed AD (77 FR 39186, July 

2, 2012) be removed. UAL stated that 

the proposed requirement will remove 

the operator’s flexibility to replace a 

post-AD part number with a pre-AD part 

number prior to the AD limit. UAL 

stated that, after the proposed AD 

effective date, it agrees that any new 

slide-rafts released by the home shop 

should have the AD requirements 

incorporated to prevent unit on-wing 

installation beyond the AD limit, but 

not on the ones currently installed onwing. UAL stated that it believes the 

intent of the proposed AD is to 

eliminate pre-AD part numbers after 36 

months of the effective date. 

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