AD 2007-16-06 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 Series Airplanes; and Model A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 Series Airplanes

Models named: A330-200, A330-300 series, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Airbus Model A330-200 and A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes, certificated in any category; all certified models, all serial numbers; 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. 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 All Either 50806, 50807, and 55071, or 50806 and 55071. A340-600 All 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 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 non-automatic 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.

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) For slide raft part numbers (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, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149. 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. (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. A330-25-3301 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-4191 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-4273 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-5004 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-5110 Original March 24, 2006. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use the service information specified in Table 4 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point, Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. (3) 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. Table 4.—Material Incorporated by Reference Service Bulletin Revision Date A330-25-3173 01 August 2, 2006. A330-25-3225 01 September 30, 2004. A330-25-3301 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-4191 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-4228 01 September 30, 2004. A340-25-4273 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-5004 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-5054 Original August 2, 2004. A340-25-5110 Original March 24, 2006. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-15413 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) For slide raft part numbers (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, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2797; fax (425) 227-1149. 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. (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. A330-25-3301 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-4191 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-4273 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-5004 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-5110 Original March 24, 2006. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use the service information specified in Table 4 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Airbus, 1 Rond Point, Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. (3) 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. Table 4.—Material Incorporated by Reference Service Bulletin Revision Date A330-25-3173 01 August 2, 2006. A330-25-3225 01 September 30, 2004. A330-25-3301 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-4191 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-4228 01 September 30, 2004. A340-25-4273 Original March 24, 2006. A340-25-5004 01 August 2, 2006. A340-25-5054 Original August 2, 2004. A340-25-5110 Original March 24, 2006. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-15413 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P