Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17006 · Emergency equipment
Goodrich Evacuation Systems Approved Under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C69b and Installed on Airbus Airplanes
This AD applies to Goodrich evacuation systems approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C69b, as installed on the Airbus airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD.
(1) Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, -343, -223F, and -243F airplanes, as identified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 7A1508/09/10/39-25-373, Revision 3, dated March 30, 2011.
(2) Model A340-211, -212, -213, -311, -312, and -313 airplanes, as identified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 7A1508/09/10/39-25-373, Revision 3, dated March 30, 2011.
(3) Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes, as identified in Goodrich Service Bulletins 7A1508/09/10/39-25-373, Revision 3, dated March 30, 2011; and 4A3928/4A3934-25-374, Revision 2, dated March 30, 2011.
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Goodrich Evacuation Systems approved under TSO TSO-C69b and installed on Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-500 and -600 series 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. This new AD requires inspecting to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems and replacing certain pressure relief valves, and adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports that during workshop testing, certain pressure relief valves, which were required by the existing AD, did not seal and allowed the pressure in certain slides/ rafts to fall below the minimum raft mode pressure for the unit. 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.
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the evacuation systems to determine whether any pressure relief valve having part number (P/N) 4A3641-1, 4A3791-3, 4A3641-26, or 4A3791-6 is installed. A review of airplane maintenance records or the system identification placard on the girt is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the pressure relief valve can be conclusively determined from that review.
If any valve having P/N 4A3641-1, 4A3791-3, 4A3641-26, or 4A3791-6 is identified during the inspection or review specified in paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, do the applicable actions required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD:
(1) Replace all pressure relief valves having P/Ns 4A3641-1 and 4A3791-3 with pressure relief valves having P/N 115815-1, and mark the system identification placard on the girt, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 7A1508/09/10/39-25-373, Revision 3, dated March 30, 2011.
(2) Replace all pressure relief valves having P/Ns 4A3641-26 and 4A3791-6 with pressure relief valves having P/N 115815-1 (for evacuation systems having P/N 4A3934 series units) or 115815-2 (for evacuation systems having P/N 4A3928 series units); and mark the system identification placard on the girt; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 4A3928/4A3934-25-374, Revision 2, dated March 30, 2011.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3641-1, 4A3791-3, 4A3641-26, or 4A3791-6 in the evacuation system on any airplane.
