AD/A330/71 Slide Rafts Fitted on Type A Doors Modification (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Airbus Industrie A330 Series Aeroplanes

AD/A330/71 Slide Rafts Fitted on Type A
Doors - Modification 2/2007

Applicability:

Airbus A330 Type aircraft equipped with Goodrich Slide Rafts on Type A doors with Part Numbers as listed in EASA AD No. 2006-0354.

Requirement:

Modify slide rafts in accordance with the Airbus Service Bulletins identified in EASA AD No. 2006-0354 as applicable.

Compliance:

At the next slide raft overhaul or within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

36 months after the effective date of this AD, no person may install a Goodrich Slide Raft having a Part Number affected by this directive on an aircraft as a replacement part, unless it has been modified in accordance with the requirements of this directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 February 2007.

Background:

Several operators have reported non-automatic deployment of slide rafts during ground operational test.  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.  This situation, if not corrected, could delay the evacuation of passengers in case of emergency.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

3 January 2007