AD/EMY/34 Emergency Evacuation Slide/Raft Pressure Relief Valves (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.

Emergency Equipment

AD/EMY/34 Emergency Evacuation
Slide/Raft - Pressure Relief Valves 9/2006

Applicability:

All Goodrich Evacuation Systems approved under Technical Standard Order,
TSO-C69b as installed on Airbus Types A330 and A340 series aircraft.

Requirement:

1.    Perform an inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the pressure relief valve on the Goodrich evacuation systems in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated
July 25, 2005.

2.    If any pressure relief valve having P/N 4A3791-3 is installed, replace the valve with a new or serviceable valve having P/N 4A3641-1 and mark the girt adjacent to the placard, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 2005.

3.    If any pressure release valve having P/N 4A3641-1 is installed, mark the girt adjacent to the placard in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 2005.

4.    Pressure relief valves having P/N 4A3791-3, may not be installed on any aeroplane equipped with Goodrich evacuation systems identified in Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-355, dated July 25, 2005.

Note:  FAA AD 2006-12-08 refers.

Compliance:

1.    For Requirement 1, within 36 months after the effective date of this AD.

2.    For Requirement 2, subsequent to the inspection required by Requirement 1, before further flight.

3.    For Requirement 3, subsequent to the inspection required by Requirement 1, before further flight.

4.    For Requirement 4, from the effective date of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 August 2006.

Background: This AD results from a report indicating that, during maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which caused the pressure in the escape slide/raft to drop below the minimum allowable raft mode pressure.  This AD is issued to prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts during or after an emergency evacuation.  This could result in inadequate buoyancy to support the raft's passenger capacity following a ditching, and increase the chance for injury to passengers.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

19 July 2006