[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5702]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-82-AD; Amendment 39-8856; AD 94-06-08]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 707 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to Boeing Model 707 series airplanes, that requires the 
incorporation of a certain structural modification of the wing front 
spar lower chord. This amendment is prompted by an evaluation and 
recommendation by the Airworthiness Assurance Task Force to mandate the 
actions described in certain Boeing service bulletins as part of the 
``Aging Airplane Structural Modification Program.'' The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural 
integrity of the wing. The actions also reflect the FAA's decision that 
long term continued operational safety should be assured by actual 
modification of the airframe rather than repetitive inspections.

DATES: Effective April 21, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at Boeing 
Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Forde, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2771; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to Boeing Model 707 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on September 7, 1993 (58 FR 47085). That action 
proposed to require incorporation of a certain structural modification 
of the wing front spar lower chord.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    -One commenter supports the proposal.
    -Another commenter requests that the structural inspections and 
modifications referenced in sections A.3 and A.4 of appendix A of 
Boeing Document Number D6-54996, ``Aging Airplane Service Bulletin 
Structural Modification and Inspection Program--Model 707/720,'' 
Revision D, dated January 23, 1992, be addressed in a single AD action, 
rather than in two different actions, as presently proposed by the FAA. 
This commenter points out that the FAA has issued a separate proposed 
AD, Docket 93-NM-80-AD (58 FR 53678, October 18, 1993), which would 
require the accomplishment of certain actions listed in section 4 and 
appendix A.4 of the Boeing Document, while this proposal (93-NM-82-AD) 
would require the accomplishment of actions referenced in appendix A, 
section A.3. The commenter contends that by issuing a single AD to 
cover both sections of the Boeing Document, the FAA will contribute to 
reducing the cost and complexity of publishing and tracking multiple 
AD's, while maintaining the same level of safety.
    -The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request, specifically 
because of the nature of the requirements of the currently proposed 
rules. The actions proposed in Docket 93-NM-80-AD address structural 
inspections of both the Model 707 and Model 720, which are listed in 
section 4 and appendix A.4 of the Boeing Document. Those inspection 
actions entail various compliance times for implementation and a 
specified ``phase-in'' period for repetitive inspection intervals. On 
the other hand, the action proposed by this AD addresses a single 
modification of only Model 707 series airplanes, which is listed in 
appendix A.3. of the Boeing Document. The modification action entails a 
specific compliance time for implementation based on either a flight 
cycle count or a calendar time limit. The FAA considers that to have 
combined the requirements for these dissimilar actions into one complex 
AD, would have created unnecessary confusion for affected operators. 
Therefore, as issued, there will be one AD addressing ``inspections 
only'' and another AD addressing the modification. This method of 
issuance will also ensure easier tracking of and proper compliance with 
the requirements of the AD's.
    -After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    -There are approximately 374 Model 707 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 70 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD within the 
initial threshold of 4 years. Approximately 194 work hours will be 
required to accomplish the modification, at an average labor charge of 
$55 per work hour. (This figure does not include downtime, planning, 
set up, familiarization, or tool acquisition costs.) The cost of the 
required modification kit is approximately $3,500 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators 
within the initial threshold of 4 years is estimated to be $991,900, or 
$14,170 per airplane.
    -The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    -The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    -For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    -1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as 
follows:


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    -2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:


94-06-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-8856. Docket 93-NM-82-AD.

     -Applicability: Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, and -400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category. -
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. -
    To prevent reduced structural integrity of the wing, accomplish 
the following: -
    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles or 
within the next 4 years after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, accomplish the structural modification 
specified in Appendix A., Section A.3., of Boeing Document Number 
D6-54996, ``Aging Airplane Service Bulletin Structural Modification 
and Inspection Program--Model 707/720,'' Revision D, dated January 
23, 1992.

    Note 1: Appendix A., Section A.3., of Boeing Document Number D6-
54996 references Boeing Service Bulletin 3475 for procedures to 
modify the wing front spar lower chord at wing station 529.5.

     -Note 2: The modification required by this paragraph does not 
terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD unless that AD 
specifies that any such modification constitutes terminating action 
for the inspection requirements.

     -(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
    Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

     -Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

     -(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. -
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Document Number D6-54996, ``Aging Airplane Service Bulletin 
Structural Modification and Inspection Program--Model 707/720,'' 
Revision D, dated January 23, 1992, which contains the following 
list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Revision                                
          Page No.            symbol shown       Date shown on page     
                                 on page                                
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List of active pages, pages   D             (These pages are not dated.)
 c.1 and c.2.                                                           
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    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
Part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane 
Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. 
-
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 21, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 7, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5702 Filed 3-21-94; 8:45 am]
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