[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20157]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-106-AD; Amendment 39-9004; AD 94-17-09]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and -
400 Series Airplanes Equipped with BFGoodrich Evacuation Ramp/Slides

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and -400 series 
airplanes, that requires various modifications of certain evacuation 
ramp/slides. This amendment is prompted by reports of several 
evacuation ramp/slide malfunctions. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent delayed inflation of evacuation ramp/slides, 
which could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an 
emergency.

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

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from the BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, 
Sustaining Engineering, D/7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This 
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, 
Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East 
Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-
5338; fax (310) 988-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -
200, -300, and -400 series airplanes was published as a supplemental 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on March 
15, 1994 (59 FR 11940). That action proposed to require various 
modifications of certain evacuation ramp/slides. -
    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 proposed rule. -
    Another commenter requests that the proposed 24-month compliance 
time for modification of the ramp/slides be extended to 36 months so 
that it will coincide with affected operators' scheduled overhauls. The 
commenter points out that the manufacturer of the subject ramp/slides 
recommends a compliance time of 36 months. The commenter believes that 
safety will not be compromised if an extension is allowed. The FAA does 
not concur with the commenter's request. In developing an appropriate 
compliance time for this action, the FAA considered not only the degree 
of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, but 
the availability of required parts, the average utilization of the 
affected fleet, and normal maintenance schedules for timely 
accomplishment of the modification. The FAA finds that the proposed 24-
month compliance time represents the maximum interval of time allowable 
wherein the modifications can reasonably be accomplished and an 
acceptable level of safety can be maintained. Further, the FAA took 
into account the 36-month compliance time recommended by the 
manufacturer, as well as the number of days required for the rulemaking 
process; in consideration of these factors, the FAA finds that 24 
months after the effective date of this final rule will fall 
approximately at the same time for compliance as recommended by the 
manufacturer. -
    Another commenter requests that the proposed 24-month compliance 
time for modification be shortened to 6 months. This commenter believes 
that a shorter compliance time is necessary for continued safe 
operation of airplanes equipped with the affected ramp/slides. The FAA 
does not concur with the commenter's request. As explained above, the 
FAA considered many factors, including the safety implications, when 
developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD. After 
consideration of all the available information, the FAA cannot conclude 
that a reduction of the proposed compliance time, without prior notice 
and opportunity for public comment, is warranted. To reduce the 
compliance time of the AD would necessitate (under the provisions of 
the Administrative Procedure Act) reissuing the notice, reopening the 
period for public comment, considering additional comments received, 
and eventually issuing a final rule; the time required for that process 
may be as long as four additional months. In comparing the actual 
compliance date of the final rule after completing such a process to 
the compliance date of this final rule as issued, the increment in time 
is minimal. In light of this, and in consideration of the amount of 
time that has already elapsed since issuance of the original proposal, 
the FAA has determined that further delay of this final rule action is 
not appropriate. -
    Two commenters request that paragraph (a) of the proposed rule be 
revised to require accomplishment of the modifications specified only 
in paragraphs 2.C., 2.D.(2), 2.E., and 2.F. of the BFGoodrich service 
bulletin cited in the AD. The commenters believe that accomplishment of 
paragraph 2.G. of the service bulletin should be optional, since the 
modifications included in that paragraph are considered to be product 
improvements that are not associated with the addressed unsafe 
condition. One of these commenters, BFGoodrich, states that 
approximately 40 percent of the slide modification kits were shipped to 
operators prior to the issuance of the supplemental NPRM, and some 
operators may not have accomplished the modifications specified in 
paragraph 2.G. of the service bulletin. The commenter expresses a 
concern that a requirement to accomplish that paragraph would result in 
additional costs and unscheduled removal and maintenance actions for 
operators. -
    The FAA concurs with the commenters' request, and has revised 
paragraph (a) of the final rule to specify that accomplishment of the 
product improvement modifications specified in paragraph 2.G. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin is not required by 
this AD. -
    Two commenters request that the proposal be revised to cite the 
latest revision to the BFGoodrich service bulletin specified in the AD 
and to reference Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3028. The FAA concurs. 
Since the issuance of the supplemental NPRM, the FAA has reviewed and 
approved Revision 2 of BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1418-25-253, dated 
April 15, 1994, which corrects certain typographical errors that 
appeared in Revision 1 of that service bulletin and references the 
Boeing service bulletin. The Boeing service bulletin describes 
procedures for an alternative method of modifying of the packboard and 
girt. Paragraph (a) of the final rule has been revised to cite the 
latest revision of the service bulletin as an additional source of 
service information. Further, ``NOTE 2'' has been added to paragraph 
(a) of the final rule to reference Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3028 
as an additional source of service information for modifying the 
packboard and girt. -
    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 with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    There are approximately 1,100 BFGoodrich ramp/slides of the 
affected design installed on Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, and -400 
series airplanes in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 300 of 
these subject ramp/slides are installed on Boeing Model 747-100, -200, 
-300, and -400 series airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected 
by this AD. It will take approximately 22 work hours per ramp/slide to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $55 per 
work hour. Required parts will be provided by the ramp/slide 
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $363,000, or 
$1,210 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.
    However, the FAA has been advised that 40 percent of the required 
modification kits have been delivered to airlines having airplanes 
affected by this AD. From this information, the FAA can assume that 40 
percent of the affected fleet already have been modified in accordance 
with the requirements of this AD. Therefore, the future economic cost 
impact of this rule on U.S. operators is expected to be 40 percent less 
than the ``total cost impact'' figure indicated above.
    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 part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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:

94-17-09 Boeing: Amendment 39-9004. Docket 93-NM-106-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-100, -200, -300, and -400 series 
airplanes equipped with BFGoodrich evacuation ramp/slides; as listed 
in BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1418-25-253, dated April 28, 1993, 
or Revision 2, dated April 15, 1994; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent delayed inflation of evacuation ramp/slides, which 
could delay or impede the evacuation of passengers during an 
emergency, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the door 3 offwing evacuation ramp/slide, part number 7A1418-(  ), 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 7A1418-25-253, dated April 28, 1993; or Revision 2, 
dated April 15, 1994; as applicable. Accomplishment of the product 
improvement modifications specified in paragraph 2.G. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin is not required 
by this AD.

    Note 1: Modification of the reservoir assembly (part number 
4A3416-1) to the part number 4A3416-3 configuration, as specified in 
paragraph 2.D.(1) of the service bulletin, is required currently by 
AD 91-25-02, Amendment 39-8103 (56 FR 63629, December 5, 1991).

    Note 2: BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1418-25-253, Revision 2, 
dated April 15, 1994, references Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-
3028, dated August 26, 1993, as an additional source of service 
information for modification of the packboard and girt.

    (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, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles ACO.

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

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
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 BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 7A1418-25-253, dated April 28, 1993; or BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 7A1418-25-253, Revision 2, dated April 15, 1994. 
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 the BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft 
Evacuation Systems, Sustaining Engineering, D/7916, Phoenix, Arizona 
85040. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 21, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 11, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-20157 Filed 8-19-94; 8:45 am]
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